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Washington's surrender letter emerges in London
23 Jun
Summary
- A letter accepting British surrender from 1781 is now displayed.
- The document led to the 1783 Treaty of Paris and US independence.
- It's part of an exhibition tracing America's independence story.
A significant historical document, George Washington's letter accepting British surrender, has been unveiled for the first time in London. Dated October 1781, following the British defeat at Yorktown, Virginia, this letter marked the beginning of the end of the American Revolutionary War.
Its exhibition at The National Archives in Kew is part of "Revolution 250: America's Independence Story, 1763-1783." The letter was instrumental in setting in motion the negotiations that culminated in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, where Britain officially recognized the independence of the United States.
Originally given to Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis, the letter remained within his family's archive until its presentation to the Public Record Office in 1880. Curator Dr. Sean Cunningham highlighted its profound impact, stating it represented the moment Britain accepted the reality of American independence.
The exhibition also features other key documents, such as the Stamp Act, Tea Act, and accounts of the Boston Tea Party, providing a comprehensive look at the birth of the United States from both American and British perspectives.
