Brigadier General William Smallwood

Reed 19-04 [1].jpg
Reed 19-04 [2].jpg

Title

Brigadier General William Smallwood

Subject

Paroled Prisoners

Description

Rare manuscript addressed from "Wilmington March 10th 1778" regarding the parole of a prisoner. LEtter signed, "yr very Obed. Sert WSmallwood"

Creator

Brig. General William Smallwood

Date

10 March 1778

Rights

John F. Reed Collection Valley Forge NHP

Identifier

Box 3, Folder 38, 19-04

Text

Wilmington March 10th 1778


Dear Sir,
The Bearer Mr. Chocran has obtained Permission on his Parole, to proceed down to Dover to attend on the Tryal of his Vessel & Cargo, which were sometime ago taken by Mr. Erskine at New Castle, the particular circumstances under which she was captured you will be the best judge of from the Evidence, which will be adduced, & which must determine your conduct in the case, it will be unnecessary to add what he urges on the occasion, farther than that his Motive was to serve Mr. Aiken in removing his Family & effects, & procuring & carrying up necessaries for some Families in Distress in Philadelphia, which form the testimony. I make no doubt will harm their proper Weight if properly supported – In justice to Mr. Chocran, I must urge he has conducted himself as a Prisoner with great propriety, has discover’d much modesty, and candor in his examination, & proceedings, & has ever been regular, punctual & consistent in his conduct, under his Parole, which induced me to give him greater indulgence, & to urge what I have said above in his favor, & am with much regard of esteem
Yr very Obed Hble Serv
W. Smallwood


REVERSE:

Letter from Genl.Wm. Smallwood March 1778