u
learned that she was the Daughter of decent family in
Pensilvania[23] captured by the Indians at 10 years of age, your
Humanity opposed itself to the barbarous Claim of her Master and
you Promised that she should be returned to her Parents by the
first Flag with Prisoners.

"In consequence of such a Promise," continued he, "the Child had
been taught to expect a speedy release from her Bondage, and,
finding that her Name was in the List permitted by his Excellency
to cross the Lines with a flag from St. Johns,[24] she imagined
that there could be no Obstacle to her Return; but, being
informed that Mr. Campbell had threatened to give her back to the
Indians, she eloped last Evening, and took refuge in my House
from whence a female Prisoner, (sometime a nurse to my children)
was to sett off this Morning for the Neighborhood of the Child's
Parents. Upon Application from Mr. Campbell to Brigadr. Genl. De
Speht setting forth that He had furnished her with money, an
order was obtained for the delivery of the Child to her Master
and there was no time for any other Accommodation than an
undertaking on my part to reimburse Mr. Campbell the Price he
paid for her to the Indians. This I am to do on his producing a
Certificate from some Military Gentleman, whom he says was
present at the Sale. I have no objection to an Act of Charity of
this Nature, but _all Political Considerations aside_, I am of
opinion that the national Honor is interested, that this
Redemption should not be the Act of an Individual. As Commissary
of Prisoners I have stated the Case to you, Sir, that you may
determine upon the propriety of reimbursing me, or not, the sum I
may be obliged to pay on this occasion.

"That all may be fairly stated I should observe that the Child
was never returned a Prisoner,[25] nor has drawn Provisions as
such--although there can be no doubt of her political character,
having been captured by our Savages."

The reply to this communication was:

"I am favored with your's by Saturday's post and have since layed
it before His Excellency the Commander in Chief, and I have the
Pleasure to inform you that he approves much of your Conduct and
feels himself obliged for your very humane Interposition to
rescue the poor unfortunate Sarah Cole from the C