ALS, DLC:GW. Howe wrote “favd by Doctr Kirkland” on the cover. Samuel Kirkland was prominent as a Congregational minister and missionary to the Oneida Indians.

Brig. Gen. John Paterson also wrote GW from West Point on this date: “The inclosed are from a number of the first Gentlemen in Berkshire in favor of King now under sentence of death. I am particularly acquainted with his circumstances. His Mother was drove by the Enemy from Balltown & thereby greatly distressd. when he deserted he went directly home and was exceedingly industrous. all his earnings were Appropriated to the subsistance of the family—it appears that nothing but the distress of his Mother and Fartherless Brothers and sisters induced him to be Guilty of so henious a Crime” (LS, DLC:GW; the docket indicates that this letter was from both Paterson and Howe). Paterson enclosed three letters addressed to him from Stockbridge, Mass., on 5 June (all DLC:GW), including one from William Walker, register of probate in Berkshire County, Mass.: “Mr Kirkland informs me that by the desire of a number of People of Character he is on a journey to Camp, to endeavour the repreve of William King, now under Sentence of Death for Desertion, I wish never to have the Laws evaded or trifled with in matters of that nature, no Person views the Crime of Desertion with more Detestation than myself, nevertheless I can’t but think there is many aleveating Circumstances in this Case of King’s which in some measure intitles him to Clemency which together with the distressed Circumstances of his mother should he be executed, (particulars of which Mr Kirkland will inform you) induces me desire your influence in obtaining his Repreve.

“I never made a request of this nature before, and nothing but viewing him more unfortunate tha[n] Criminal could induce me to do it now” (the letter’s cover reads: “Fav’d pr Mr Kirkland”).

Capt. Jesse Hollister wrote that “by the Request of Mr Catling and a Number of other Respectfull Inhabitents I have been Induced to wright you a few Lines Requesting you to assist Mr Catling in getting a Pardon for Wm King a Soldier Belonging to Col. Vanskaks Regment if it be Consistint with the good of the Service as he is a Soldier Which has bore a Good Charictor till Now.”

Berkshire County probate judge Timothy Edwards wrote: “At the particular request of, a number of prin[c]ipal Gentlemen in this Town, as well as in the town of Lee, the Revd Mr Kirkland undertakes, to ride to West Point, to solicit for the pardon of one William King, of Van Schaack’s Regmt who we hear is under sentance of death for desertion—His mother is a hapless Widdow in the last mentioned town, being driven from her home at Balltown, and made helpless by the ravages of our enemies in that quarter—Could it consist, with the dissipline and good of the army, it would be an act of high benevolence to a fond mother, greatly distressed, aside of this event, to procure a pardon her son.”