1. For the directions to investigate a Loyalist plot in Connecticut, see GW to Parsons, 22 Feb. (second letter). According to information recorded in British general Henry Clinton’s secret record of private daily intelligence, Parsons’s aide-de-camp Oliver Lawrence was at this time in communication with the British in New York City. The entry for 11 March includes: “Genl Parsons’s aid de Camp, whose name is Lawrence is soliciting leave to come in to see his mother. He thinks it is in our power to tamper with him [Parsons] and that from Parson’s mercenary disposition, there is little doubt of success.” (“Clinton’s Secret Record,” description begins “Sir Henry Clinton’s Original Secret Record of Private Daily Intelligence.” Contributed by Thomas Addis Emmett, with an Introduction and Notes by Edward F. DeLancey. Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries 10 (1883): 327–42, 409–19, 497–507; 11 (1884): 53–70, 156–67, 247–57, 342–52, 433–44, 533–44. description ends 10:503).

The British, primarily through reports from William Heron—ostensibly a spy for Parsons but actually a double agent—believed Parsons could be persuaded to go over to their side. Parsons remained loyal (see Van Doren, Secret History description begins Carl Van Doren. Secret History of the American Revolution: An Account of the Conspiracies of Benedict Arnold and Numerous Others drawn from the Secret Service Papers of the British Headquarters in North America now for the first time examined and made public. New York, 1941. description ends , 395–400; see also n.6 below).

2. Clinton and Vice Adm. Marriot Arbuthnot, acting as peace commissioners, issued in The Royal Gazette (New York) for 30 Dec. 1780 “A DECLARATION” (dated 29 Dec.) that invited “all the Colonies in Rebellion, separately as such, or any Associations of Men therein,” to send deputies to commence negotiations with commissioners and make propositions for restoring the union with Great Britain. The declaration promised a pardon “to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, the three Lower Counties on Delaware, New-Jersey, that part of New-York still in Revolt, Connecticut and Rhode Island … who shall on or before the First Day of July next ensuing, declare their Abhorrence of the Rebellion, separate from its Councils, and afterwards demean themselves as dutiful and peaceable Subjects of his Majesty’s Government” (see also Robert Hanson Harrison to GW, 26 Feb. 1781, and n.8). In that issue of The Royal Gazette, as well as the one for 3 Jan., this declaration was accompanied by another “DECLARATION” from the Board of Directors of Associated Loyalists seeking volunteer “Associators” to carry out raids on the seacoasts and attack Continental trade. Among the “benefits and rewards” of becoming an associator were receiving weapons and ammunition, rations, a division of the spoils taken in raids, and treatment in the king’s hospitals if sick or wounded. For this board, see John Mercereau to GW, 27 Nov. 1780, n.1; see also Benjamin Tallmadge to GW, 6 April 1781, and n.1 to that document.

While at New York on 20 Feb., William Franklin, royal governor of New Jersey and president of the Board of Directors of Associated Loyalists, had written Lord George Germain, secretary of state for the American colonies: “I have the pleasure to inform your lordship that notwithstanding all our difficulties we have about 5 or 600 loyalists already associated and that we have very encouraging accounts from the rebel country respecting the effects of our printed declaration. It appears to have greatly alarmed and dispirited the leaders of rebellion and proportionally pleased and animated the friends of His Majesty’s government. From Connecticut in particular we are told that upon an apprehension of our visits the Governor and Assembly have ordered two armed vessels and a large number of whaleboats to be immediately fitted out for the protection of their coast, but which they will not be able to accomplish if we meet with a proper support. And by a letter from a loyalist in that colony we are assured that there are upwards of 500 men who have agreed to join us if we will take post there, or else to come over to associate with our party on Long Island if we can assure them of provisions for their support until they are able to supply themselves from the enemy” (Davies, Documents of the American Revolution description begins K. G. Davies, ed. Documents of the American Revolution, 1770–1783; (Colonial Office Series). 21 vols. Shannon and Dublin, 1972–81. description ends , 20:64–65). For Connecticut council of safety orders to fit out whaleboats and armed vessels to suppress Loyalist activity, see Conn. Public Records description begins The Public Records of the State of Connecticut … with the Journal of the Council of Safety … and an Appendix. 23 vols. to date. Hartford, 1894–. description ends , 3:298, 341–42.

3. This word appears as “wheich” on the LS.

4. In his letter to Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., written at Redding on 3 March, Parsons provided additional details about the Loyalists: “What I most wish is to possess myself of the register and seize some of the principal characters, who do more mischief from their secret advice and direction than others by their open violation of the law. A general collection of provisions for the use of the enemy and furnishing them under various pretences, purchasing all the fat cattle in their power, seems to be part of their object; discrediting and depreciating the currency of the country by counterfeiting and other means; prohibiting French currency in New York and coining counterfeit guineas to be ushered into the country; to embarass and perplex our affairs by intimidating the weak, encouraging the wicked and enhancing the ideas of expense and misapplications of moneys, seem to be a system the disaffected are agents for carrying into execution. … A Lieut. Colonel and about twenty men were last night within about three miles of my quarters, and the Tories in general have assurances of the enemy’s making a descent to favor them between this time and the first of May, at which time the associators are to take arms and spread desolation through the country, and furnish the supplies of provisions on hand and join the enemy in their operations” (Hall, Life and Letters of General Parsons description begins Charles S. Hall. Life and Letters of Samuel Holden Parsons: Major General in the Continental Army and Chief Judge of the Northwestern Territory, 1737-1789. Binghamton, N.Y., 1905. description ends , 341–43, quotes on 342).

Parsons had conducted examinations of forty-three persons in Norwalk, Stamford, Stanwich, and Greenwich charged with aiding the enemy. From testimony, Parsons also compiled a list of another forty-seven persons who “appear to be concerned in these pernicious practices” (Parsons to Trumbull, 13 March, in Hall, Life and Letters of General Parsons description begins Charles S. Hall. Life and Letters of Samuel Holden Parsons: Major General in the Continental Army and Chief Judge of the Northwestern Territory, 1737-1789. Binghamton, N.Y., 1905. description ends , 343–44). For the testimony in one examination that named numerous individuals involved in the conspiracy, see Hall, Life and Letters of General Parsons description begins Charles S. Hall. Life and Letters of Samuel Holden Parsons: Major General in the Continental Army and Chief Judge of the Northwestern Territory, 1737-1789. Binghamton, N.Y., 1905. description ends , 344–45.

5. Parsons refers to measures the Connecticut legislature passed during a session that began on 21 Feb. and ended on 16 March. “An Act in Addition to a Law of this State entituled An Act for the Punishment of High Treason and other Atrocious Crimes against the State” made it high treason punishable by death for any citizen or resident of the state to adhere to the enemy or afford them aid and comfort. The same held for any citizen or resident making a written profession of allegiance to the British king or of royal authority or sovreignty over the state or its inhabitants. Anyone guilty of making verbal statements to that effect would be imprisoned for the duration of the war. Any citizen of the state or any of the United States who joined the enemy and then entered Connecticut to “rob or plunder” or “burn any dwelling-house or other building” or those aiding or assisting such persons would “not be considered and treated as prisoners of war.” Rather, if “convicted before the superior court or before a general court-martial,” the guilty “shall suffer death, or be otherwise punished by being whipped thirty-nine stripes and confined in NewGate prison during the continuance of the present war” (Conn. Public Records description begins The Public Records of the State of Connecticut … with the Journal of the Council of Safety … and an Appendix. 23 vols. to date. Hartford, 1894–. description ends , 3:307–8).

“An Act for the more effectually Preventing Inimical Persons in executing their Traiterous Designs against this State, and for the more speedy Tryal and Punishing of such Persons who may be guilty of Treasonable Practices against this and the United States” passed during the same session. Its preamble noted the “frequent and dangerous combinations” that “have been and are forming in aid of the enemy, greatly threatning the safety of this State.” The act authorized and empowered the state regiments or the state’s Continental regiments by order of any of their general officers to “seize and apprehend” any persons concerned in the practices or correspondence described in the preceding act. Such individuals would then be subject to a proper court-martial or delivered to the civil authority of the state (Conn. Public Records description begins The Public Records of the State of Connecticut … with the Journal of the Council of Safety … and an Appendix. 23 vols. to date. Hartford, 1894–. description ends , 3:308–9).

Trumbull commented on these acts when he wrote Parsons from Hartford on 16 March and concluded: “Of these laws and the subjects of them will be for you to judge and determine, and how far they may be extended for the public good and to prevent the mischief designed. We cannot but esteem ourselves obliged to you for your care and attention, and hope you will proceed as far as your powers and the public good will induce and permit, and you may depend on every support while you make them your object” (Hall, Life and Letters of General Parsons description begins Charles S. Hall. Life and Letters of Samuel Holden Parsons: Major General in the Continental Army and Chief Judge of the Northwestern Territory, 1737-1789. Binghamton, N.Y., 1905. description ends , 345–46).

6. The spy probably was Heron, who lived in Redding (see Hall, Life and Letters of General Parsons description begins Charles S. Hall. Life and Letters of Samuel Holden Parsons: Major General in the Continental Army and Chief Judge of the Northwestern Territory, 1737-1789. Binghamton, N.Y., 1905. description ends , 348–49). Heron likely remained loyal to the American cause despite his activities as a double agent (see GW to Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 June 1779, n.5).

7. GW replied to Parsons from New Windsor on 23 March: “Your Letter of the 14th Instant, was forwarded to me in my absence from this place, and met me on my return; since which this is the first leisure Moment I have had to attend to its contents.

“I am sorry to find the evil so deeply rooted—and that the defection is still gaining ground. From its extensive nature & pernicious tendency; I think every measure which policy and precaution can dictate ought immediately to be adopted to put a final stop to this illicit & treasonable intercourse. For this purpose, it will be well to consult the Governor on the subject, who himself, or with his Council will be best able to advise (upon your representation) whether it is expedient to apprehend all the characters you Mention, or let them all remain for the present, or to select some of the Most criminal & punish them in an exemplary manner, without disclosing the Names of the other Persons concerned.

“In the mean time, the joint efforts of the Civil and Military, should cooperate and harmonize in defeating the Machinations of the Enemy: it has been hinted that Agents have been employed for these purposes by Your Goverment, if so, these men & your Emissaries might give & receive mutual aid, at least they must be prevented from thwarting each other. When Matters are ripe for execution I would yeild the Necessary Military assistance; untill then the greatest secrecy will be necessary.

“If the man employed by you, should prosecute his discoveries to effect, upon as large a scale as you intimate, he will be entitled to the rewards proposed.

“It will be at your option, after having made proper arrangements in this affair, to return to the Army, when you shall judge your presence in the State, not absolutely necessary” (Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). For GW’s return from Rhode Island to New Windsor, see his letter to Rochambeau, 16 March, n.1.

Parsons again wrote GW from Redding on 23–26 March: “Agreeable to your Excellencys Orders, I have attended to the Business with which I was Charged; and have been through Various parts of the State where I judged the most Essential service might be Rendered; have succeeded in some Measure; but being Seized a few days ago with a fever am at present unable to stir abroad; hope in a short time to be able to attend to my duty where your Excellency shall direct; would wish it may be at Camp if thought best—should be happy to know your Excellency’s pleasure on this head; likewise to be favored with an answer to my Letter addressed to Your Excellency when absent on your Tour to the Eastward.” Parsons added a postscript on 26 March: “After writing the above, I received your Excellenceys Letter of the 23rd Instant: Observed the contents; but not able to answer it in full; I have matters of Importance to communicate to your Excellency which will do as soon as my health will admit, at present I am not able to stir from my Bed without help” (LS, DLC:GW). Parsons next wrote GW on 20 April.

Capt. Joseph Walker wrote GW from Danbury, Conn., on 30 March: “I am sorry to inform you that Major General Parsons is so reduced by his late illness and at times so far deprived of his reason, as makes it impossible for him to transact the Business which your Excellency expected. In the first of his illness he refered the whole business to me in hopes at that time of being able to attend himself in a few days, but I fear he will not this several weeks.

“A Number of Persons have been apprehended since the General wrote your Excellency; and are now in confinement at this Place. Some concerned in the Illicit trade, some taken at Gree[n]wich coming from the Enemy plundering, others concerned in the combination which is forming in this County & some of the last mentioned Characters are Capital Villians, having been Enlisting Men for the British service secreting Persons coming from & going to the Enemy; also conveying Dispatches from the Enemy to Canada & from there back to New York—all which I hope we may be able to make appear.

“The Person employed by the General is faithfull & attentive, & I flatter myself will make further discoveries of importance; at present shall extend our seising Persons no further than is absolutely necessary to prevent their escape and prevent any delay in finding out the grand plan.

“I would wish to know your Exellencies pleasure concerning those all ready apprehended & what is best further to be done upon the business” (ALS, DLC:GW; see also n.6 above).

GW replied to Walker from New Windsor on 1 April: “I have received Your Letter of the 30th of March, and feel myself sensibly distressed at the Account you give of the illness of General Parsons. I wrote to him the 23d Ult., on the business in which you are now employed, and must refer You, to that Letter, as the rule of conduct I would wish to have adopted. That is, to consult the Executive of the State on the Mode they think proper should be pursued in the further investigation of this Matter.

“As to the Persons already apprehended, such as are not propers Subjects for trial by a General Court Martial, ought to be delivered over to the Civil Authority; In Order to determine this, You can state to His Excellency the Govr the Names, Crimes, & Circumstances of the several Prisoners—And request his decision in what light they are to be considered &—in what Manner they are to be treated” (Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW; the date on the draft is written over “March 30”). Struck-out material after “Civil Authority” in the second paragraph of the draft reads: “It will be well to consult with Col. [Ebenezer] Gray, and the Other Field Officers who may be present, Under which of the above descriptions the several Prisoners are to be comprehended.”