Since my last Letter under the 13th Ulto. I have had the honor of presenting in due course to Congress, your several favors of the 5th, 21st, & 30th of the past Month,(1) that of the 21st is committed to a special Committee, of the 30th to the Board of War & remain unreported.
Capt. Gilbert of Massachusets & Capt. Holmes of New Hamshire having informed me that during their late Captivity at New York several Officers of the Convention troops had come into that City upon parole, some on furloughs for no less than six Months, obtained by such Officers from the Commissary of Prisoners or from some other person pretending to have authority at Boston & that Gold had been paid in Boston for these illicit permits; Congress have directed me to give you this intimation, & to request you will immediately make a strict enquiry into the fact, that you will also make a return of all the Convention Troops under your charge, Officers & Men, & account for absentees.(2)
I have the honor to be, With great Esteem & Respect, Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant.
Henry Laurens.
President of Congress.
1 Laurens apparently had forgotten that he had written to Heath since September 13 and had acknowledged receipt of the first two of these letters in his October 2 letter to Heath. For Heath's September 30 letter to Congress, which is in PCC, item 157, fols. 260-8, see JCC, 12:992-93.
2 For Congress' October 5 resolution ordering Laurens to inquire into the truth of these charges, see JCC, 12:984. See also Laurens to Horatio Gates, October 29, 1778.