George Washington Papers
Documents filtered by: Project="Washington Papers"
sorted by: editorial placement
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-03-02-0034

To George Washington from the Stonington Committee of Safety, 8 January 1776

From the Stonington Committee of Safety

Stonington [Conn.] January 8th 1776

Sir

The Comtee of Correspondence & Safety in this place, to whose Consideration Your Excellency, by letter dated the 27th of Novr last was pleased to refer the affair of one Denny, and his captur’d Vessel & Cargo; having on the first of December transmitted to You, Their Proceedings relative thereto;1 beg leave now to report further—that (having notified all Persons concern’d) after a full hearing & careful Examination & Enquiry of the several Evidences before us, (consisting of People on Board said Vessel when Taken, and of the neighbours suppos’d best acquainted with the Character of Sd Denny and one Buddington who, for some Reasons weare suspected of being toryistical) cannot Find that Either of them have adopted or pursued any measure really inimical to America, or in any thing acted a Part so obnoxious, but that, they, upon paying the necessary and Occasional Charges might without further Delay or Trouble have said Vessel & Cargo Restor’d to them—unless the mere Act of Sd Denny’s availing himself, & being Possess’d of the inclosed Certificate & Clearance, when taken, should be deem’d a Sufficient Bar in the Way; relative to which, the Bearer is desir’d to wait and Receive Your Excellencys Resolution & Commands2—from Your Most obedient humble servant

By order of the Committee

Joseph Denison Chairman

LS, DLC:GW.

1The letter of 27 Nov. 1775 was apparently written on GW’s behalf by Stephen Moylan. See the Stonington Committee of Safety to GW, 1 Dec. 1775, n. 1. For the capture of John Denny’s sloop Warren off the coast of Nova Scotia on 5 Nov., see Nicholson Broughton and John Selman to GW, 6 Nov. 1775.

2Robert Hanson Harrison replied to Denison on 20 Jan.: “I am commanded by his Excellency to Acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 8 Inst: As you from having fully inquired into matters respecting the Capture of Captain Dennys vessell, must be better able to determine the propriety of the same than he is, he again refers it intirely to your decision, In full confidence that the same will be founded upon the principles of Equity & the strictest Justice” (DLC:GW). The enclosures have not been identified.

Index Entries