To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 April 1780
From Major Henry Lee, Jr.
Burlington [N.J.] April 21st 80
sir,
I had the honor to receive your Excellencys orders concerning the arrest of Lt Carns in consequence of a complaint lodged by Mr Samuel Allison of this town.1
I waited on Mr Allison & informed him of my readiness to execute your orders.
He gave me for answer, That he was perfectly satisfied, & wished the matter to be dropped.
This decision of the complainant arose not from his humanity or whiggism, but from a conviction of inconveniences which a full enquiry would involve him into.
It is official in me to acquaint your Excellency, & a piece of justice due Lt Carns, that his conduct on this occasion was warrantable by the previous circumstances which produced it, & that Mr Carns with chearfulness would meet his accuser before a civil or military tribunal.
I have the honor to be sir, with the most perfect respect your Excellency most ob. h: servt
Henry Lee Junr
We are still waiting for the necessary suppys from Philada.
The moment they arrive, (which I hope will be on sunday next,) the corps will march.2
H:L.
ALS, DLC:GW. Lee wrote “Cornet Heard” on the cover of this letter and apparently sent it by that officer.
James Heard (c.1760–1831), a New Jersey native, served in Col. Stephen Moylan’s cavalry regiment prior to becoming a cornet and paymaster in Lee’s corps in April 1779. Promoted to lieutenant and then captain, Heard remained in the army until the end of the war. Late in his life, when living in Woodbridge, N.J., Heard came under guardianship for being “a Lunatic” (DNA: RG 15, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800–1900).
1. For GW’s orders to Lee regarding Lt. Patrick Carnes, see his letter to Samuel Allinson, 10 April, n.2; see also Allinson to GW, 31 March and 19 April.
2. The following Sunday was 23 April. For the decision to delay the southward march of Lee’s corps, see GW to Lee or the Officer Commanding His Corps at Burlington, N.J., 30 March, n.2.