John Lamb to Henry Knox accusing Colonel John Crane of defrauding soldiers - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.01132
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0032] August 1781
Title	John Lamb to Henry Knox accusing Colonel John Crane of defrauding soldiers
Date	14 August 1781
Author	Lamb, John (1735-1800)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Military document
Content Description	Written by Colonel Lamb to Brigadier General Knox. Accuses Colonel John Crane of defrauding soldiers under his command of their pay. Says many of the Crane's officers have accused him of these crimes. Says Lieutenant Colonel Stevens has publicly accused him and informed Crane of the names of other officers. Refuses to do duty with Crane until he exonerates himself from the charge. Says Crane needs to "appear before the world" and deny the charges.
Subjects	Forgery and Fraud Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army Corruption and Scandal Finance Soldier's Pay Military Law
People	Lamb, John (1735-1800) Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Theme	The American Revolution; Law
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF [draft] Park of Artillery, 14.th Aug.st 1781 Dear General, As cheating the Soldier of his wages, (which is oftentimes earned, at the price of his blood) is not only highly criminal but has a tendency to excite a spirit of Mutiny and Desertion, and may be attended with the most fatal, and extensive mischief. And as many of Colonel Cranes's Officers, have repeatedly charged him, in the most public manner, with defrauding some of the men of his Regiment. And L.t Colonel Stevens has informed him of the same and has given him the names, of some of the Officers who have made so free with his Character, I am constrained to refuse doing duty with him 'till he exonerates himself from so foul a charge. - If he is innocent it is necessary (for the honor of himself, and the Corps) that he should appear so [inserted: to] the World. And the Officers who have unjustly charged him, with such criminality, called to a severe account, for aspersing his Character. I am, With every Sentiment of Respect Dear General Your Obd.t Humble Servant John Lamb Brig.r General Knox.

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