To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 2 February 1781
From General Henry Clinton
N. York, February 2d 1781.
Sir,
I have received Your Letter of the 25th Ultimo, and have communicated to Major Genl Phillips that part of it which relates to him.1
With respect to the admitting Mr John Franklin to reside here as Agent, I am to inform you, Sir, that his Conduct was so very exceptionable, when he lived in this City before, that the Commandant found it requisite to remove him, and his Family, without the Lines.2
The Naval Prisoners being entirely under the direction of the Officer Commanding The King’s Ships on this Station, I took the earliest opportunity of transmitting Your Letter to Vice Admiral Arbuthnot, through the Naval Officer Commanding at New York, and I am persuaded His Excellency will immediately direct the grievances complained of to be redressed, if, upon Enquiry, they are found to exist.3 I am Sir Your humble Servant
H. Clinton
LS, DLC:GW; copy, P.R.O: 30/55, Carleton Papers.
1. See GW to Clinton, 25 January.
2. For John Franklin’s removal from New York City, see Lewis Pintard to GW, 16 Dec. 1780.
3. For the British response, see George Dawson to GW, this date.