To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 13 October 1780
From Major Henry Lee, Jr.
Octr 13th 80
I have made it my business to see the person who was Capt. Browns guide. From a minute examination of him I am confident that Gen. St Clair was named to deceive, that Capt. Brown did not see or hear from Gen. St Clair, & that Capt. Brown passed himself on his conductor as a person engaged in our service, altho’ his object was to communicate with some gentleman of consequence among us—I am apt to beleive that he was charged with dispatches for Gen. Arnold.1 I have the honor to be sir with perfect respect Your Excellencys most obt servt
Henry Lee Junr
ALS, DLC:GW.
GW replied to Lee on this date: “I am very glad yr letter of this date, has given strength to my own conviction of the innocence of the Gentn, who was the subject of your enquiry.
“I want to see you on a particular piece of business—if the day is fair, and nothing of consequence intervenes, I will be at the Marquiss’ Quarters by ten O’clock tomorrow. If this should not happen I shall be glad to see you at Hd Qrs” (ALS, NNPM). For the scheme to capture Benedict Arnold, see Lee to GW, 16 Oct., and GW to Lee, 20 October.
1. The presumable British officer referred to as Captain Brown has not been identified.