1From George Washington to William Franklin, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your letter of the 22d instant by express. I heartily sympathise with you in your distressing situation; but however strong my inclination to comply with your request, it is by no means in my power to supersede a positive resolution of Congress, under which your present confinement took place. I have enclosed your letter to them, and shall be happy it may be found...
2George Washington to William Franklin, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 25, 1777. Expresses sympathy with Franklin’s request to see sick wife. Regrets that commanding general cannot supersede a congressional resolution, but has forwarded Franklin’s letter to Congress. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Franklin, the last Loyalist governor of New Jersey, was at this time imprisoned in Connecticut because...
3From George Washington to William Franklin, 29 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to what I wrote you a few days ago I transmitted your letter to me to Congress. Inclosed you have their answer by a Resolve of the 28th with Copy of the Certificate which was granted by you to Robert Betts while upon your parole. It appears that this Act has laid Congress under the necessity of refusing your Request. I am &ca. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...