To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 12 November 1780
From Major General William Heath
West point November 12th 1780
Dear General,
I have been honored with yours of the 9th instant. I hope your Excellency’s representation to the honorable the Congress of the necessity of this post being supplied with Flour before the roads are rendered impassable will have the desired effect.1
The commissary has just informed me that there is not a barrel of Flour in the Store; but the Troops are served for two days, in which time I hope relief will arrive from some quarter.
By this conveyance I forward the proceedings of a Court of enquiry on Lt Colonel Varick relative to his connexion in General Arnold’s family &c.
The Court have not yet finished their enquiry on Major Franks—that shall follow when it is given in.2
No News from the Northward since my last.3 I have the honor to be With the highest respect and esteem Your Excellency’s Most obedient Servant
W. Heath
LS, DLC:GW; ADfS, MHi: Heath Papers.
1. See GW to Heath, 9 November.
2. Courts of inquiry exonerated Lt. Col. Richard Varick and Maj. David S. Franks, aides-de-camp to Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold, of complicity in his treason (see Documents XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII with The Discovery of Major General Benedict Arnold’s Treachery, 25 Sept.–24 Nov., editorial note, especially Document XXI, and n.1 to that document).
3. GW replied to Heath on 16 Nov. (second letter). Heath previously had written GW on 10 Nov.; that letter contained enclosures with information on developments along the New York frontier.