To George Washington from William Stephens Smith, 26 February 1783
Dobbs’s ferry 26th Feby 1783
Sir
Inclosed I have the honor of forwarding to your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from Mr Robert Hoakesly accompanied with a memorial and the original Invoice of Merchandize shiped on board the Sloop Convert, with affidavits annexed, tending to prove the propriety of the prayer of his Memorial. I am Your Excellency’s most obedt Servt
W.S. Smith Lt Colo.
PHi: Gratz Collection.
Enclosure
New York 20th February 1783
Sir
I flatter my-self your goodness will render an appology unnecessary for the freedom of this Letter, when you consider of what importance the subject is to me, that occasions my writing it.
In the month of December Last, I sent from here a memorial to his Excellency General Washington which I understood from Mr Sproat Commissary of prisoners was delivered to you Sir, to be forwarded, as I have not been honour’d with an answer from His Excellency to the request contain’d in the Memorial, beg leave to enclose a Copy of it Least the original should be lost or mislaid, and also Affidavits in support of the Injuries Complain’d of.
Should my application to the General require that Brazel and Mackelheney be Examined viva voce, it would lay me under particular Obligations if I could get leave soon to come with them within the American Lines as one if not both of them will shortly go to nova Scotia in this situation my anxiety cannot but be great, and I trust you will Excuse me for requesting the favour of you to lay my papers before General Washington as soon as possible. I have the honor to be with every sentiment of respect Sir Your most Obedt & Humble Servt
Robt Hoakesly