1From William Stephens Smith to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 16 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to his Excellency’s request, I have inform’d myself as fully as possible respecting the Character of Chelmer & find that in 78. he was attached to Colo. Laridier the Enginier at West Point, that according to his own account, he was a deserter from the Convention Troops, a Scotchman by birth Educated at Paris, he appear’d a man of address, and his manners superior to his station. From...