Back to the American Revolution... When last we left John Mason, he was rotting in the provost in July 1780, under sentence of death for multiple robberies on Long Island. Fast-forward to December 1780. Same provost, new plea to Sir Henry Clinton, and this one worked. His offer of serving as a spy was accepted, and in two weeks or so, he was off to meet the mutineers of the Pennsylvania Line, and his destiny. "Sir, With all submission and Esteem, I most Humbly approach your Honr. with these Lines Viz. Acquainting (and to remind) your Honr, that I was in your presence some time ago, in the Provost, wherein your Honr. Inform’d me, that if I could get any Gentleman, to be my security for my Loyalty and future Behavior; I would be Recd. into Mercy, and Employ’d from Head Quarters, or perticulars Sr. relating to this effort. May it please your Honr, I answer’d, that I did not scruple, but that Mr. Mathews, the Mayor, wou’d please to be it; his Worship being well acquanted with my Loyalty, to which your Honr. reply’d, that Mr. Mathews wou’d do, and told me, to write to him Immediately; which I did but Recd. no Answer; and should his Worship not please to be my Bail, I shall Humbly resign my Deplorable situation Into the Mercy, and Clemency, of his Excellency Genl. Clinton, who has Recd. some marks of my Loyalty; and at the same Sr, does Defy my greatest Enemies, to ever accuse me, with the least Disloyalty, towards my Gracious Sovereign; and has perform’d as much for Goverment, as most within the Lines for one in my Station nor even Sr, my long Confinement with my Wifes; and Living on short allowance, shall never make me Derogate, from my allegiance, but has Exaspirated me to Desperation, against the Rabels; they being the Instigation, of all my Misfortunes, and should it Sr, ever be in my power, I shall Endeavour to retaliate the Murder, of the Brave Major Andre; and should his Excellency, most Graciously please, to receive me into Mercy, and Extricate me from my Confinement; I am willing to serve his Excellency in the Capacity of a Spy; and being well acquainted with the Colonies; is able to Convey any private Dispatches to any of Genl. Arnolds friends (in whom he can Confide) wherein Intelligences can be obtain’d; and my own Remarks in my Different routs; &c. &c. May it please your Honr, should ever my Beheavior, for the future be, Beneath the Charecter of a Loyal subjack; or any Deceptions found against me; Concerning any private trust; reposed in me, I than Sr, desire the most Cruelest tortures; and Ignomanious Death, and your Honr. may be fully assured; I shall run all risques; and strain every Nerve, to retrive my former Charecter; Sr, with a hope of Confidence, and Relying in his Excellencys Linety; and Compassion; for my relief; Remains with my best respects Your Honrs, most Humble but Misfortunate Servt. John Mason Provost Guard Decemr. 21st, 1780 P=S Sr, let me Humbly recommend it to your Honr, as my Just sentiments; from my own private pen; that I have found out more Rabel schames, since my Confinement (by Rabel Officers and by private Pollicy; than was ever in my Power to know before and says that this Winter, New York is to be Destroy’d by Fire, by some of of [sic] their Perticular friends in Town; and adds Moreover, that ⅔ds of the Inhabitance is their Just friends; and that the British wou’d soon know; if the Town was attack’d; Sr, let me Humbly offer it; that the City watch, be more alert; and Strickly examin all Stragling persons; after the Hours of Ten &c &c Sr, it was ever Beneath my principles, to hurt any Friend to Government; but would succor them to the last; and although, my Misfortunes may appear in Obscurity to your Honr, yet I call the Heavens; and Earth; to witness; that there was five false Oaths swore against me, at my Tryal; Notwithstanding Sr, I cast no Reflections, on the Gentlemen of the Court martial; as they Could not in Justice to themselves, but bring me in Guilty." Source: University of Michigan, William L. Clements Library, Sir Henry Clinton Papers, Volume 134, item 27.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 12:36:36 +0000
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