He had ordered them from
the Yard into the House. Some of them being ill with the Dysentery
could scarcely walk, and for not coming faster he would beat them with
his Rattan. One being delayed longer than the rest. On his coming up
Cunningham gave him a blow with one of the large Keys of the Goal
which killed him on the Spot. The Officer, exceedingly affected with
the sight, went next day and lodged a formal Complaint of the Murder
with General Howe's Aid. After waiting some days, and not discovering
any measures taken for the tryal of Cunningham, he again went to head
quarters and requested to see the General, but was refused. He
repeated his Complaint to his Aid, and told him if this passed
unpunished it would become disreputable to wear a British uniform. No
notice being taken the Officer determined to furnish me privately with
the means of proof of the Facts, so that General Washington might
remonstrate to General Howe on the subject:--I reported them with the
other testimony I had collected to General Washington. He accordingly
wrote in pretty strong Terms to General Howe and fixed a day, when if
he did not receive a satisfactory answer, he would retaliate on the
prisoners in his Custody. On the day he received an answer from
General Howe, acknowledging that, on Examination he found that
Cunningham had sold the Prisoners' rations publicly in the
Market.
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