George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 May 1779

To Brigadier General Henry Knox

Head Quarters Middlebrook 13th May 1779.

Dr Sir.

I inclose you a petition from Robinson who is under sentence of death for your consideration. If you concieve from his present disposition, or past conduct—any hopes of his becoming a useful soldier, you have my permission to suspend his punishment—But if you imagine it indispensibly necessary to make an example you will have his sentence put into execution.1

Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. A purported LS was offered for sale in Anderson Galleries, New York, 31 Oct. 1918 catalog, item 367.

1. McHenry wrote the following additional text at this place on the draft before marking it out: “If the former you will acquaint me that.” For Peter Robinson’s crimes and uncertain fate, see General Orders, 12 May, and n.3 to that document.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 May 1779
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Knox, Henry
    Date
    13 May 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 13 May 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-20-02-0407. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 20, 8 April–31 May 1779, ed. Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2010, pp. 469–470.]

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