To George Washington from John McDonald, 25 February 1782

Sir	Lancaster, Pensylvania 25th February 1782.

Relying upon that liberality of sentiment you are universally considered to possess, I have presumed thus to address your Excellency to solicite your indulgence in the following request, which if you are good enough to grant, I shall ever retain a due sense of.

By the fortune of War I was taken prisoner under Lord Cornwallis at York in Virginia. I have an Uncle in St Mary’s County Maryland, John [Somervell] by name, whom I never saw, but as I have often heard my Mother mention him with great tenderness and affection. I am acceedingly desirous to pay him a visit,could I be so happy Sir, as to obtain your permission for that purpose.

As my request can in noways affect the Publick, and as I should hold a Parole in St Mary’s County, as sacred as in any other part of the Continent, I flatter myself General Washington will not give me a refusal. I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant,

John McDonald

Lieut. 80th British Regt

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

This early access document derives from raw transcriptions, prior to editing and publication in Rotunda's American History Collection. If this document is cited in formal research, it should be noted that it is not a final version, and that the URL you used to access it is not permanent.
Please report any errors or problems you notice in documents.