George Mason to George Washington (June 12, 1756)

Dogues Neck June 12th. 1756

DEAR SIR

I take the liberty to address you on behalf of my neighbour & your old school-fellow, Mr. Piper: who, without duly considering the consequences, when he was at Winchester enlisted as a Searjeant in Captain Mercer's Company; he has been down to consult his father upon it, & finds him excessively averse to it, & as his principal dependance is upon the old man (besides the duty naturally due to a parent) his disobliging him in an affair of this nature cannot but be highly detrimental to him. I need not then say that it would be an act of humanity in Colonel Washington to discharge him! Mr. Piper tells me that he has never yet been attested, which seems so essential a part of the enlisting that I conceive he could not be legally detained against his will, but has still a right to depart upon returning whatever money he may have received. This I only hint, & submit it to your better judgement. Be that as it will, Mr. Piper would much rather chuse to receive his discharge from you as a favour than insist upon it as a matter of right. It would be superfluous to add that your good offices to Mr. Piper on this occasion will ever be esteemed the greatest obligation on Dr Sir Your most obedient servant.

G. MASON