To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 14 May 1780
From Major General Robert Howe
Highlands [N.Y.] May 14th 1780
Dear Sir.
If it is convenient I should be glad to have a part of the Corps of Executioners attached to this Department, those finishers of the Law having become immediately & absolutely necessary to us, If your Excellency thinks it proper please hasten to us some of these People without delay.
The Enemy have several times lately been acting against Colo. Millen, with both Horse and Infantry, and he has had some hair-Bredth Escapes, as the Country is now open he can not remain in tolerable Safety upon the Lines without some Horse1—I therefore think it my Duty to lay this matter before you Sir, and beg the favour of receiving your Directions thereupon as soon as possible.2 with the Greatest Respect I am Dear Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obt Servant
Robert Howe
LS, DLC:GW.
1. For the activities of Lt. Col. James Mellen, who had ordered a detachment to intercept a British party “marauding in the Neighbourhood of Sing-Sing,” see Howe to GW, 6 May (first letter), and the source note to that letter; see also Howe to GW, 25 March, and n.2 to that document.
2. No reply from GW to Howe has been found.