[FRENCH & INDIAN WAR]. ABERCROMBY, James (1706-1781), General, British Army. Letter signed ("James Abercromby") as British Commander-in-Chief in America, to Peter Schuyler in Montreal; "Camp at Lake George" [Fort William Henry?], 12 August 1758. 2½ pages, folio. Fine. Rare. A very interesting letter from the British Commander-in-Chief whose army of 16,000 (including Major Robert Rogers and his Rangers) had been severely mauled by a French garrison under Montcalm in an attack on Fort Ticonderoga a month earlier (July 8). Here, having withdrawn to Lake George, Abercromby writes to Schuyler in Montreal, regarding prisoner exchanges with the French Governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil. Abercromby writes: "I learnt with great satisfaction of...the kind reception and treatment you have met with from the Marquis de Vaudreuil...I expected no otherwise from their known Civility, which you may assure them I shall not fail to return, to those of their Troops whom the Fate of War, has put into my Custody. I am likewise glad to hear that your fellow captives are well...acquaint them that nothing shall be wanting on my side to procure them their Liberty." He empowers Schuyler to "receive from...Vaudreuil a list of our Officers and Prisoners in Canada, & to see in what Manner he proposes they should be exchanged." Since Vaudreuil "has promised not to adhere too scrupulously to Equalities of Rank" he instructs Schuyler to be equally flexible. He details certain provisions to be observed, then advises that, once agreements for a general exchange have been reached, "I shall collect all the Prisoners, and we shall then fix on a Time and Place to make the Exchange;" but "I shou'd think that the best Way wou'd be to begin with the Officers...consequently, I shall soon have the pleasure of seeing you and the Rest of the Gentlemen...."