George Washington’s letter accepting British surrender in America goes on display in London

In faded cursive handwriting, George Washington accepts British surrender in a note that helped pave the way for the independence of America.

LONDON — A letter signed by George Washington accepting the British surrender, which helped pave the way for America’s independence, will go on display for the first time in London on Wednesday.

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The letter, written in October 1781 and showcasing the Founding Father’s faded cursive handwriting, will be featured as part of the “Revolution 250: America’s Independence Story, 1763–1783” exhibition at The National Archives.

The note was dictated and signed by Washington and given to Charles Cornwallis, Britain’s lieutenant general commanding the southern campaign, in Yorktown, Virginia, following the British request to end hostilities to agree to the terms of its surrender.