To George Washington from William Foster, 23 June 1786
From William Foster
Bridlington Yorks[hir]e [England] 23 June 1786
Sir
In the Season of Warr when too often the voice of Humanity and the calls of Justice are stifled in the Rage and Tumult of the Contest, ’Twas Yours sir in the midst to exhibit that a delicate adherence to the Virtues of the mind may be united in the Breast of the Warrior and the Statesman.
In the beginning of the late unhappy dispute I was (not in Arms) taken going to Boston and carryed to your Camp at Cambridge, it was there I was indetted to you for personal Security and speedy Liberation, and it was in the Confidence of your Protection our Confinement was considerably alleviated.1
The Opportunity of a Relation passing near your door affords me the means of declaring to you how much I feel myself Sir Your obliged and Obedient servt
Wm Foster
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. William Foster was captain of the ship Jenny when it was captured in 1775 by the schooner Lee, John Manley captain. See William Bartlett to GW, 9, 11, 20 Dec. 1775, GW to John Hancock, 11 Dec. 1775, and notes of all these documents.