Feb. 2, 1776
Two days after receiving a letter from Gen. George Washington, British Gen. William Howe writes back, refusing Washington’s request for the release of James Lovell.
Lovell was a teacher at the Boston Latin School, where his father had been headmaster for nearly 40 years. Lovell parted ways with his father, a loyalist, when he joined the rebels in 1775. He would go on to be held by Howe for the entire duration of the Siege of Boston — nearly 18 months.
When the British evacuated Boston, Howe took Lovell with him. The teacher was finally exchanged in November 1776.
In his letter, Howe writes that he discovered Lovell was carrying on a “prohibited Correspondence,” thereby revoking the liberty he had initially intended to grant him.
During the Revolutionary War, the subject of prisoners of war was contentious. The rebels were considered traitors. Accordingly, they were treated harshly, often living in unsanitary conditions in makeshift prison facilities. This caused more deaths than actual combat.
Tellingly, in their correspondence, Howe refused to address Washington as a general.
Major General William Howe to George Washington, 2 February 1776
Boston 2d February 1776
Sir
In Answer to your Letter of the 30th Ulto which was delivered with the Seal broken, I am to acquaint you, that having lately discovered a prohibited Correspondence to be carried on by Mr James Lovell, the Liberty, which I fully intended to have given him, cannot take Place. I am, Sir, your most humble Servant
W. Howe