I received your favor of the 26th Ulto. the 1st inst.(1) In answer thereto, I beg leave to observe, That all the gentlemen now prisoners at St. Augustine, were either acting as officers in the militia; or as private soldiers, at the time they were made prisoners. And I cannot conceive they can be looked upon, in any other light, than that in which they acted at the time of their captivity. Indeed by the capitulation of Charles Town, this is a point clearly decided. I conceive when the people of a country, lay aside the characters of citizens, and assume that of soldiers, through the whole course of the accidents of war, they are to be considered according to their military rank only, that of the citizen being absorbed in that of the soldier.
For instance, all the British officers taken in America, who have been members of their parliament, or House of Lords, have not been considered as such, at the time of exchange, but simply in the ranks they have held in their army. Genl. Burgoyne was a Governor, he was never considered in all the Cartels that have been propos'd in any other light than as a Genl. officer. Several other officers, I believe, have held civil commissions, independent of their seats in parliament.
From these considerations, I cannot think Sr. Henry Clinton, can have an Idea of holding those gentlemen at St. Augustine, by any other characters than those they respectively held in the military line at the time of their capture. Should your Excellency find this objection started by Sr. H. Clinton, in the course of your negotiations, I think Congress should be immediately acquainted with it, that they might be enabled to take their measures accordingly.
If they can bring any criminal charge against those gentlemen, let them exhibit them. And if the charge is proved, they must suffer, if not, it is high time, that justice should be done them. Congress cannot with honor, longer delay it. A speedy exchange, has hitherto been the only cause of it's being suspended.
I am, Dear sir, with the highest respect & every sentiment of the most sincere Esteem & regard, yr. Excys. most Obedt. servt.
Jno. Mathews
(1) Washington's February 26 letter concerning the difficulty inherent in negotiating the exchange of prisoners at St. Augustine because of their "eminence in the Civil line" is in Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 21:303. For Congress' recent instructions to the commander-in-chief on the exchange of prisoners, see Samuel Huntington to Washington, January 2, 1781, note 1.