TRANSCRIPT GLC 4758
Marriot Arbuthnot. Letter signed: Royal Oak, New York, to George Washington, 1781 April 21. 2 p.

Royal Oak, Off New York,
21st: April 1781.

Sir,

If I had not been very busy when I Received your Letter dated the 25th. of January last, complaining of the treatment of the Naval Prisoners at this place, I certainly should have Answered it before this time; And Notwithstanding I then thought, as I now do, that my own Testimony would have been sufficient to have put the truth past a doubt, I ordered the strictest Scrutiny to be made into the Conduct of all parties concerned in the Victualling and treatment of those unfortunate people. – Their several testimonies you must have seen, And I give you my honor, the transaction was conducted with such strict care and impartiality that you may rely on it’s Validity. –

[2] Permit me now Sir, to request that you will take the proper Steps, to cause Mr. Bradford your Commissary, and the Jailor of Philadelphia, to abate of that inhuman<ity> which they have, and do exercise indiscrimina<te>ly upon all people, who are so unfortuna<te> as to be carried into that place. –

I will not trouble you Sir, with a Catalogue of grievances further than to request that the unfortunate may feel as little of the Severities of War, as the Circumstances of the time will permit, that in future they may not be fed in the Winter with salted Clams, and that they may be afforded a Sufficiency of Food. –

I am
Sir,
Your most obedient
& humble Servant
Mt. Arbuthnot

[*]General Washington
& c. & c. & c.

Notes: * This appears at bottom left of page 1 but placed at bottom of transcription for convention.