Varick transcript, DLC:GW. On this date GW’s aide Tench Tilghman wrote Commissary of Prisoners John Beatty, apparently enclosing a copy of a letter of 20 July written by William Cleveland to Ezekiel Williams. Cleveland, a lieutenant of the 10th Continental Infantry who had been captured in the retreat from New York, 15 Sept. 1776, complained: “The circumstances attending my Confinement, are no less singular than cruel, it is almost two years since I was made prisoner, have received but very little supplies from the Public; have had the mortification to se a considerable number of my Rank taken some two, Some four, Some Seven, some twelve, and Some fifteen Months after me, Exchanged whilst I am left, but for what reason I know not” (DLC:GW). Tilghman told Beatty, “By the inclosed letter it appears that Mr Cleveland has great reason to complain; but I am certain that it has not been owing to any wilfull neglect in either Mr Boudinott or yourself. I am apt to beleive that the Gentlemans name has been omitted in the Return of prisoners. His Excellency desires that you would make enquiry as soon as possible, and if his Case is such as he represents, that immediate means may be fallen upon to procure his Exchange” (DLC:GW). Cleveland, who died in 1778, was still a prisoner on Long Island when a return of American officers and other prisoners was compiled on 15 Aug. (DNA: RG 93, Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775–1783), but his service records indicate that he was eventually exchanged.