From George Washington to Major Justus Christoph de Meibom, 15 May 1779
To Major Justus Christoph de Meibom
Hd Qrs Middlebrook 15th May 1779
sir.
I am sorry that I cannot at this moment grant your request for an officer to go into New-York. But I shall pay a particular attention to any letter which you may write relative to the obtaining a present supply of money; and order the commissary of Prisoners Mr Beatty, to transfer whatever return may be made to your application.1 I am Sir &
G.W.
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Meibom, a major of Brunswick Dragoons who had been captured at the Battle of Bennington, had written to GW from Bethlehem, Pa., on 27 April: “The subscriber in Company with 15 German Officers more came out of New York on his parole in the beginning of this year. His hopes to be spedely exchanged having hitherto failed he finds himself destitute of money, to support himself and the Officers with him amongst strangers. It is therefore he begs leave to desire Your Excellency to grant him a pass for sending an Officer on parole to New York in order to fetch the money required for his subsistence. By granting his request You will very much oblige Your Excellency’s must obedient humble servant” (DLC:GW). GW granted permission in March 1780 for an officer to enter New York City on Meibom’s behalf, and in May 1781 he allowed Meibom to go to the city on parole (see GW to John Beatty, 2 March 1780, and GW to Elias Dayton, 11 May 1781, both in DLC:GW).