[boogiedowndonovan]

I was watching the Mel Gibson movie "The Patriot" a few nights ago and had a question about some dialogue and negotiations procedures and protocol in the 18th century.

at one point, Mel Gibson's character Benjamin Martin negotiates with Cornwallis for return of captured militia men in exchange for personal effects and correspondence that Martin seized earlier. At the beginning of the negotiations, Cornwallis gives Martin the opportunity to start the negotiations:

"Would you, as the initiating officer, care to begin?"

Martin replies:

" I will, unless you'd like to claim aggrieved status."

And Cornwallis claims aggrieved status.

"Yes I would"

and then goes on to request his personal stuff back.

Anyone know if negotiations back then were this formal? Was there a protocol and procedure? and is "aggrieved status" something that a commander could request or something made up by Hollywood?