January 21, 1782: Halifax

Periodically throughout the American War of Independence, American newspapers reported on prisoner exchanges involving Americans detained by British forces in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  The January 21, 1782 issue of The Independent Ledger , and the American Advertiser (Boston) carried a report under the dateline of Salem, Massachusetts, January 17:  “Since our last [that is, since the issue of Monday, January 14] a Cartel arrived from Halifax, with upwards of 100 prisoners, many of them in a very emaciated, sickly condition.  Five of the number which came out, died on the passage.”