Mason, David, 1726-1794 to Henry Knox

GLC02437.00344

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GLC#
GLC02437.00344-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
22 June 1776
Author/Creator
Mason, David, 1726-1794
Title
to Henry Knox
Place Written
New York, New York
Pagination
1 p. : address Height: 18 cm, Width: 15 cm
Primary time period
American Revolution, 1763-1783
Sub-Era
The War for Independence

Lieutenant Colonel Mason relates intelligence from a private in the General's Guard named Lara Fraga, who claims several men in Captain Alexander Hamilton's company have enlisted in the "minesterall troops," meaning the Ministerial or British army. The currently detained private volunteered to identify them. This was part of the Continental Army's successful efforts to foil a Tory plot to capture or assassinate George Washington. The conspiracy was believed to have been organized by New York's governor, William Tryon, and the mayor of New York City, David Matthews. As many as eight of the conspirators were members of George Washington's personal guard, and one, Thomas Hickey, was hanged.

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