Mason, David (1726-1794) to Henry Knox
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00344 Author/Creator: Mason, David (1726-1794) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 June 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 18 x 15 cm. Order a Copy
Lieutenant Colonel Mason relates intelligence from a private in the General's Guard named Lara Fraga, who claims several men in Captain Alexander Hamilton's company have enlisted in the "minesterall troops," meaning the Ministerial or British army. The currently detained private volunteered to identify them. This was part of the Continental Army's successful efforts to foil a Tory plot to capture or assassinate George Washington. The conspiracy was believed to have been organized by New York's governor, William Tryon, and the mayor of New York City, David Matthews. As many as eight of the conspirators were members of George Washington's personal guard, and one, Thomas Hickey, was hanged.
[draft]
New York 6 Clock P.M. June 22
I just Recd Intelligence from a Gent in the City that one Lara Fraga Privat in the Genll Guard now under Confinemt Says that there is a Number of men in Captt Hamiltons Compy who have inlisted in the ministerall Troops which men he will point out if he Can See the Compy which I thought proper to Inform you [struck: I should have gone to the Genll But had no korse therefore]
I am with Respect
Yr David Mason
[address leaf]
To
Henry Knox Esqr
Collo Regt
Artillery
Present
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.