George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-23-02-0537

From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 December 1779

To Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons

Hd qrs [Morristown] Decr 23. 1779

Dr Sir

I received Yesterday both Your Letters of that date.1 The Note Mr Tilghman gave was only intended to authorise Hatfield to meet his Brother once, whom he expressed a desire of seeing and from which occasion he expected he might obtain some interesting intelligence.2 From the information I have had of the character of this family of people—I am by no means satisfied that they would answer any valuable purposes if they were employed—and therefore I wish it to be declined, at least for the present. If I should be authorised, by my farther inquiries to repose a proper confidence in them, matters of pay and privileges may be then adjusted.

I am not clear from your Letter, whether Mr Beatty’s Letter has gone to New York or not. If it has and the Articles requested by him of Mr Loring come out—You will send them back, it being my determination to prevent the practice, as far as it can be done in every possible instance. You call Mr Beatty’s Letter, which you inclose a Copy—if it is I wish to know how it came to your hands.3 I am, Dr sir with great regard Yr Most Obed. st.

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

1The two letters from Parsons to GW dated 22 Dec. have not been found.

2While unidentified, this note, presumably from GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman, likely involved John Smith Hatfield, who had colluded with the British, and his brother Cornelius Hatfield, Jr., who captained a company of New Jersey Loyalist associators. The Hatfields likely were connected with an attempt to establish a spy network (see Parsons to GW, 16 Dec., and GW to Parsons, 18 Dec.).

3The enclosed letter from John Beatty, commissary general of prisoners, to Joshua Loring, British commissary general of prisoners, has not been identified. For an expression of GW’s desire to end trade with the British in New York City, see his letter to William Livingston, 12 Dec.; see also Parsons to GW, 26 Dec. (first letter), postscript.

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