George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 24 October 1780

To Major General William Heath

Head Quarters prekaness 24th October 1780

Dear Sir

In one of my former, I barely acknowledged the receipt of your favor of the 19th.1 Business prevented my going fully into it. I wish it was in my power to give a satisfactory answer to the representation made by Doctor McKnight in behalf of the Gentlemen of the Hospital, on the subject of Cloathing. They are not the only sufferers—There are a great number of the Officers of the line, who have never derived any benefit from particular States or from the public. I have repeatedly remonstrated upon the hardship of their situations, but I have heard of no competent provision being made. If there are any small matters in the Store at Newburgh proper for Officers, I have no objection to their being delivered out, in due proportions, to those who have derived no State benefits, and do not expect any this winter. The Officers of Lambs Artillery—and Hazens—Livingstons and Spencer’s Regiments will draw a few yards of Cloth and three or four shirts each from hence, for which an allowance must be made, should there be any goods at Newburgh.

I must refer Colo. Campbells application to Congress. There is a Resolve passed in June last, which seems to preclude those, who are not in actual service, from drawing Rations, but directs the value to be paid in Money.2

If the Officers of Colo. Sheldons Regt are of opinion that the execution of one of the Dragoons has been a sufficient example, I have no objection to granting a pardon to the other.

I find among Arnolds papers the proceedings of two Courts Martial against Loveberry—Ackerly and Weeks, all capitally convicted for coming out as Spies.3 Be pleased to say whether the person detained in the provost is either of the foregoing.4 I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington

LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1See GW to Heath, 22 Oct., found at Heath to GW, 21 Oct., n.3.

2For this congressional resolution, see JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 17:503; see also Samuel Huntington to GW, 15 June, n.1.

3Nathaniel Aherly and Reuben Weeks “Pleaded Not Guilty” to spy charges on 21 Aug., as did Jonathan Loveberry on 30 Aug. (DNA: RG 93, manuscript nos. 31521 and 31522).

Nathaniel Aherly was a Loyalist from Westchester, N.Y., who joined the Queen’s Rangers.

Reuben Weeks and Jonathan Loveberry (d. 1815) were Loyalists who served under Col. James De Lancey. Loveberry escaped after being captured in August 1780 and died in Canada.

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