On This Day: Washington proposes a prisoner exchange with British General William Howe

The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Jan. 30, 1776

Cambridge, Massachusetts

From Cambridge, Gen. George Washington writes to Maj. Gen. William Howe, proposing a prisoner exchange. Washington does so under explicit orders from Congress.

Howe came from a prominent and well-connected family. He was educated by tutors, then spent four years at Eton College, and subsequently followed both of his brothers into military service to the crown. Howe spent extensive time in both Canada and the Caribbean during the French and Indian War. Ironically, that conflict, also