Honored Sir: Being acquainted with the contents of the petition sent you enclosed from Sem’r Arnold and Cowin should esteam it as a favour Dun unto them and my Self if it should have its Desired efect. But be that as it may an answer from His Excelenz Consearning the Same will Mutch oblige your very Humble Servant
To his Excellency George Clinton, Esqr. Governor.
Petition of Daniel Cowing and Seymour Arnold.
To his Excellency George Clinton Esquire Governor of the State of New York:
The Humble Petition of Daniel Cowing & Seymour Arnold.
Humbly Sheweth—That your Petitioners were by undue influence and evil Example unhappily led to desert their Station in the levies under Captain Williams on the Lines in the county of Westchester and though your Petitioners upon the first reflection were sensible of the enormity of their Crime & inclined to return to their Duty, the dread of Corporal punishment prevented them till pardon could be procured from their officers; that many applications for that purpose have been made by persons employed by your Petitr. without Effect, that your Petitr. are heartily sorry for, and ashamed of their conduct, are fully determined and solemnly promise never to be guilty of the same Crime again under any Circumstances or treatment whatsoever, that your Petrs. hope some indulgence from their known attachment to the Public cause as your petrs. have been in the service a great part of the time since the war Commenced and are now willing to make every amend in their power to the state by serving longer than the time limited or Otherways as your Excellency or their officers may appoint, if by your Excellency’s interposing in their favour your petrs. may be exempted from Corporal punishment for this offence and at Liberty to return to their duty immediately this your Petitrs. implore & hope from your Excellencys known Clemency.
And your Petrs. as in duty bound will ever Pray.
Poughkeepsie, Septr, 21st 1781.
Sir, I have rec’d your letter of this Date with the Petition of the Deserters from Capt. Williams’ Company & the request of the Overseers of Poor relative to Mrs. Webb.
The levies you may remember are by the Law put under the Command of the Commander in Chief & made subject to the Continental Articles of War. Genl. Heath has now the command of the Department & the application in behalf of the Petitioners should be to him. I cannot with Propriety interfere in the matter. But at any Rate they ought first to deliver themselves up & offer to return to their duty before they can expect a remission of the Punishment they have incurred.