[Pho]

I haven't read all the posts, but everyone is correct to a point, so I hope this is not a repeat. More specifically,

Aggrieved Status means you feel shorted, slighted, or used in an un-gentlemanly-like manner. If you were offered Aggrieved Status and accepted, you were afforded the right of getting ONE specific thing you asked for. In contrast, the other party was given an unspoken Aggrieved Status opportunity and the right of claim to whatever they wanted. It was gentleman-like and salutary and only an officer could negotiate in this manner.

Like Benjamin Martin said earlier, he could use pride as a weapon against Cornwallis. And it worked. Martin gave him first choice and right away Cornwallis chose to get his things back, so whoever said above that "Martin played Cornwallis" was nail-on-the-head-correct. Martin had a caveat up his sleave in betting Cornwallis would not honor the negotiations.