To George Washington from Major David Salisbury Franks, 4 July 1778
From Major David Salisbury Franks
Philadelphia 4th July 1778
General Arnold being very unwell has ordered me to Answer your Excellency’s Letter of 30th June. he will give every Assistance in his Power to General Portail.
Col. Hartly’s Regiment came here three days since and is detained agreable to your Excellency’s Order. Congress having given no directions for any other disposition.
The General’s wound continues in a fair Way, but he has been afflicted for some days with a violent Oppression in ⟨the⟩ Stomach, he is however much better this Morning & hopes soon to be well.
| The Number of British deserters | 136 |
| The Number of Foreigners | 440 |
| 576 |
This Account is taken from the Town Majors Return.1 I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Your Excellencys most obedient, most humble Servant
Davd S. Franks
This Morning a Duel was fought between Generals Cadwallader & Conway the latter was shot thro’ the Head & ’tis suppos’d will not recover.2
ALS, DLC:GW. The letter was docketed in part, “from Genl Arnold Ansd”; see GW to Benedict Arnold, 6 July. David Salisbury Franks (c.1740–1793) was one of Arnold’s aides-de-camp. For a summary of his activities during the war, see his letter to GW of 12 May 1789 (, 2:278–81).
1. The town major at Philadelphia was Lewis Nicola.
2. According to Richard Henry Lee’s letter to Francis Lightfoot Lee of 5 July, Maj. Gen. Thomas Conway, “having been informed of some disrespectful words spoken of him by Gen. Cadwallader,” challenged him, “and they met on the Common yesterday morn. They threw up for the first fire & Cadwallader won it. At a distance of 12 paces he fired and Shot Conway thro the side of the face, on which he fell & was carried off the field. He is supposed not to be in danger unless an unforeseen inflamation should produce it” (, 10:223).