Note (134) — AFTERMATH
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Gen. Parsons wants Brush and Conklin released.
Camp Highland, 17 Feb. 1781.
Dear General. Last night six prisoners were brought to the Provost Guard in Fishkill, who belonged to the State of Connecticut. Three of them viz. Jos Easton Trowbridge, Henry Gibbs and Benjamin Prescott were sentenced last October to be confined in Symsbury Mines Eighteen Months. The two former escaped on their way and joined the enemy. Prescott, a brother in law to Roger Sherman Esq. made interest through his brother for a pardon, which he obtained and immediately fled to New York. One Willson, one of the number, has been guilty of putting of very large sums of Counterfeit money which I am able to prove against him but he has had no trial.
Major Brush and Capt. Conklin have been long confined in the Provost in New York and there appears very little prospect of their consenting to exchange them unless some characters of repute with them are given for them—these gentlemen are persons who deserve the attention of every Friend to his Country, and I am enclined to believe Smith, who is a Captain of their Militia and Trowbridge who has a commission for one of their Whale boats would be acceptable to them: If they may be offered for these two men, who are confined in a most vigorous manner and have long suffered in confinement, your Excellency will relieve the Distress of two numerous families suffering greatly by the absence of these gentlemen. I am sir, Yr. most Obedt. Servt.
Sam H. Parsons.