From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 July 1779
To Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons
[New Windsor] July 11: 1779
Dr Sir,
It is probable that the public may have occasion or at least wish to know at some period—the extent of the Enemy’s depredations and cruelties; indeed it is right that the World should know ’em. I therefore request that you will endeavour as far as Opportunity will permit to ascertain, as precisely as you can, what number of Houses they have destroyed in their expedition up the sound, distinguishing the Towns in which they were; and every other outrage that they have committed.1 I should be glad to receive a printed Copy of General Tryon’s proclamation which he has published.2 I am &c.
Go: Washington
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. For the British raids on Connecticut in early July, see GW to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 July, source note. For British excesses while in New Haven and Fairfield, see Parsons to GW, 31 July, notes 1 and 2.
2. See Parsons to GW, 14 July, and n.8 to that document.