Clinton, George (1739-1812) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01642 Author/Creator: Clinton, George (1739-1812) Place Written: Poughkeepsie, New York Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 5 October 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 34 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Written by New York Governor Clinton to Major General Knox. Says he lately received a letter from Colonel Tilghman of General Washington's staff informing him of the capture of three Tories, all natives of Milford, Connecticut: Joseph Northrop, Daniel Rogers, and Benjamin Merchant. Says they were captured in Long Island Sound, sent to headquarters by Colonel Thomas, and then conveyed to the provost at West Point. Tells Knox that he has been recommending sending such captives to the nearest military post so the Americans can get the benefit of prisoner exchange. Says that previously, for want of knowing what to do with these prisoners, they escaped, eliminating the chance for an exchange.
Poughkeepsie 5h. October 1782
Sir
I Lately received a Line from Col. Tilghman informing me that Joseph Northrop Daniel Rogers and Benjamin Merchant Natives of Milford in Connecticut who had joined the Enemy and were sometime since captured in the Sound were sent to Head Quarters by Col. Thomas and from thence conveyed to the Provost at West Point and requesting me if I had any Directions to give respecting them to communicate them to the Command[ant] of West Point In Consequence of which I now take the Liberty of mentioning that I know Nothing of these Persons particularly, but sometime ago Col. Thomas having informed me that there were many Captures of this kind and that for want of knowing how to dispose of the Prisoners they were frequently suffered to escape by which Means we loss the Benefit of exchanging them I advised him to have them conveyed to the nearest Military Post……………to be reported to the Commissary General of Prisoners whom I presumed would take Order respecting them
I have the Honor to be Sir
with great Respect and Esteem
The Honble Your most Obedt. Servt.
Major General Knox Geo Clinton
[address leaf]
From
Govr. Clinton
5 Octo 1782
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