Title: From Henry Sewall to David Humphreys, 12 June 1782
From: Sewall, Henry
To: Humphreys, David

                     Dear Sir
                     Highlands June 12. 1782.

                  I have been favored with yours of yesterday respecting colonel
                     Popkin’s going on the recruiting service.
                  Inclosed is a copy of the letter I wrote major Wyllys respecting
                     the flag at the New-bridge. The dragoon notwithstanding receiving those
                     directions, had at Dobb’s ferry told capt. Pray he was directed to call and
                     deliver the letters there, and accordingly did deliver them to captain Pray, who forwarded them to general Heath; in
                     consequence of which I wrote him the 9th instant (a copy of which is enclosed)
                     and returned the letters.
                  The Officers at Kings ferry express some apprehensions of danger
                     to the magazine from the lightning—The quartermaster will furnish rods for the
                     purpose, if it meets with the approbation of the commander in chief. I am with
                     respect Dear sir Your most obedt servt

                     H. Sewall
                     Aid de Camp

                     P.S. Inclosed is also a letter from major Villefranche,
                        which general Heath has just received—Please to lay it before His
                        Excellency.


Title: To George Washington from Philip Van Cortlandt, 12 June 1782
From: Van Cortlandt, Philip
To: Washington, George

                  Dear General

                     New York line near Pumpton June 12. 1782

                  After the York line was Inspected I accompanied Colonel Stewart
                     to see the Inspections of the Jersey line, and was there informed that it was
                     your Excellencys pleasure that a certain Abraham Cadmum who had a few days
                     before come to me and desired to be kept in Confinement (and who I had left in
                     Charge with Lieut. Colo. Cochran to be delivered to the Order of Colonel Ogden)
                     was to be sent to Head Quarters; and at same time was served with a Writ of
                     Habeus Corpus to have Cadmus (who was supposed to be in my Custody) sent to the
                     Court Chamber in Morris Town—all which the Colonels Dayton and Ogden were
                     acquainted with—and I then desired Colonel Ogden to write very Particularly to
                     Lieut. Colo. Cochran and to Order Cadmus sent under guard to Head Quarters,
                     this being done I was perfectly assured in my mind that the writ which was
                     served upon me could have no Effect and that the man would be sent on agreable
                     to your pleasure but upon my Arrival which was Yesterday I was Informed that
                     Cadmus had made his Escape and no Account can be had of him; I have already
                     sent to Colo. Ogden and requested that private Orders be given to the Troops at
                     NewArk to have him Apprehended if possible; I am with all respect your
                     Excellencys Obd. & Hume Sert

                     P. Cortlandt


Title: To George Washington from William Jackson, 13 June 1782
From: Jackson, William
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     War Office June 13. 1782

                  In the absence of the Secretary at War I have the honor to
                     acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s letters of the 4th, 5th and 9th
                     instant— & the muster returns.
                  The Clothier General informs me that he has about three thousand
                     frocks ready and would be able to complete the whole in three weeks were he
                     furnished with money to pay the Workmen.
                  I have represented to Mr Morris your Excellency’s request that
                     the frocks might be forwarded—he tells me there is not a shilling which he can
                     at present apply to this purpose, although he is persuaded it is a very
                     necessary measure.
                  I have the honor to transmit a letter from the Minister of France
                     in answer to one from your Excellency accompanying the congratulatory address,
                     which has been presented.
                  General Lincoln’s presence at Head-Quarters renders it
                     unnecessary to reply to such parts of your Excellency’s letters as he will have
                     already explained.
                  Your directions respecting the letter to General Hazen will be
                     punctually observed. I have the honor to be, with the most perfect respect and
                     Esteem, Your Excellency’s obedient humble servant

                     W. Jackson
                     Assist Secy at War


Title: General Orders, 14 June 1782
From: Washington, George
To:

                      Friday. June. 14th 1782.
                     Parole
                     C. Signs.

                     Great credit is due to the Officers and men of the tenth
                     Massachusetts Regiment for their attention to the preservation of their
                     cloathing, and for the Military appearance they made yesterday under Arms—The
                     Light Company attracted the Generals particular Notice.


Title: From George Washington to John Greaton, 14 June 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Greaton, John

                     To Colo. Greaton
                   14 June 1782
                  With your Regt you are to receive the Garrisons of the Posts at
                     Dobbs & King’s Ferries, those at the latter, viz., Stony &
                     Verplanks Points, are to be relieved by whole Companies, consisting, as nearly
                     as may be, of the same number of Men which are now Stationed there, with these
                     you will leave a Field Officer; and proceed yourself with the remainder of the
                     Regt to the Post of Dobb’s ferry, where you will relieve the Garrison of the
                     Block House in such manner as you shall judge proper, and encamp the rest of
                     your Regt immediately under the cover of the Block House.
                  As the mode of doing Duty by Corps enables an Officer to have his
                     Men constantly under his own eye, & to be responsible for their
                     behaivour; I must recommend that you will be perticularly attentive to the
                     dicipline & good Order of your Regt, that where it is impracticable to
                     exercise & manouvre the Men collectively, you will have them instructed
                     and practised in the use of Arms by detail.
                  To keep up the reputation of the Corps, it will be essential to
                     preserve the utmost regularity, to prevent any abuses of the Persons or
                     Property of the Inhabitants, & to restrain the Soldiers from straggling
                     without permission from their Quarters.
                  Every possible precaution should be made use of to prevent
                     desertion, if it should begin to prevail, the Rolls must be called every hour
                     in the day time, and the Quarters or Tents must be visited, by an Officer or
                     non-commissioned Officer, every hour in the night; besides which Patroles
                     & small Scouts of trusty Men, should be frequently sent out, as well
                     for the sake of apprehending Deserters, as to prevent surprise from the Enemy;
                     For notwithstanding all the pacific expressions of the British, you are hereby
                     strictly directed to make use of the utmost vigilance, & not put any
                     confidence in their pretended plan of defensive War, for should there be an
                     oppertunity of making a stroke at you, with a probability of success, you may
                     depend upon it the enemy would instantly seize the occasion.
                  As the Post of Dobbs ferry is now the only avenue of intercourse
                     with the Enemy, by Flags, and as there is great danger the same illicit
                     practises may prevail there which have taken place at other Posts of the same
                     kind; a principle object of your Command is to prevent, absolutely, all kind of
                     commerce or illegal communications with the Enemy.
                  All Flags from the Enemy are to be stopped at your out Post, the
                     dispatches there received from them, & the Flags sent back as soon as
                     the business is performed; a guard with an Officer or non-commissioned Officer
                     should always, in the meantime, be kept on board.
                  No Military Character from the Enemy, is to be permitted to land,
                     nor is any Citizen or private person to be suffered to come within our Lines,
                     untill permission, in writing for that purpose, shall be obtained from the
                     Executive of the State into which he or she is desireous of passing.
                  No Passport is to be deemed sufficient for granting a Flag to
                     pass to the Enemies Lines, but from Congress, the Secretary at War, the
                     Executives of the States or Major Genel Heath; except you shall receive
                     perticular Instructions from me to the contrary.
                  Capt. Prey who has long commanded at that Post, & who has
                     acquitted himself, in that service with great reputation, is still to retain
                     the command of the Water Guard; he will undoubtedly be able to give you every
                     usefull information respecting the state of the Country, the disposition
                     & character of the individuals, and the sources of intelligence from
                     the Enemy; I wish you on the other hand to give him every aid in your power for
                     promoting the service, & if necessary, that you will furnish him with
                     some oarsmen for the additional Boat or Boats he may be supplied with; these
                     Men to remain on that Duty only untill your Regt shall be relieved.
                  On any emergency, for which perticular directions cannot be
                     given, you are to act agreeably to the best of your discretion.
                  You will be pleased to communicate to me immediately, every
                     extraordinary occurrence, together with any intelligence perticularly of the
                     State, strength or movement of the Enemy, which you may obtain.
                  Upon your being relieved, you will deliver over these
                     Instructions to the relieving Officer, as a standing Regulation for the
                     direction of the Commandant at the beforementioned Posts; and on your arrival
                     in Camp, will make a general Report to me in writing, of your Command, noteing
                     the casualties, and every other remarkable event within the sphere of your
                     observation. Given at Head Quarters Newburgh June 14th 1782.


Title: To George Washington from William Heath, 14 June 1782
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

                     Dear General,
                     Highlands June 14. 1782.

                  Majors Gibbs and Rice, it is said, were admitted into the
                     Massachusetts line by the consent of the field officers, upon certain
                     conditions. A dispute has arisen respecting their right to rank and command.
                     Several of the aggrieved have requested that the field officers of the line may
                     hear and determine the dispute. It appears necessary that it should be done. I
                     wish to know if your excellency has any objections to the field officers taking
                     the matter up and reporting thereon.
                  Enclosed is a letter from captain Pray, and a permission for
                     several persons to go into New York, signed by a deputy commissary of
                     prisoners. Are they to go in?
                  I forward a deserter from Thomson’s corps. I request a furlough
                     for the soldier recommended by the inspector-general, if your excellency thinks
                     proper; his health requires it.
                  Colonel Popkin sets out for the eastward this morning, to relieve
                     major Pettengill at Boston. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect
                     Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant,

                     W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from Jedediah Huntington, 14 June 1782
From: Huntington, Jedediah
To: Washington, George

                     Dear Sir,
                     Wethersfield June 14. 1782

                  The Legislature of this state have laid a Tax of one shilling on
                     the Pound estimated at about 70.000 payable 1st July to complete the two first
                     Quarterly Payments to the financier General—Provision for the other two
                     Quarters is left to the Consideration of the next Assembly.
                  There is one, & but one, hopeful Symtom in the Body
                     politic here, and that is the Members are more & more sensible of the
                     necessity of a general System—their Languor is alarming.
                  As to the two Regiments of Militia to be held in Readiness—I
                     cannot say what the Spur of the Occasion may produce in Case of a Seige—but if
                     they are called upon before I do not imagine we should see a Fifth Part of them
                     in the field. I did my self the Honor of writing your Excellency by last Post.
                     I am most respectfully, your Excellencys most obedt Servant

                     Jed. Huntington

                     P.S. Hartford Conn. The Assembly will
                        rise this Day or tomorrow—they have thought proper to delay Execution
                        against the delinquent Classes until the 10th July—no more has been said of
                        making Militia Officers Muster masters.
                     The Officers, who succeeded to the Vacancies of those who some
                        time ago retired by leave of the Board of War, are finally confirmed by the
                        Gov: & Commit. of Safety. I am &c.


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, Jr., 14 June 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Johnson, Thomas, Jr.

                     sir
                     Head Quarters 14th June
                     1782

                  I have received your favor ⅌ Capt. Baily—and thank you for the
                     Information contained—& would beg you to continue your Communication whenever
                     you shall collect any Intelligence you shall think of Importance.
                  It would give me real pleasure to have it in my power to effect
                     your Exchange—but some unhappy Circumstances have lately taken place, which for
                     the present cut off all Exchange—If you can fall upon aney Mode to accomplish
                     your Wishes in which I can with propriety give you my Assistance, I shall be
                     very glad to afford it. I am sir &c.


Title: To George Washington from Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 14 June 1782
From: La Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de
To: Washington, George

                        Monsieur
                        A Philadelphie le 14 Juin 1782.

                     J’ai l’honneur d’envoyer à Votre Excellence Copie d’une lettre
                        que je viens d’ecrire à M. le Cte de Rochambeau et un paquet que Ce général
                        m’a fait parvenir à votre adresse. Je suis avec le plus respectueux et le plus sincere
                        attachement Monsieur De Votre Excellence Le três humble et três Obeissant
                        Serviteur

                        Le che. de la luzerne

                  TranslationPhiladelphia 14 Junr 82Sir,
                     I have the honor to transmit your Excellency Copy of a Letter
                        I have just written Count Rochambeau and a packet that the Genl sent me to
                        your address. I am &c.

                        le Chev. de la luzerne

                Enclosure

                           14 June 1782

                     Copy of a Letter from the Chevalier de la luzerne to Count
                        Rochambeau dated 14 June 1782.
                     My Dr Gnl
                     I have just received your Letter of the 8th of this Month and
                        the packets which accompanied it—I have not now time to reply to it, as I
                        profit from an Express on the point of departure, and which I cannot detain.
                     The movements of the English Troops at New York, indicate an
                        intention of sending off detachments from that Garrison—It is even possible
                        (tho’ not very probable) that they propose to evacuate that place—either to
                        reinforce the English Islands or to act offensively against the Conquered
                        Islands, which will not be in so good aSstate of defence as our ancient
                        possessions—this last supposition cannot take place, unless they retain
                        their superiority—and although I hope that this will not be the case, it is
                        however but prudent, my Dear General, to be in readiness against every
                        event. The most sure means of preventing the Enemy from making any
                        Detachment from New York, is to approach that place, and to give a Jealousy, to
                        Genl Carleton of a combined attack—Congress regards the matter in this
                        light, and thinks that Genl Washington will make a movement towards New
                        York, in case such a measure is agreeable to his designs, or to the
                        intelligence he may have—I am ignorant what steps he will take in this
                        conjuncture. It is possible that he may think it proper not to quit his
                        present station till he hears that you approach. In all cases the Enemy will
                        be cauteous of weakening themselves, if they hear that you are on the march
                        to form a Junction. I submit these Ideas to you, my Dear General, and am persuaded
                        that you will take such measures as are most advantageous.
                     We have news, which I have no reason to believe, that M. de la
                        Motte Piquet is not far distant from these Coasts.


Title: From George Washington to Archibald Cary, 15 June 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Cary, Archibald

                     My dear Sir,
                     Head Qrs Newburgh 15th June 1782

                  I have been honored with your favor of the 25th Ulto Inclosing
                     sundry resolutions of your Assembly respecting the insiduous Manoeuvres of the
                     enemy, who, it is evident, cannot mean well, because they take indirect steps
                     to obtain that, to which a plain road is opened; and every good Man is desirous
                     of obtaining upon honourable terms.
                  I thank you my good Sir for the resolves, wch you did me the honr
                     to inclose—they breathe a proper spirit—& with others of a like kind in
                     the different Assemblies will, it is to be hoped, convince the enemy that it is
                     both their interest and policy to be honest—I very sincerely condole with you
                     on your late heavy loss, but he that gave has a right to take away, and it is
                     the duty of us all, to submit to his will altho’ we
                     cannot but feel the strokes we sustain.
                  I should have been very happy to have seen you while I was in
                     Virginia, if it had been but for a moment—indeed the pleasure must have been
                     momentary—for my hours all the while I was in that State were so occupied by
                     the constant duties of my station that I could devote no part of them to the
                     enjoyment of my friends which was not only mortifying to me, but, probably
                     displeasing to some of them.
                  It gives me much pleasure to learn from so good authority as your
                     pen, that the Assembly of Virginia is better composed than it has been for
                     several years—much I think may be expected from it—the path we are to tread is
                     certainly a plain one—the object is full in our view—but it will not come to
                     us, we must work our way to it by proper advances and the means of doing this
                     is Men and Money—In vain is it to expect, that our aim is to be accomplished by
                     fond wishes for Peace—and equally ungenerous as fruitless will it be, for one
                     State to depend upon another to bring this to pass; for if I may be allowed to
                     speak figuratively, our Assemblies in Politics are to be compared to the
                     Wheels of a Clock in Mechanics—the whole for the general purposes of War shd be
                     set in motion by the grt Wheel (Congress) & if all will do their parts the
                     Machine works easy but a failure in one disorders the whole—& without
                     the large one (wch set the whole in mo’tn) nothing can be done—it is by the
                     united wisdom & exertions of the whole, in Congress, who, I presume, do
                     justice to all (but if they fail by being disproportionate in the first
                     instance it should in my opinion be saught for & remedied in the second
                     rather than derange the whole business of a Campaign
                     by the delays incident to contention) that we are to depend upon. without this,
                     we are no better than a rope of Sand and are as easily broken asunder.
                  I write thus openly, and freely to you my dear Sir, because I
                     pant for retirement, and am perswaded that an end of our warfare is not to be
                     obtained but by vigorous exertions—the subjugation of America so far at least
                     as to hold it in a dependt State is of too much importance to Great Britain to
                     yield the palm to us whilst her Resources exist, or our inactivity, want of
                     system or dependence upon other Powers or upon one another prevail—I can
                     truely say that the first wish of my Soul is to return speedily into the bosom
                     of that Country which gave me birth and in the sweet enjoyment of demestick
                     pleasures and the company of a few Friends to end my days in quiet, when I
                     shall be called from this Stage. With great truth and sincerity I am Dr Sir Yr
                     Obedt & Affecte Sev..

                     Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Comfort Sands, 15 June 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Sands, Comfort,Livingston, Walter

                     Gentn
                     Head Qrs Newburgh 15th June 1782.

                  Under the present prospect of the Campaign, and a full
                     consideration of all Circumstances, I do, agreeably to the powers vested in me
                     by the Contract for the moving Army, fix upon West point as a Magizine of
                     Provision—& wish you to exert yourselves in laying them in accordingly,
                     (except the Salted Meat) at that place.
                  I think it incumbent on me to advertise you, that your estimate
                     of fourteen thousand Rations daily, I conceive to be inadequate to our certain
                     wants and may, eventually, be greatly short of the demand, if the Army should
                     be encreased for offensive operations in this Quarter. I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt
                     Sert

                     Go: Washington

                        To Comfort Sands, Walter Livingston and others


Title: To George Washington from William Heath, 15 June 1782
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

                     Dear General,
                     Highlands June 15 1782.

                  Enclosed your excellency will find two late New York papers and a
                     letter from captain Pray, just come to hand. I also forward two deserters. I
                     have the honor to be With the greatest respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient
                     servant,

                     W. Heath

                Enclosure

                        Dear General,
                        Garrison Dobbs Ferry 15th June
                        1782

                     Inclosed are two York papers of the 12 & 14th Instant,
                     The day before yesterday the Enemy carried down thirty Waggons
                        loads of Baggage of the Troops on the uper end of York Island.
                     It is particulalry talked among the Officers of the Troops
                        that they are Coming out to Encamp at Mile Square. The small Cannon which
                        they Brought up to Replace the heavy are very Inconsiderable to the Number
                        of large Cannon they Carried down. I saw a person who Came out of the City
                        yesterday who gave me the above Inteligence, which may
                        be depended upon.
                     The two deserters from the Ship who the bearer has the Care of
                        to your Honor I took on board my boat about one Mile above the Ship last
                        Evening about 11 aClock. Upon examination they will be able to give Your
                        Honor some Considerable Intiligence respecting the two
                        Vessels which was lately up. I have the Honor to be with Every Sentiment of
                        respect and Esteem Your Honor’s most Obedient and Very Humble Servant

                        Jno. Pray Capt.

                  NB. I shall be very glad if a few papers in exchange for


Title: To George Washington from William Heath, 15 June 1782
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

                     Dear General,
                     Highlands June 15 1782.

                  The enclosed came to hand this morning.
                  Captain Pray has been repeatedly importuning for an express horse
                     to convey up dispatches he receives—At some times he cannot spare a boat, and
                     it often happens that the wind is fresh down the river, which prevents a boat
                     getting up. To send by land is nearly thirty miles, which is rather too far for
                     a footman, at least to make a practice of it. I beg leave to submit the matter
                     to your excellency’s consideration.
                  I enclose a newspaper of the 7th sent up by captain Pray; it is
                     not so late as some sent heretofore, but may contain some things which were not
                     in the others. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect, Your
                     Excellency’s Most obedient servant,

                     W. Heath

                Enclosure

                        Dear General,
                        Garrison Dobbs Ferry 14th June
                        1782

                     The inclos’d I received Yesterday of a British Officer Charg’d
                        with a flag for the purpose.
                     I likewise deliver’d him a letter from His Excellency Genl
                        Washington to Sir Guy Carleton which I received the night before last to be
                        sent the first Oppertunity.
                     Inclos’d is a York paper of the 7th Inst. which like to have
                        been drownded Yesterday with me in Tappan Seas by a heavy Squall of wind.
                     Yesterday I had a Confirmation of What I Wrote Your Honor
                        Respecting the heavy Cannon being taken out of the
                        in the uper end of York Island and a few small pieces in their place.
                     I have Order’d the bearer of this (as well as that of
                        Yesterday) to Call on Major Campbell for a Horse agreable to Your Honors
                        Orders.
                     It is impossable but this duty must be neglected without we
                        have one.
                     I expect Some intiligince this Evening or Some time in the
                        Corse of 24 hours. I have the Honor to be with Every Sentiment of respect
                        Your Honors most obedient & most Humble Servant

                        Jno. Pray Captn


Title: To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 15 June 1782
From: McDougall, Alexander
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     Westpoint 15th June 1782.

                  I have studiously avoided troubling your Excellency, with
                     unnecessary Letters, since I have had the Honor of serving under your Orders.
                     It is to this motive, and not to neglect, that my silence to your Favors of the
                     2nd of March, and 1st of April is to be ascribed. I am however reluctantly
                     obliged, to trouble you with the Subject of this address; as well to justify my
                     Conduct, in objecting to the Court-Martial’s setting at FishKill, by Major General Heath’s Order, at the Time it was
                     summoned there; as to request some other papers from your recording Secretary.
                  The 6th Article of the Arrest charges me with an Offence, in
                     Conversation before the Field Officers of the Garrison; consequently they were
                     naturally to be Witnesses; and of this, General Heath; who formed the Arrest,
                     could not be ignorant; and another subject matter of the Arrest, rendered it
                     necessary, for the Engineer, Quarter Master and Commissary of the Garrison
                     also, to be Witnesses. Brigadier General Paterson was a Member of the Court.
                  Thus the Commandant, all the Field
                     Officers, and most of the other principal officers
                     of the Garrison were either Members of the Court, or Witnesses to attend it.
                     They were all so destitute of money, that the whole Massachusett’s Line could not muster
                     up a sufficient Sum to send one Officer of their
                     Line, to Congress, to get Accompts of their’s settled: Nor were any quarters
                     provided, either for the Court, or the numerous Army
                     Witnesses, who were to attend. By the assembling the Court at FishKill, the
                     Garrison was to be stripped of it’s Commandant, and all it’s principal Officers, without money to subsist themselves, or
                     quarters provided, and their poverty by that extraordinary and unjustifiable
                     Order, exposed to the Inhabitants, and that, twelve miles from the Center of
                     the Army, at a season when; the Navigation by reason of the Ice became extremely
                     precarious; so that when they were at Fishkill, or the East Side of the River
                     they would be detained many Days there, from the impassable State of the River,
                     however pressing the Call of Duty might be to
                     Westpoint; when no position was so convenient, in every respect, as this place.
                  From this State of facts, your Excellency may judge whether it
                     could be predicated of FishKill that it was "a
                     convenient place in it’s Vicinity," that is, in the Vicinity of Westpoint;
                     which are the Words of the after Order published at Philadelphia.
                  The calling the Court there was so inconvenient to all the
                     Members and Witnesses, so embarrassing to the Service, and so contrary to the
                     Letter and Spirit of your Excellency’s Order, for assembling the Court, that I
                     could not think of submitting to attend at FishKill. Besides those
                     Considerations the holding the Court there, would greatly lengthen out and delay the Trial; and a Delay of justice is a Denial
                     of Justice.
                  From this Detail it will be apparent to the Commander in Chief,
                     that "the Spirit of accommodating one another", or the Service, did not govern
                     General Heath, in ordering the Court to be holden at FishKill. I have taken the
                     Liberty to inclose a Certified Copy of his Orders on that Subject.
                  Your Excellency is pleased to say in your’s of the 2nd of March,
                     that, "it would be matter of Concern to you, that a practise should prevail of
                     publishing to the World, the Opinions which are given in Councils of War, as
                     you have always considered the Transactions of such Occasions to be under the
                     inviolable Sanction of Secrecy and Honor." Far be it from me, wantonly to add
                     to the Concern or cares of a Gentleman, already too much burdened with public
                     Cares: And it would give me pain to be in the least Degree the Cause of
                     imaginary Concern.
                  It is indisputable, that the general Opinion of a Council of War,
                     is to be kept secret, under the inviolable Sanction of Honor; till the Object
                     of such Opinion is attained; and so is the Opinion
                     of the several Members; for the same period, if the revealing of any of them
                     would defeat the End the Council had in Contemplation: And if the general
                     Opinion of the Council, or particular one of any of it’s Members, is founded on
                     any Secret of State; neither should be divulged at
                     any time when it may be injurious to the State. But
                     otherwise, I humbly conceive the general opinion of the Court and particular
                     one of any member, may be revealed; whenever the Object of the Deliberation is
                     obtained. And altho’ I can with great truth say that the Opinions of all
                     Councils I had the Honor of serving at, were kept
                     secret by me, ’till the Objects of them were
                     answered; yet I own I never considered myself bound in
                        Honor or Conscience any longer; unless any one of those Opinions was
                     connected with Secrets of State. The contrary principle carried to it’s fullest
                     Extent, might make a Council of War a secret
                     Conclave, against the State. For suppose a Member in Council should
                     express a treasonable Sentiment; shall it not be divulged? Besides the Military
                     Cabinet, will some time or other be opened, when all the Resolutions of our
                     Councils of War, will be disclosed. If it would be a Breach of honor to
                     disclose any of them now, except with the
                     restrictions I have mentioned, it would be a breach
                     then. But another Consideration offers itself on this Subject; Is it not the
                     Interest of the Country, of the supreme Council of it, to know the Weakness, or
                     Wickedness of any of their high Servants, discovered in Councils of War? I
                     humbly conceive it is: And two remarkable Instances countenance me in that Doctrine, and this Opinion; one which is handed
                     to us from the British Army, the other from our own. That from the British, is
                     from the Council of War held by General Wolfe, previous to his Landing on the
                     plains of Abraham; all the Members were opposed to the measure, but the General
                     himself, Brigadier Murray and Colonel Barry, the latter in the presence of the
                     Council, took a Copy of the Proceedings, with express Design, which he
                     declared, to give all the Honor of the measure, to General Wolfe, if he should
                     fall in the Action. That from our own, is inserted in the Trial of Major-General St
                     Clair; in which the Proceedings of two Councils of War, are inserted; and were
                     added by him: The Copies of which I have taken the Liberty to inclose.
                  I presume it will now appear to Your
                     Excellency, that in the qualified sense I have
                     mentioned, no Injury can arise to the States, or to any honest consistent
                     member of a Council of War, by his Opinion being made public. I have thus trespassed on your patience, in discussing that
                     subject, that you may be informed of the Reasons, which induced me to
                     communicate General Heath’s Opinion at the Council of war, held the 12th of
                     September 1776, as well as to justify myself in the
                     Request I made of a Copy of the Minutes of that Council. And I hope, the
                     Request I am now to make, to your Excellency, will not appear improper—It is
                     for two papers from your recording Secretary; a Certified Copy of General
                     Heath’s Letter to your Excellency, when the Army was before Boston; in which he
                        refused to take the
                     Command of a Corps destined to attack the Town of
                        Boston, which fell to him by Seniority, because
                     he was against the Measure in a Council of War; and a Copy of another Letter, of his to the Commander in Chief, dated from about the
                     25th of December 1776; to the 10th of January following, in which he reported
                     to your Excellency, General Lee’s having demanded of
                     him some of the Troops left with him at Peekskill at
                     that period; which General Heath absolutely refused;
                     because he had the particular Charge of that Post and the Troops given to him. Both these papers are of great
                     importance to me in my defence, or I should not give your Excellency any
                     trouble on this disagreeable Subject. If your Excellency will please to cause
                     the order to be made out, Major McDougall will call for it.
                  As your Excellency now commands this Army in person, I shall be
                     obliged to you for Liberty to visit the Legislature when they shall be
                     convened.
                  For the Reasons which I mentioned in a former Letter, I could not
                     think of leaving the proper limited Bounds of my Confinement on General Heath’s
                     Permission. The Charges I make against him are enclosed—Several others will be
                     added, when my Trial is compleated. ’Till then it may be improper to add, many
                     that will arise out of the Trial—I would have transmitted them immediately on
                     receiving your favor of the 1st of April; but as he had not then applied for
                     Leave of Absence as I expected he would; I imagined no time would be lost. I
                     have the Honor to be with great Truth Your Excellency’s most Obedient and most
                     humble Servant

                     Alexr McDougall

                Enclosure

                           29 January-16 February 1782

                        Head Quarters Highland February 6th
                           1782.The following are the orders of his Excellency the Commander
                        in Chief. Head Quarters Philadelphia Tuesday January 29th 1782.
                     A General Court Martial for the tryal of Major General
                        McDougall on sundry charges exhibited against him by Major General Heath,
                        will assemble at West Point as soon as possible. Major General Lord
                        Stirling, is appointed President. The Deputy Adjutant General of the Eastern
                        Army will detail the members.

                        Extract from General orders
                        Edwd Hand A. Genl

                        As soon as Major General Lord Stirling arrives at this Post
                           the members of the Court will be named and the place of the Courts siting
                           pointed out.

                        Head Quarters Highlands February 13th, 1782.Extract from the orders of his Excellency the Commander in
                           ChiefHead Quarters Philadelphia January 29th 1782.

                           After orders

                        The General Court Martial for the tryal of Major General
                           McDougall may be holden at West Point or some convenient place in it’s
                           vicinity.
                        CopyEdwd Hand A. GeneralThe General Court Martial whereof Major General Lord
                           Stirling is President appointed for the tryal of Major General McDougall,
                           is to sit at Mr Coopers Tavern in Fish Kill on Monday next the 18th of
                           this instant February at ten oClock A.M. Brigadiers General James Clinton
                           and Paterson, Colonel Shepard, Swift, Putnam, H. Jackson and Butler,
                           Lieutenant Colonels Commandants, Smith and Sherman, Lieutenant Colonel
                           Grosvenor, Majors Throop and Spurr will attend as members—All evidences
                           and persons concerned to attend the Court.
                        The foregoing orders I received from Lieutenant Colonel
                           Hull Deputy Adjutant General of the department.

                  W Point February 16th 1782Ed.
                           Haskell De.A.G.

                Enclosure

                        Westpoint 15th June 1782.

                     Charges exhibited by Major General McDougall, to his
                        Excellency the Commander in Chief, against Major General Heath; on which
                        Major-General McDougall desires he may be put in Arrest.
                     1st For suffering Brigadier General Glover with impunity,
                        when the Army here was suffering for want of bread, and a party had refused
                        to go on Duty for want of bread, in December 1779 or in January 1780, to
                        send out of this state, about seventeen Hundred Weight of flour, contrary to
                        an express Law of this State, made to provide for and secure Provision for
                        the Army; altho’ Major Campbell informed Major General Heath of it.
                     2nd For Neglect of Duty (as he Major General Heath assumed the
                        Command of this Department) in suffering Mr Samuel Marshall on or about the
                        25th or 26th of November last to issue, and the different Commissaries in
                        this Department, to receive as a Daily Issue,
                        with Impunity, ten thousand, six hundred and five Rations of Provision, as
                        underwritten; when no such Number or quantity could possibly be daily
                        demanded; and at a time when the Army near the North River and this Garrison
                        were suffering and frequently had suffered for want of bread, of which he
                        was informed; and when it was his duty and in his
                           power only, as he assumed the general Command of the Department, to
                        correct such abuse of general Issues.
                     First  MassachusettsBrigade863 RationsSecondDodo1053 doThirdDodo1370doFirstConnecticutdo1010doSecondDodo712doOn the Lines840doWest point1594doNew Windsor610doFishKill710doFishKill Landing263doKings Ferry950doContinental Village 630  do10,605Rations
                     3d For his assuming a general Command of West point and it’s
                        Dependencies, without the necessary and known military Promulgation of his
                        having such Authority.
                     4th For unmilitary and inhuman Neglect, in not putting the
                        general Hospital Huts near New Windsor, and those for the small pox
                        patients, near the Connecticut Cantonment last Autumn and Winter; in a
                        comfortable State for the sick in them respectively; when they were suffering for want of necessary Repairs; and
                        he had means under his Orders, to make the Huts comfortable; the Neglect of
                        which in due time hath exposed those patients to
                        great Hardship and Distress, by which the service hath been injured.
                     5th For Tyrannically and assumingly on the 13th of February
                        last, ordering "the general Court Martial whereof Major General Lord
                        Stirling was President, for the Trial of Major General McDougall, to sit at
                        Mr Cooper’s Tavern in Fish Kill," contrary to the
                        Letter and Spirit, of the orders of the Commander in Chief of the 29th of
                        January last for assembling the said Court "at Westpoint or some convenient
                        pace in it’s Vicinity"; and by ordering the Court to sit at FishKill,
                        endangering the Safety of the Garrison of Westpoint, by the necessary
                        Attendance of the principal Officers of it as Members of the Court, and
                        Witnesses; and unfeelingly exposing those Officers to Expences, and their
                        Poverty and Distress to the Country; and thereby denying Justice to the said
                        McDougall, by the necessary Delays which would have been created by the
                        Court’s sitting at FishKill, instead of the Place described by the above
                        orders of the Commander in Chief, an Obedience which would have prevented
                        all those Evils.
                     The underwritten complains to his Excellency General
                        Washington, against Major General Heath for the unmilitary Neglects,
                        Inhumanity and Tyranny particularised in the Charges above mentioned, which
                        are ready to be supported by

                        Alexr McDougall
                        M. General

                        6th For a Breach of the Instructions of the Commander in
                           Chief to him, of the 19th of August last, repecting the new boats, which directed them to be "put under
                           the Care of a Guard"; but he (Major General Heath) on the 7th of November
                           last, ordered about ninety of those new Boats from the Care of a Guard placed over them, at Danforth’s
                           Creek, by Major General McDougall; to be sent off, to Wapping Creek,
                           without placing a Guard over them, where many of them were used and abused by
                           the Inhabitants. This Charge will also be Supported
                        by

                        Alexr McDougall
                        M. General


Title: From George Washington to George Reid, 15 June 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Reid, George

                     Sir,
                     Head-Quarters, Newburgh 15th June
                     1782

                  I have been favored with your Letter of the 8th instant.
                  I have directed your Wants both in the Military stores and
                     Quartermaster Department to be supplied—and you will soon receive a Quantity of
                     Cartriges from General Knox’s Order.
                  I am sorry for the Misfortune you suffered from your Fall; and am
                     glad that you are so far recovered as to be able to return to your Duty.
                  I must recommend to you to be very active and vigorous in your
                     Command; and to give particular Instructions to your Scouts to be watchful and
                     alert in their Duty, not only to prevent Surprizes from the Enemy, but to gain
                     every Intelligence possible of any Movement or Approach of the Enemy either
                     from the West or North. I have been lately informed, from high up Connecticut
                     River, that the Enemy are coming in Force across the Lake Champlain to take
                     Post at Crown Point—You do not make mention of any Discoveries from that
                     Quarter—have any Scouts lately been on that Route? I wish you to be punctual in
                     giving me every Intelligence of this Nature that you can obtain, and that you
                     think may be depended on.
                  I am to desire that you will, as far as it is practicable in your
                     dispersed Situation, attend closely to the disciplining and training the Men of
                     the New Hampshire Regiment—make the Rules and Regulations for the Government of
                     the Army your Guide, that Uniformity may prevail in the Army, however seperated
                     and dispersed the several Parts of it may be. I am, Sir, Your very humble
                     Servant

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Heath, 16 June 1782
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

                     Dear General
                     Highland June 16th 1782

                  Enclosed are the proceedings of a General Court Martial on Capt.
                     Williams Brigade Major of the 2nd—Massachusetts Brigade. I have the honor to be
                     with the greatest respect your Excellencys most Obed. Servt

                     W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from William Irvine, 16 June 1782
From: Irvine, William
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     Fort Pitt June 16th 1782

                  In my letter of the 21st of May I mentioned to your Excellency
                     that a body of Volunteer Militia were assembling at the Mingo Bottom to go
                     against Sandusky; The inclosed letters; one from Colonel Williamson second
                     in Command, and the other from Lieutenant Rose my Aid de Camp contains all the
                     particulars of this transaction which have yet come to my knowledge, I am of
                     opinion had they reached the place in seven days (in stead of ten,) which might
                     have been done especially as they were chiefly mounted they would have
                     succeeded, they should also have pushed the advantage evidently gained at the
                     commencement of the Action; they failed in another point which they had my
                     advice and indeed positive orders for Viz. to make the last days march as long
                     as possible and attack the place in the night, but they halted in the evening
                     within nine miles, fired their Rifles at seven in the morning before they
                     marched—These people now seem convinced that they can not perform as much by
                     themselves as they some time since thought they could, perhaps it is right that
                     they should put more dependence on Regular Troops I am sorry I have not more to
                     afford them Assistance. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys Most Obedient
                     Humble Servant

                     Wm Irvine

                Enclosure

                        Sir,
                        Mingo Bottom June 13th 1782.

                     Those volunteers who marched from here on the 24th of May
                        last, under the Command of Col. Wm Crawford, are this moment returned, and
                        recrossing the Ohio with Col. Williamson. I am sorry to observe, they did
                        not meet with that success, which so spirited an enterprise, and the heroic
                        bravery of the greater part deserved.
                     So small a body could only expect success by surprising the
                        ennemy. We therefore begun a rapid and secret march in the straitest
                        direction through the Woods for the downs of Sandusky. Our horses soon tired
                        under their heavy Loads in those enormous hills and Swamps, we had to
                        cross. This obliged us to incline to the Southward towards the moravian
                        Towns, into a more level country, though more frequented by hunters
                        & Warriors. On crossing the Muskingham on the 28th we were
                        unfortunate enough to be discovered by the ennemy, which gave them
                        sufficient time to prepare for our reception and alarm the adjacent Indian
                        nations. Notwithstanding our small numbers, amounting in the whole to 480,
                        we continued our march with great precaution, and met the ennemy, the 4th of
                        June on the plains of Sandusky. Our advanced Light horse fell in with them a
                        short distance from their town, and at 4 P.M. the action was general, close
                        and hot. Both parties contended obstinately for a piece of Woods, which the
                        ennemy was forced to quit at Sun set, with the loss of several Scalps. We
                        had  5 Killed and 19 Wounded.
                     The firing began early on the fifth. The ennemy had received
                        so severe a Blow the preceeding evening that he did not venture an attack
                        but contented himself to annoy us at a distance. We were so much incumbered
                        with our Wounded and Sick, that the whole day was spent in their care and
                        in preparing for a general attack the next Night, which was thought
                        dangerous with a part only. But our intentions were frustrated by the
                        arrival of a large body of mounted rangers and 200 Shawnois in the
                        afternoon. As this succours rendered the ennemy so vastly superior to us in
                        numbers, and as they could collect all their forces in a circuit of about 50
                        Miles, who Kept pouring in hourly from all Quarters to their relief,
                        prudence dictated a retreat. This was effected in the Night of the 5th
                        & Morning of the 6th instant.
                     The whole Body was formed to take up their Line of march,
                        & we had called in all our Sentinels, when the ennemy observing our
                        intentions begun a hot fire. We secured all our Wounded and retreated in
                        four parties, of which that one suffered most,
                        that retired along the common road between the encampments of the Shawnois
                        & Delawares in our Rear. In a body trained to the strictest
                        discipline, some confusion would have arisen: upon such an occasion.
                        Severals were consequently separated. But the main body was collected at
                        day-break 5 Miles from the place of action, on the ground where the Town
                        formerly stood. Here the command devolved upon Col. Williamson, as Col.
                        Crawford was missing, whose loss we all regretted.
                     The ennemy hung upon our Rear through the places. It was
                           evidently their design to retard our march, untill
                        they could possess themselves of some advantageous ground in our front, and
                        so cut off our retreat, or oblige us to fight them to
                        disadvantage. Though it was our business studiously to avoid engaging in the
                        plains, on account of the ennemy’s superiority in Light Cavalry, they pressed
                        our Rear so hard, that we concluded for a general and
                        vigorous attack, whilst our Light horse secured the
                        entrance of the Woods. In less than an hour the ennemy
                        gave way on all sides & never after attempted to molest us any more
                        on our march. We had 9 killed and 8 Wounded in this action, besides several
                        missing, who afterwards joined us again, before we
                        crossed the Muskingham on the 10th instant, between the
                        Two upper Moravian Towns.
                     The unremitting activity of Col. Williamson surmounted every
                           obstacle and difficulty, in getting the Wounded along.
                        Severals of them are in a dangerous condition, and
                        want immediate assistance; of which they have been deprived since the loss
                        of Dr Knights.
                     Since our arrival here I find that different small parties,
                            were separated from us either by the ennemy or
                        by fear, are arrived before us. Our loss will also not exceed 30 Men at a
                        moderate     tation in Killed & missing. Col.
                        Crawford has not been heard off since the Night of the 5th instant;
                        & I fear is among the Killed. I have the honor to be Your most
                        obedient humble Servant

                        John Rose

                            A.d. Camp

                Enclosure

                        Dr Sir
                        June the 13th 1782

                     I take this Opportunity to make you acquainted with our
                        retreat from the Senduske planes June the 6th we ware reduced to the
                        necessity of making a forc’d march through their lines in the Night much in
                        disorder but the main Body march’d round the Shawny Camp who ware luckly
                        enough to escape their fire and march the whole night—and the next morning
                        ware reinforce’d by some companies which I cannot give a particular Account
                        as they were so Irregular and so Confused, but the number lost I think
                        Cannot be Assertained at this time, I must Acknowledge myself ever Oblig’d
                        to Major Rosse, for his Assistance both in the field of Action and and in
                        the Camp his Character in our camp is Estemable and his Bravery cannot be
                        Outdone. Our Country Must be ever Oblig’d to Genl Erwin for his favour Done
                        in the late Expedition Major Rosse will give you particular Account of our
                        Retreat. I hope when your Honor takes into Consideration the Distress of the
                        Brave men in the present Expedition and the Distress of our Country in
                        general I hope you will do us the favour to Call the Officers together, as
                        our Dependance is Entirely upon you and we are ready and willing to Obey
                        your Commands when call’d upon. I have nothing more particular to write to
                        you but with Singular Respect your most Obed. Humb. Sert

                        David Williamson

                        N.B. Col. Crawford Our Commandant we can give no Account
                           of since the Night of the Retreat.


Title: To George Washington from Dutee Jerauld, 16 June 1782
From: Jerauld, Dutee
To: Washington, George

                     sir,
                     Highlands 16th June 1782

                  Disagreeable as it is to me to quitt the service of my Country
                     particularly at this time, yet my domestic business renders it indispensible,
                     for which reason I must request that your Excellency will be pleased to accept
                     this my resignation. I am with respect your Excellency’s most Obedient, humble
                     servant

                     Dutee Jerauld Capt.
                     R.I. Regt


Title: To George Washington from Henry Brockholst Livingston, 16 June 1782
From: Livingston, Henry Brockholst
To: Washington, George

                     Sir,
                     Elizabeth Town 16th June 1782

                  Considering the various and important objects of your Excellency’s
                     constant attention, it is with the greatest reluctance I prevail upon myself to
                     engage it a single moment by any thing not of some immediate public
                     consequence; yet such is my present Situation that I flatter myself your Excy
                     will pardon my freedom in requesting your Attention to it.
                  On the 11th of March last I sailed from Cadiz, & was taken
                     by an English frigate the 25th of the month following. At New York I was
                     committed to the Provost, and continued in it until the arrival of Sir Guy
                     Carleton who liberated me on parole—Having been absent from America on
                     furlough, without exceeding the term thereof, and having a Lieut. Colonels
                     Commission in pocket, I did not think there could be any impropriety in signing
                     a parole as such, and in being exchanged accordingly. But on perusing the
                     Journals of Congress, I find by Resolutions passed the 31st of Decr 81, and 21st
                     Jany 82—that I am among those Officers who are considered as retiring from
                     Service on half pay, the first day of the present year. Those Resolves your
                     Excy will readily beleive I must have been a perfect Stranger to at the time of
                     my capture, neither of them having had time to reach Madrid when I came away,
                     which was on the seventh of february last—This circumstance will, I trust,
                     exculpate me from any censure, and will induce your Excellency to permit me to
                     be considered as a Lieut. Colonel in any future Exchange agreeable to the tenor
                     of my parole.
                  I cannot conclude without taking notice of that part of Sir Guy
                     Carleton’s first letter to your Excellency, in which he appears to make a merit
                     of my enlargement, and to think himself entitled therefor to some return on the
                     part of your Excellency—Lest this circumstance may induce a suspicion, that
                     some part of my conduct, while in confinement, may have given the Enemy reason
                     to beleive that I considered my liberation in the light of a favor, or took
                     improper steps to obtain it, I think it incumbent on me to lay before your Excy
                     a narrative of what passed on that Occasion.
                  Immediately on landing at New-York, Mr Sproat informed me, on the
                     part of General Robertson, that I was to be confined in the Provost, and Mr
                     Chief Justice Smith was sent thither to apologize for my being treated in that
                     manner—I told Mr Smith that throwing a person into a common Jail merely on
                     suspicion of his being the Bearer of important dispatches, appeared to me an
                     unprecedented and a very extraordinary measure, but that as it could answer no
                     purpose to enter into an altercation with him, I should write to General
                     Robertson himself on the Subject; and on pen, ink & paper being brought
                     me I wrote him a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy.
                  In answer thereto, the General sent me a polite message by Major
                     Wymms, the purport of which was that "reasons of state rendered my confinement
                     necessary, but that I might rest assured it would be of very short
                     duration"—The Major concluded by apologizing for my not receiving a written
                     answer, the General’s Time being wholly engrossed by very pressing business—Major Wymms had scarcely retired, when Captain Cunningham the Provost–Marshal,
                     mentioned to me for the first time, Lippincott’s situation, and what had passed
                     between your Excy and Sir Henry Clinton on that subject—He did not seem to
                     speak from authority, but gave me to understand, as politely as he could, that
                     it might be well for me to interest myself on the occasion, as it was
                     impossible to say, to what lengths retaliation might be carried in case your
                     Excy should execute the threat you had thrown out—I was not then apprized of
                     all the circumstances relative to the murder of Captain Huddy, but had I been a
                     total stranger to your Excellency’s character, Cunningham’s own state of the
                     matter must have convinced me of the perfect propriety of your requisition—I
                     told him so and (after laughing at the Idea of any Interest of mine or of my
                     friends being sufficient to induce your Excellency to recede from so just a
                     demand) promised to comply with his request, provided he would first engage to
                     transmit to your Excellency whatever I might think proper to write on the
                     matter—He replied Genl Robertson must first see it—This convinced me, it would
                     be useless to write, from a certainty that my letter would not correspond with
                     his wishes, & of course not be forwarded—I set down however &
                     wrote what is enclosed to my Father.
                  I had now determined to make no further application to General
                     Robertson, nor did I hear any thing more from Head-Quarters until the arrival
                     of Sir Guy Carleton, who sent for me without my applying to him either verbally
                     or by letter—On being introduced to his Excellency he informed me, in the
                     presence of Mr Smith, of his being much surprized at hearing of my confinement,
                     & very happy to have it in his power so soon to put a period to it—Without leaving time to reply, he acquainted me with his Intention to send his
                     Secretary with a complimentary letter to Congress,
                     and begged of me in order to facilitate Mr Morgan’s Journey to accept of a seat
                     in his carriage—After thanking him for his Attention, I asked whether Mr Morgan
                     had permission from Congress or your Excy to proceed to Philada & on
                     being answered in the negative, told him that I recollected Mr Ferguson’s
                     having been stopped on a like errand for want of such passport, and that Mr
                     Morgan would probably be obliged to return should he undertake the Journey
                     without one. He said the Idea was perfectly new to him; he did not conceive any
                     necessity of a flags being furnished with a passport, and if so in Mr
                     Ferguson’s case, my going with his secretary must supersede that necessity in
                     the present one. I observed to him that his Excy must allow there was a wide
                     difference between sending a military flag to an out-post of our army,
                     & sending a person in Mr Morgan’s character thro’ so great a part of
                     the Country to Philadelphia, and that without such a pass I must beg leave to
                     decline the pleasure I should otherwise derive from travelling in that
                     Gentleman’s company. Sir Guy then proposed that his Secretary & myself
                     should go together, and in case of the former’s being stopped, I was to proceed
                     with his dispatches to Congress. This also I refused, telling him, that as it
                     was probable his letters contained some Overtures, I could not consent to
                     charge myself with them, unless his Excellency would assure me they contained
                     an acknowledgment of our Independence, or a promise to withdraw their fleets
                     and armies—That these were the only terms on which Congress had agreed to open
                     a treaty in 78, and that it was not probable they would listen to any thing
                     short thereof now. He seemed somewhat surprized, & after a little
                     hesitation assured me upon his honor that he was vested with no such Powers.
                     that his intended letter to Congress was a matter of mere compliment but if
                     there was any danger of Mr Morgans meeting with difficulties, he would postpone
                     his journey until he could hear from your Excy on the subject. This closed our
                     conversation for that day—The next morning agreeable to his desire, I waited on
                     him again—He received me very politely—talked much of the King’s pacific
                     dispositions, of his own earnest desire of an honorable peace—of his wishes to
                     carry on the war, while it did prevail, more consonant to the dictates of
                     humanity than heretofore he was persuaded of meeting with corresponding
                     sentiments in your Excy that both Countries were interested in supporting the
                     british character that if England & America must separate, it would be
                     their mutual Interest to part like men of honor, & in good humour with
                     each other—After a great deal more to the same purpose, he informed me a barge
                     was ready to take me to Elizabeth-Town—He then put into my hands a letter for
                     my father, some English prints, with a few copies of the Bill & the
                     votes of the house of Commons which he said should be transmitted to your
                     Excellency by another flag—After signing a parole I took my leave.
                  I hope your Excellency will forgive my having been so very prolix
                     on this occasion, as nothing but an idea of it’s being my duty has led me to be
                     circumstantial in every thing that passed between the Commander in chief and
                     myself during my captivity in New York. I have the honor to be, with the
                     highest Respect, Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and very Humble Servant

                            Henry Brockholst Livingston

                Enclosure

                     Copy of a Letter from Lieut. Collo. Livingston to General
                        Robertson dated from the Provost in New-York 2nd May 82.
                        Sir,
                           2 May 1782

                     As your Excellency has thought proper to give an order for my
                        being confined in the Provost, without honoring me with an Interview, I
                        trust You will excuse the liberty I take of trespassing upon your time by
                        committing to paper my sentiments on this proceeding—Confinement, however
                        irksome after a tedious Sea-voyage of eight weeks, I should have borne
                        without repining, or troubling you with a request for enlargement, had not
                        the verbal Apology, accompanying the Warrant for my Commitment, been of such
                        a nature, as to render silence on my part, as culpable, as I conceive the
                        message to have been indelicate on yours. Mr Sproat, Chief-Justice Smith,
                        & Captain Cunningham have informed me, that the reason, which
                        weighed most with your Excellency on this Occasion, was a beleif of my being
                        charged with dispatches for Congress from their Minister at the Court of
                        Madrid, & that altho’ I may have been prudent enough to destroy
                        those papers, yet being in the secret myself, I might, if admitted to Parole
                        on Long-Island or elsewhere, find means of conveying to that honorable body
                        very important information on the subject of their Negotiations at the
                        spanish Court—There was a period in the American Contest, when I should not
                        have been surprized at your sending an American Officer to this place
                        without troubling him or yourself with an apology for such a Step: but at
                        present, when all hopes of distressing America into submission are lain
                        aside, and you have conceived an excuse necessary, I could wish some one had
                        been thought of less grating to the feelings of a Soldier than the one you
                        have adopted. Allowing myself to have been really entrusted with the
                        dispatches you suppose, which is by no means certain, & that I am
                        also knowing to their contents, which is likewise doubtful, I cannot refrain
                        from expressing my surprize that a Gentleman of your Excellency’s standing
                        in the Army, did not prevent by a more certain method the communication of
                        such knowledge, than by confining the Bearer thereof to a Provost; for give
                        me leave to remind your Excellency that, circumspect as you may wish to appear on this occasion, you have left
                        open the only door possible for the Communication in question. It is true, a
                        prison does not furnish many opportunities for the transmission of
                        Intelligence, yet rare as those are, a Communication is more likely to take
                        place than where an Officer pledges his honor for secrecy. This circumstance
                        induces me to doubt of your having been candid enough to furnish me with all
                        the reasons of my being treated in this manner, especially as the attention
                        which the Officers of the United States have ever paid to their engagements
                        with your army, allows of but very slender foundation for distrust in the
                        present case. I must further observe that my confinement appears to me the
                        more extraordinary at a time when many British Officers, Prisoners to the
                        United States, are on parole in this City—I would not be thought to
                        insinuate any thing like retaliation, nor will a regard for humanity permit
                        me to wish, let my confinement be ever so long, that any Gentleman of your
                        army, now at liberty, be a sufferer by it; but your Excellency well knows
                        that the regard, which it is the duty of every State to pay to the Sufferings
                        of those in allegiance to it, may sometimes induce such a measure however
                        repugnant it be to the dictates of humanity.
                     I ought perhaps to ask pardon for taking up so much of your
                        Excellency’s time at a moment when your succession to the Command in chief
                        of the army must require all your attention. Permit me only to add that in
                        asking to be admitted to parole, I do not conceive myself solliciting a
                        favor, so much as insisting on a right founded on the uniform humanity
                        & indulgence which has been so universally extended by the United
                        States to the Officers of his Britannic Majesty whom the fortune of war has
                        placed in their power. I have the honor to be Your Excys most obedt &
                        Hble Servant

                        Henry Brockholst Livingston
                        Lt Collo. in the army of the U. States of No. America.

                Enclosure

                     Copy of a Letter from Henry B. Livingston to Govr Livingston
                        dated Provost in New York 3 May 82.My dear Sir,

                           3 May 1782

                     If You have received my letter by the Commerce You already
                        know of my leaving Cadiz on the 11th of March last. The 25th of the month
                        following I was taken by the Quebec frigate, & yesterday by Genl
                        Robertson’s order committed to the Provost of this City. I have taken the
                        liberty to remonstrate with that Gentleman on this measure—Enclosed You have
                        a Copy of my letter to him. I hope you will think it conceived in spirited
                        & at the same time in decent terms. Whether it will work out my
                        release I cannot tell—It has been hinted to me by the Provost-Marshal, and
                        perhaps you will hear it, that I shall not be set at liberty, until
                        Lippencott’s affair be settled, and that if Genl Washington puts his threat
                        into Execution, I may be thought a proper subject for retaliation—I laugh at
                        this Insinuation, and am so fully persuaded of the justice of our General’s
                        Conduct on this occasion, that did I beleive any thing of the kind would be
                        mentioned to him, I would Entreat him myself to pay no attention to it—On
                        this I am determined, that let what will happen, I will never stoop so low as
                        to ask the smallest favor at their hands, and could I beleive that my letter
                        to General Robertson could be considered in that light, I would rather have
                        burnt than sent it—Pray give yourself no uneasiness on my account—I must do
                        Capt. Cunningham the Justice to say that he does every thing in his power to
                        render my situation comfortable. Mr & Mrs Jay are well—Sally had
                        another daughter in February. I am my dr Sir Your dutiful Son

                        Henry B. Livingston


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 16 June 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

                  My Dear Sir,

                     Head Quarters 16th June 1782

                  Your two favors of the fourth Instant were deliverd to me by
                     General Lincoln—it is an easy matter to perceive by the tenor of one of them
                     you have imbibed an Opinion that the Officers of this army are captious and
                     that by attempting to remove one complaint a Door is opend to others—I am not
                     much surprized at this—You have probably adopted it from the Representation of
                     Mr Sands of whom without doing him injustice it may be said he is extremely
                     plausible extremely narrow minded—disingenuous, and little abounding in a
                     temper to conciliate the good will of the Army or to adopt any measure for the
                     convenience and accomodation of the Officers—These traits of Mr Sands’s
                     Character are not drawn by a pen under the influence of prejudice or of one
                     improperly biassed in favor of the Army they are facts of which I have and can
                     produce proofs and till the happening of which I upon the spot was deceived.
                  Mr Sands, Sir, if I have not formed a very Erroneous opinion of
                     him is determined to make all the money he can by the Contracts Herein I do not
                     blame him—provided he does it honestly and with a Reciprocal fulfillment of the
                     agreement. Of a want of the first I do not accuse him but his thirst of Gain
                     leads him in my opinion into a mistaken principle of Action—He
                     is very tenacious of all those parts of the Contracts which
                     point to the convenience and Emolument of the Contractors, and till very lately
                     was determined to be his own Judge of them but is regardless of other parts
                     which Enjoin certain requisitions upon them—to these causes,
                     and these only is to be ascribed I conceive the present deplorable state of the
                     Magazines and the dangerous consequences which may flow from it. Our frequent
                     want of daily food and the little prospect of better supplies and the
                     inconveniences which the Army experience in the mode of issuing—He cannot I
                     presume charge these neglects to a failure on your part and sure I am he cannot
                     do it to the scarcity of Provisions, for the Country is surcharged with all
                     kinds of it—but in expectation it is Said of reducing the price of salt meat
                     (which unfortunately it seems has risen upon him) He notwithstanding the
                     contract and repeated calls and the consequences of a failure has neglected it
                     to this moment and to avoid the expence, it is moreover added, of Pasturage,
                     (for how Else is it to be accounted for?) and perhaps a little diminution in
                     the weight which all Armies and all Contractors in the World are obliged to
                     submit to, this Army become the Sport of and suffered by every Accident or
                     delay which happens to the droves of Beef Cattle.
                  I should not my Dear Sir have given you, who I know have business
                     & perplexities enough without the trouble of reading these observations
                     (after being told that the secretary at War would inquire into and redress
                     grievances) but from a love of Justice and a desire that every Man and
                     description of Man should be known and rewarded or punished according to their
                     deserts and because it would seem that your opinion has been founded on the
                     representations of Mr Sands who yeilding nothing himself requiring every thing
                     of others and failing in the most essential parts of his Contract adopts as is
                     too commonly the Case with little minds the policy of endeavouring to place the
                     adverse party in the wrong that he may appear in a more favorable point of View
                     himself.
                  The very thing which you and every body else points out as so
                     easy to do is not done and is the principal hardship complained of by the
                     Officers who think it surprizing that they cannot enjoy a benefit which is
                     essential to themselves and costs the public nothing because it will give a
                     little trouble to the Contractors.
                  Those Officers who claim the Specific ration as a matter of Right
                     could not in justice and I persuade myself would not in decency complain if
                     they should be compelled to draw or forfeit them but the question in my Opinion
                     is whether they ought to be compelled to draw them (whether they want them or
                     not) and whether (as it costs the public no more to give them the alternative
                     of drawing the specific Ration or its value) it is not reasonable, especially
                     under the depreciation of pay, to gratify them in it, as it is all they have to
                     live upon.
                  I shall beg your indulgence but a little while longer till I
                     subscribe fully to your observations that without a Civil list neither Civil
                     nor Military Men can exist but I must beg leave to add to it as my own, that if
                     the Military should disband for want of Pay (while the War continues to Rage) a
                     period will very soon be put to the Civil Establishment under our present
                     Constitution—the Civil and Military then having a reciprocal dependance upon
                     each other Taxation of the property of one being equal to that of the other and
                     the wants of both the same it is worthy of some consideration whether the first
                     is to receive all and the other no part of their pay.
                  These Sentiments my dear Morris are between ourselves and tho
                     freely communicated to you are concealed from the Officers of this Army on
                     whom I am constantly inculcating patience and forbearance adding that their
                     Relief must flow from the Taxes and that it is incumbent upon all and Every of
                     them to impress the necessity of Taxation upon their Several Connections and
                     Friends as the only Source of redress, for that you are totally unsupported and
                     cannot work Miracles.
                  As I never say any thing of a Man that
                     I have the smallest scruple of saying to him I would
                     not be understood to mean by this being between
                     ourselves that, any part of it that Reflects Mr Sands should be hid from
                     him—you are perfectly at liberty if you think it necessary to communicate these
                     my Sentiments to him.
                  I hope some good will result from the deputation of Congress to
                     the several States—Inclosed I send you a Copy of my Letter to them of the 4th
                     of May and should have done it sooner if I could have trusted the conveyance
                     without putting the Letter in Cypher—I pray you to make a tender of my best
                     respects in which Mrs Washington joins me most cordially to Mrs Morris
                     & Miss Livingston and to believe that with every sentiment of esteem
                     and regard I am Dr Sir Yr most Obed. Servant


Title: To George Washington from Seth Warner, 16 June 1782
From: Warner, Seth
To: Washington, George

                  May it please your Excellency.

                     Bennington 16th of june 1782

                  After a long Confinement With Sickness and Lameness Which hath
                     followed me Ever since I Left the Sarviss I Would present you With a line
                     prehaps not Worthy your observation though With the leatest intelligence from
                     Canaday—Liut Dunning an officer from my Regiment Who Was taken presner on the
                     14 Mile island in Lake georeg july the 13th 1778 hath got his Redemtion By the
                     Way of Varmont and Maid his arival hear yester Day from Canaday he informs
                     theat the inimy there are numara Countng Britiss indins and torys he Judges
                     General Holderman to Be as Strong as Giniral Burgine Was Before he Began to
                     penetrate the Cuntry—he saith they have much much talk of of ane Expoditon this
                     Way—though he saw no Preparations for it—I have a few solders Ex Chang:d with
                     Dunning the Barer Wiliam Kelogg is one. I Should Be glad of Directions how to
                     Dispose of them and as many more as may Come home—Capt. Simeon Smith Who Was
                     taken a prisner at the same Time Still Remains under Confinement in Canaday he
                     hath Ben ablidgd to Labour for his Seport or under Close Confinement Eversince
                     he was Taken his Wagers if he Wraught Well 22 Coppers pr Day. I should Be
                     Glad if there is an officer of Equal Rank he might Be Sent for his Exchang as
                     well as for Several Subbaltan officers Who was taken When my Reg:t was Destroyed
                     with fort georg other Wise if I Could Be alowd the privilidge of Sending a flag
                     I flater My Selfe that I Could Do sumthing for them in the turn of this
                     Summer—I am Still in a poor State of helth Shall Come and See the army this
                     Summer if able to Rid—and make tryal for Sumthing of a Settlement With the
                     public though the Desartion of my pay master and the Loss of all his papers at
                     fort george Renders it impossible that I Should make it Copleat—the State of
                     Varmont Keeps But a Small guard in our fruntears—I am Sir With the Greatest
                     Esteam your your obediant and Very Homth Sert at Com:d

                     Seth Warner

                     N.B. I Should Be Very Happy With a line from your Excellency
                        if Worthy your notis if sent to if sent to Albany I Shall Soon git. I am as
                        Before

                     Seth Warner


Title: To George Washington from Charles Asgill, 17 June 1782
From: Asgill, Charles
To: Washington, George

                     Sir,Coll Dayton’s Quarters Chatham June 17th 1782

                  On the 30th of last Month I had the Honor of addressing your
                     Excellency in writing, stating the manner of my Confinement & the
                     Circumstances that induced me to claim your protection—being ignorant of the
                     fate of my letter, it would be very satisfactory to me, if your Excellency
                     would be pleased to inform me if it has been recieved. in consequence of your
                     Orders, Coll Dayton was desirous of removing me to Camp but being ill with a
                     fever I prevailed on him to let me remain at his Quarters close confined, which
                     Induljence I hope will not be disapproved of—I cannot conclude without
                     expressing my gratitude to Your excellency for ordering Coll Dayton to favor me
                     as much as my situation would admit of, & in justice to him I must
                     acknowledge the feeling & attentive manner in which those Commands were
                     executed. I have the Honor to be with great Respect Your Excelly Most Obedt
                     Humbe Servt

                     Charles Asgill
                     Lieut. Capt. 1st Regt Foot Guard


Title: To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 17 June 1782
From: Dayton, Elias
To: Washington, George

                     Sir
                     Chatham June 17th 1782

                  I am honored with two letters from Your Excellency dated the
                     11th: Your Excellencys Orders for sending on Mr Depeyster, provided upon a
                     representation of the matter, it was approved by the Governor together with his
                     directions for that purpose, were the reasons which occasioned my conducting
                     with him in the manner I have done. Ignorant of your Excellency’s intentions
                     respecting Mr Depeyster & being enabled to judge of them only from the
                     orders received I hastened to send him to West point, lest a writ of Habeas
                     Corpus directed to me as haveing charge of the prisoner might have added to the
                     difficulty of removing him from this state & that the determination of
                     an affair of so much importance might be submited to your Excellency, I am
                     informed that Cadmus is in New York which I am very sorry for but your
                     Excellency may be assured that every circumstance we are or may be possesed of,
                     which may tend to the conviction of Depeyster shall be made known to the Court
                     by Col. Ogden or my Self.
                  Capt. Asgill has been at Chatham hitherto, but not free from any
                     constraint, as your Excellency has been informed. I have ordered him to the
                     Huts to be confined agreeable to orders. He hourly expects letters from his
                     friend which I expect will be delayed untill the sentence of the court is
                     known, which has been sitting some days in New York for the trial of Lipencut
                     Genl Paterson is president of the court who is said to have prejudged the matter
                     unfavourable to Lipencut.
                  Capt. Schaak of the 57th Regt whom your Excellency mentions in
                     your last letter, is now at the Huts in close confinement, he is not wounded as
                     reported but was indulged by Mr Adams to continue at Eliz. Town until his
                     servant & baggage could be sent him from Sandy Hook.
                  Two days since all the refugee corps left Staten Island and are I
                     am informed Stationed at Powlas hook, two british Regiments supply their places
                     upon the Island.
                  Enclosed are the proceedings of A Court martial upon George Cook
                     a repeated offender and who I beleive to be a very proper object to make an
                     example of. I am Your Excellencys Most Obedient & Very Humble servent

                     Elias Dayton


Title: From George Washington to William Heath, 17 June 1782
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

                     Dear Sir
                     Head Quarters 17th June
                     1782

                  I have to reply to your three favors of the 15th.
                  A Copy of your Application in favor of Colo. Greatons Appointment
                     to be a Brigadier, is submitted to the Consideration of the Sectry at War, with
                     my Approbation—and the promotion will probably take place.
                  The Commandg Officer of the post at Dobbs Ferry, should
                     undoubtedly be furnished with a public Horse for the purpose of sendg by Land
                     such Dispaches as he may have Occasion to convey in that Manner—You will please
                     to give Order for the purpose.
                  I had written thus far, when your Letter of the 17th arrived. I
                     know nothing more respectg the Forage used by the french Army in this State,
                     than I did when you wrote me upon that Subject—I now return you the Letter of
                     Genl Beville; with this Observation, that I do not recollect any thing more
                     than a cursory Conversation with Genl Rochambeau on that Head—nothing
                     determinate respectg Pay for it was ever said, that I remember—the Idea, when
                     we arrived on that Ground was not that I know entertained by any one—But the
                     Orders of Congress must be attended to—If the Arbitrators are driven to a
                     Decision under present Circumstances, they must make the best Estimates they
                     can, I have no Directions to give—I dont at present see anything to prevent
                     Colo. Hulls Attendance on the Arbitration—If any Danger or Inconvenience should
                     be observed, it may be remedied on its Appearance.
                  Lieut. Frye must remain in his present Situation untill some
                     Determination can be made respectg him—his Case will be laid before the
                     Secretary at War. I am with Regard & Esteem D. Sir Your most Obed
                     Servant

                     Go: Washington

                     P.S. If Genl Beville’s Letter is communicated to the
                        Arbitrators, I beg you will let my Observations upon it be laid before them
                        also.