Autographs
Historic 1781 Death Sentence by Major General Robert Howe Continental Army Revolutionary War Letter - The West Point Commander Transmittal for a Continental Soldier Sentenced To Death At Court Martial
GENERAL ROBERT HOWE (1732 - 1786). Major General in the Continental Army; commanded West Point; ran an important American Spy network against the British.
June 20, 1781-Dated Revolutionary War, Rare West Point Continental Army Manuscript Letter Signed, "R. Howe," Commanding West Point, being a Death Sentence Transmittal for an American Soldier, Very Fine. Exceedingly Rare and Historically Important Revolutionary War Manuscript Letter was written while Howe was in command at West Point, 1 page, measuring 8” x 6.75” dated June 20, 1781. Overall, this letter is very clean, nice and fully readable. It is specifically mentioned in the major reference work: “The Writings of George Washington”. This Letter reads, in full:

“West Point - 20th June 1781 -

Sir - I send you under guard John Hennesey of your line who has been sentenced to Death by a Court Martial - The enclos'd Extract from his Excellency Genl. Washington's Letter to me, I transmit for your Government. I am with much Regret.- Dear Sir. - Your most obediant - Robt. Howe”. In his postscript, Howe adds a most personal plea: “I should be glad if you can spare the life of Henesey.”

The verso bears two dockets in two different hands, one likely General James Clinton's, reading:

"From Gen'l Howe June 20th 1781" and "Sends John Henessey a private to be executed or pardoned as the Genl sees fit - requests his pardon".

In, “The Writings of George Washington”, a letter to Major General Robert Howe is recorded as being send a letter noted as: “June 8 Pardon for a soldier under sentence of death --- case of John Henesey.” On June 8, 1780, George Washington wrote to Robert Howe from his Headquarters in New Windsor, New York, ordering that Henesey, a soldier with the 2nd N.Y. Reg., be sent to General James Clinton in Albany: "to be brought to Execution, or pardoned, as the Genl on Consideration of Circumstances, shall think proper..." Henesey's fate is apparently unknown.
ROBERT HOWE (1732 - 1786), Major General in the Continental Army, stymied by his lack of control over the forces in the South, later saw action under General “Mad” Anthony Wayne in New York. General Howe also put down a revolt of Continental soldiers who served under George Washington, by executing its three Continental Army soldier “ring leaders”. Robert Howe also ran an important American Spy network against the British in the Northeast.

A recorded letter from General George Washington reads: To MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT HOWE - Head Quarters, New Windsor, May 7, 1781.

Dear Sir: I have received your favors of the 12th: of April from Portsmouth, and 19th: from Boston. Business of a very urgent public nature will oblige me to send General Heath immediately to the Eastern States. I am therefore under the necessity of desiring your Return as speedily as possible to take the command at West point, which, with all its dependencies, will be left with only one Brigadier. I am etc.”