George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 8 June 1781
To Major General Robert Howe
Head Quarters New Winsor 8th June 1781
sir
M. Kirkland has delivered me your Letter of Yeste[r]day with one from B. Genl Patterson, respecting King under sentance of Death—In Consequence of these Sollicitations in his Favr—I have consented that he shall be pardoned for his Offence—& not subjected to the Execution of his Sentence—his Release from Service for obvious Reasons is not admissible—you will be pleas’d to send him by the fir[s]t good Opportunity to his Regiment in Albany.1
John Henesey a Soldier of the 2d N. York Regiment, you will be pleasd to send under a proper Guard to Albany—to the Direction of Brigr Genl Clinton, by him to be brot to Execution, or pardoned, as the Genl on Consideration of Circumstances, shall think proper.2
Inclosed is the Proceedings of the Court Martial of the 5th June instant—the Sentance again[s]t Troy Lee being approved.3 I am Sir Your most Obedt humle Servant.
Df, in Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.’s writing, DLC:GW; copy (extract), NHi: Miscellaneous Manuscripts; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The extract consists of the second paragraph.
1. See Howe to GW, 7 June, and the source note to that document.
2. Pvt. John Hennesey, convicted of desertion, apparently received a pardon, because he remained in military service until the end of the war (see General Orders, 29 May, and n.3 to that document).
3. The enclosed court-martial proceedings have not been found, but see General Orders, 7 June.