151To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 30 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have read your Excellencys letter to Col. Biddle upon the subject of procureing forage; and cannot help thinking my letter must have been mistaken both with respect to the nature of the application and the powers solicited. The letter of instruction seems to breath and enjoin a strict conformity to the laws of the State save in particular cases and under pressing circumstances. In my letter...
152To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have receivd your Excellencys letter of the 28th and have carefully read and considerd the several subjects therein addressed to me. The whole matter seems to be resolvd into two points whether we shall act offensively or defensively. If the first the force and plan to opperate upon and if the latter the disposition to be made and the position to be taken. There could not be a moments...
153To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I have ever made it a rule, not to promise more, than I had the fairest prospect of performing. I would not wish to lead your Excellency into an expectation, of being in readiness to move, earlier than we shall; but from the letters I have receivd, since I came from Head quarters. I have great reason to think, the Infantry and the Artillery with them, may be ready to march next day after...
154To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 6 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
There must be some method fallen upon to examin the baggage and seperate the superfluous from the necessary. The Teams are failing and the Waggons breaking hourly. In this situation it will be impossible to replace them and therefore it is necessary to attempt a seasonable remedy. Each Regement has a greater number of Waggons than ever has been allowed to the Troops for the baggag and yet...
155To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As every Artificer is wanted to repair Waggons and other necessary service I should be glad they may not be employed in laying floors to Markees—especially as boards is scarse. There is another reason why I wish there may be a stop put to this business which is It is more than probable the floors will increase the baggage of the Army; For the officers will be loth to leave them behind after...
156To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
There is a man now at my Tent whose name is Spencer with whom I am well acquainted. He has just returned from Ch’s Town in South Carolina, and is on his way to Rhode Island from whence he sailed in a Brig of my Brother’s some time since for Ch’s Town, after a load of Rice on the public’s account and was taken by one of Goodriches fleet landed near that city. He says he was in the action that...
157To John Jay from Nathanael Greene, 24 June 1779 (Jay Papers)
A late law has been passed by the legislature of the state of New Jersey, for the express purpose of taxing the Assistant and Deputy Quarter Masters General, which I am afraid will be productive of the most disagreeable consequences— This law appears so arbitrary and unprecedented upon any free principles of taxation, that I am surprized it ever had the sanction of a deliberative body— Such a...
158To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I find in yesterdays orders I am directed to attend the Board of General Offic⟨ers⟩ for settleing the Rank of the Line of Artillery. your Excellency must be sensible th⟨at⟩ the duties of the quarter masters Department are a sufficent employment for the most active mind. I consider my being put up⟨on⟩ these Boards therefore a public injury; bu⟨t⟩ as I seem to be excluded in the present...
159To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose your Excellency a return of the Boats on and to the Westward of the Delaware. If your Excellency has any particular directions respecting them I shall be glad to receive them. I am with esteem Your Excellencys Most obedient humble Serv. ALS (facsimile), in H. DeForest Hardinge, “British Press Says Greene Rumored to Replace Washington as Commander,” Manuscripts 42 (Summer 1990): 225....
160To John Jay from Nathanael Greene, 14 July 1779, enclosing Thomas Chase to Nathanael Greene, 1 July 1779 (Jay Papers)
The enclosed is a letter from Col. Chace D.Q.M.G. at Boston. The representation it contains, and the consequences that will follow, point out the necessity of some mode being adopted for the security of the Barracks— For the present, I have directed Col. Chace to enter into contract with the proprietors of the soil on which the Barracks stand, to make them a reasonable compensation for the use...