George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Colonel David Mason, 14 November 1777

To Colonel David Mason

Head Qrs at White Marsh [Pa.] Nov. 14: 1777.

Sir

The Congress having been pleased to refer the proceedings & Sentence of a Court Martial against John More to my determination I have thought proper to remit the punishment decreed against him. You will therefore order him to be released from Confinement & to join his Regiment or some Recruits coming to join the same. I have inclosed his pardon.1 I am Sir Yr Hble servt

G:W.

Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1Mason’s letter to Congress of 11 Oct., which enclosed the judgment of a court-martial that John More, a private in the 4th Virginia Regiment, be shot for desertion, was read on 20 October. Two days later Congress resolved to follow the recommendation of the Board of War that the case be referred to GW for his final decision (see JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 9:822, 828). John Hancock enclosed the resolution in his first letter to GW of 25 October. The enclosed pardon, which Mason received on 25 Nov., has not been identified (see Mason to Henry Laurens, 25 Nov., DNA:PCC, item 78).

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