the American army. General Howe replied that General Lee was a deserter
from his majesty's service, and could not be considered as a prisoner
of war nor come within the conditions of the cartel. A fruitless
discussion ensued between the Commanders-in-Chief. Congress took up the
matter and resolved that General Washington be directed to inform
General Howe, that should the proffered exchange of six Hessian field
officers for General Lee not be accepted, and his former treatment
continued, the principle of retaliation shall occasion five of the
Hessian field officers, together with Lieut. Col. Archibald Campbell,
or any other officers that are or shall be in possession of equivalent
in number or quality, to be detained, in order that the treatment which
General Lee shall receive may be exactly inflicted upon their persons.
Congress also ordered a copy of their resolution to be transmitted to
the Council of Massachusetts Bay, and that they be desired to detain
Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, and keep him in close custody till the
further orders of Congress, and that a copy be also sent to the
committee of Congress, in Philadelphia, and that they be desired to
have the prisoners, officers, and privates lately taken properly
secured in some safe place.

Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell of the Seventy-first Regiment, with about
270 of his men, had been made prisoner in the bay of Boston, while
sailing for the harbor, ignorant of the evacuation of the town by the
British. Hitherto the colonel had been civilly treated; but, on
receiving the order of Congress respecting him, the Council of
Massachusetts Bay, instead of simply keeping him in safe custody,
according to order, sent him to Concord jail, and lodged him in a
filthy and loathsome dungeon, about twelve or thirteen feet square. He
was locked in by double bolts and expressly prohibited from entering
the prison yard on any consideration whatever. A disgusting hole,