Prisoner Exchange and Parole in the American Revolution

Abstract

HE American Revolution could have provided a perfect example of how prisoners of war might be exchanged or paroled. Conditions were right for smooth operation of such a program. The two sides had, in words of John Adams, the same language, a similar religion, and kindred blood.1 Moreover, each side found prisoner management difficult, although numbers were not overwhelming and honor system for parolees was generally respected. Yet, for most of war, efforts to formalize exchange and parole of prisoners went badly. At time, British intransigence at negotiating table, particularly in refusing to recognize Independence of United States, was most often cited as principal cause of failure to achieve a reasonable exchange policy. But a close look at record indicates that Congress was at least equally at fault.2 European countries in late eighteenth century usually had agreements or cartels outlining, among other things, exchange and parole procedures to be followed during wartime. There was no such cartel between Great Britain and country it refused to recognize.3 Releases