DeWurmb, Lt. C.
Another dated Westbury 23d Apl. 1781 reads:
To Major Kissam, Cowbay. Sir, I enclose a passport for Mr. Heron, and should wish for his return to Stamford whenever the wind will permit of it. I have not yet received an answer from New York but as soon as those things wanted by Gen. Parsons shall arrive I will not fail to forward them to the General by another flag.—I have the honor to be with great regard, Sir, Your most Obedt. humble servt.
DeWurmb, Lt. C.
Probably Heron feared he would not be able to reach Headquarters. He therefore from his place of confinement addressed a long letter to Major DeLancy which unfortunately for General Parsons has been preserved. This letter explains the progress he had made since his last visit. It is dated April 24th, and reads:
“The business I had to negotiate with Genl. P——s after my return home, I paid the utmost attention to, and in order to break the ice (as says the vulgar adage) I found myself under the necessity of summoning what little address I was master of, in order to secure myself a retreat should the matter I had to propose prove disagreeable to P——s. Therefore after giving him a satisfactory account of my commercial negotiation (which I knew would be alluring to him) I introduced the other branch of the business in the following manner. I told him that in justice to the confidence he reposed in me, I conceived myself in duty bound to conceal no material circumstance from him. Impressed with this sense I begged leave to communicate the substance of a conversation I had with a gentleman at New York, whom I knew to be in the highest confidence with the Commander in chief.... ‘The terms offered by the parent state’ continued the gentleman, ‘are so liberal and generous, that I wonder at any gentleman of an enlarged and liberal mind, giving his assistance in prolonging the calamities of his country, and as General P——s is well known to possess these talents as well as great influence in the army and country, Government would wish to make use of him for the laudable and honorable purpose of lending his aid in terminating this unhappy war in an amicable Re-union with the parent State: should he undertake it, Government will amply reward him, both in a lucrative and honorary way and manner, besides, I super-added, making a provision for his son.’
“... During this conversation I observed that he listened with uncommon attention, and as it grew very late, he said it was a matter which required deliberation, he therefore postponed it to another opportunity,
“Next morning he sent for me and resumed the subject of our last or preceding nights discourse. He said he had weighed the matter and found himself, upon the strictest examination, disposed to a reconciliation and to effect which he would use his influence and lend his aid to promote it, but that he saw the embarrassments in his way in regard to inculcating such principles in the army, though he did not doubt, but in time, he could bring the officers of the Connecticut line over to his opinion. That in order to effect it he thought he could do it more to the purpose by resigning his commission, which would save every appearance of those honorary ideas, inseperable from the military profession; that he would draw after him the officers above referred to, who look up to him as a father, and that their joint influence would be exerted among the citizens, which would turn the tables in favor of Government in our State: but in consideration of those services, he must have a reasonable and meet compensation for his Commission, it being all he had to depend upon.”
Filed with the above are other papers which show that he was permitted to reach Headquarters. They are dated 25th April, 1781, and read:
“Memorandums taken of a conversation with Hiram.