9 January 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army is situated to General Burgoyne, commander of the Convention Army. Complains that British troops are guilty of abusive behavior toward the sentries and guards at Prospect Hill. Says they are repeatedly insulted and at times beat and disarmed. Claims soldiers are "disorderly in the extreme" and that there was singular incident last night, which has forced him to send a number of rioters to a prison ship. Says Burgoyne promised to uphold order among his troops when they arrived, and he wants him to…

GLC04764.49

January 10, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army is situated to General Burgoyne as commander of the Convention Army. References Burgoyne's letter of 9 January 1778. Disagrees with Burgoyne's's assertion that American guards and sentries are provoking British soldiers. Says he has heard the insults and abuses from the British troops are "unparalleled," and says they will no longer occurred with impunity. Says if anyone sent to a prison ship is innocent, they will be returned, but otherwise he will not apologize for those guilty of violating…

GLC04764.50

January 13, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army was situated to General Burgoyne as commander of the Convention Army. References letter from Burgoyne of 13 January 1778. Says he immediately ordered Colonel David Henley, who was accused of abusing British soldiers and of murder, arrested and a court of inquiry will be convened. Says Burgoyne might not be satisfied with a court of inquiry, but that is the usual first step to deal with problems in "our Army," especially with men who command a post like Henley. Says they will be protected and…

GLC04764.52

January 14, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army was being held to General Burgoyne as Convention Army commander. Says it appears likely the transports will soon arrive to take the Convention soldiers to Britain. Because of this development Heath says he needs a list of names, former residences, occupations, sizes, ages, and descriptions of every non-commissioned officer and private soldier in Convention Army. Says he has sent Major Massaraw to take down the names, as there were objections to Major Brown before. Marked "No. 48" near docket. Red…

GLC04764.55

January 18, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army was situated to General Burgoyne as commander of the Convention Army. References Burgoyne's's letter of 17 January 1778. Says all accounts must be settled in a fair manner as stated in his letter of 3 January 1778. Asks that letters and papers intended to be sent to Sir William Howe by Mr. Clarke be sent to him first. Says the papers will be returned to Clarke by this evening. Says Clarke's parole and passport will be sent up. Says he will answer the part of Burgoyne's letter that deals with…

GLC04764.58

January 30, 1778

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Burgoyne

Written by General Heath as American commander of the district where the captured British Convention Army was situated to General Burgoyne as commander of the Convention Army. References Burgoyne's letter of 24 January 1778. Apologizes for tardy reply. Heath references his own letter of 22 January where he claims no apprehension of an ill use of the officers's fusees (sidearms). Says he wanted to satisfy the minds of the public who said it might be a good idea to collect them. Says while Burgoyne's word that the fusees would not be given to the officers would be enough for him, it is not…

GLC04764.60

February 28, 1792

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Printed document

Title: [Application and petition on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Massachusetts regiments of the Continental Army for compensation as a result of their services during the American Revolution]

Written by a Committee appointed "by the Officers of the Massachusetts line of the late army to attend to and prosecute their memorial to the Congress of the United States, on the subject of compensation for the losses sustained by them and the soldiers who served during the war ... " States that they have yet to receive anything for their services from the government and will continue to petition "until we obtain consideration and relief; or until it shall be declared by the voice of the United States in Congress, that our claims are visionary and without foundation; and that a hard-earned…

GLC02437.10244

1781/10/28

Heath, William, 1737-1814

Letter signed

Title: to John Hancock re: detailed news of Cornwallis' surrender

GLC07478