11From John Adams to Nathanael Greene, 13 April 1777 (Adams Papers)
In considering a Letter from the General, sometime ago, in the Board of War, it was agreed to report to Congress a Resolution, approving of the Laboratory at Sprin g field, and such a Report was made, but upon some Opposition to it, it was ordered to lye on the Table, where it has lain ever since. I will, move to have it taken up and determined. Some Gentlemen will oppose it, par ticularly...
12Enclosure K: [Edward Carrington to Nathanael Greene], 18 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
I do myself the honor to hand you herewith, a Contract entered into by Mr. John Banks, for the subsistence of the troops in the service of the United States, in the States of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, for the present year. I am really concerned, that we have been obliged to close this contract, on the execessive high terms agreed to, but the circumstances, under which we had...
13Enclosure F: Robert Forsyth to Nathanael Greene, 29 December 1782 (Hamilton Papers)
Some days ago, I was honored with your answer to my letter of resignation; the very warm approbation, given of my conduct in public service, gives me most singular pleasure and satisfaction, and makes me hope for that countenance and aid in private life, which I enjoyed, while I had the pleasure to serve under your command. I must beg your attention to a brig of Mr. Banks’s, which he loaded at...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [16 May 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
When you ask my opinion as a friend, I must always act the part of a true friend, however frequently the advice I give may happen to clash with your feelings justly irritated by injuries which you have not merited. Considering the Board of treasury as so many individuals, the complexion of their letter to you would abundantly justify the asperity of your reply; but considering them as a public...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [23 February 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
Have you received any directions from The General concerning some espontoons to be brought from Fish Kill for the use of the Officers here? If you have not be pleased to receive them now and give directions accordingly. Yr. obedient humble serv ALS , Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia.
16From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [12 October 1782] (Hamilton Papers)
It is an age since I have either written to you or received a line from you; yet I persuade myself you have not been the less convinced of my affectionate attachment and warm participation in all those events which have given you that place in your countrys esteem and approbation which I have know⟨n⟩ you to deserve while your enemies and rivals were most active in sullying your reputation. You...
17From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [7 October 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
It is determined that General Du Portail and myself should go to Count D Estaing. We proceed to New Windsor this afternoon and set out from thence before light tomorrow. Four horses will be necessary to accomodate us, as I am dismounted & General Du Portail is loth to wear out his own horses in the journey. Will you be so good as to send me an order on the person at New Windsor who provides...
18From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [20 May 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Duryee has applied to The General to have a Barn of his released, taken up for the use of the hospital, representing that from its situation relatively to his dwelling house it will produce greater inconvience to him than the taking some other barn in the neighbourhood will produce to its proprietor. The General would wish to avoid every thing that would look like discrimenation without...
19From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [7 May 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sadly distressed for want of a good saddle &c; and such is my situation, that I have no opportunity of procuring for myself. The one I got by your order the other day was of a coarser kind that would only do for my servant. As you are in the way of procuring matters of this kind, you will oblige me much, if you will give orders for purchasing a good saddle bridle holsters &c. for me....
20From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [21 January 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
It is found necessary to send surgeons with the detachments on the lines, and they must have horses to convey their Chirurgical apparatus. Will it be most convenient to get them from you by special application or to obtain them from the Brigades? This question the General orders me to make. Yr. very humble serv ALS , Library of The American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia.
21From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [3 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
We have to request, you will order a couple of very good teams to be got ready to proceed to the enemy’s lines for General Lee’s baggage. He is to come out on parole, on Sunday morning. You will judge when they ought to set out from here—suppose tomorrow noon, so as to get in the neighbourhood of Vandeering’s Mill by tomorrow night. When they are ready to set out tomorrow let them make report...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [11 June 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency requests you will have an exact return made of the total strength of the Pensylvania batalions, in which you will designate the different terms of service, for which the men are engaged. He is aware there is ony one distinction, between those for during the war and those for three years or during the war . He wants to know the precise number of each. The Board of war have...
23From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [22 January 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The horse I borrowed of you the other day giving out while we were on Staten Island, my servant exchanged him there for another. The one he took in lieu of him I now return. I believe the public will lose nothing by the exchange. I omitted informing you that a couple of horses which I received here from Col Abeel on my way to the French fleet were on my return delivered at this place to Lt Col...
24From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [10 September 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
I really do not think it would be an adviseable measure to detach a brigade, for though I should not apprehend any material danger here, yet I think without some substantial object, it would hardly be prudent to lessen our force. There are possible events that might at least embarrass us. But my principal objection arises from my considering a compliance rather as a bad precedent; if you yield...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
There has just been unfolded at this place a scene of the blackest treason, Arnold has fled to the Enemy. André the British Adjt Genl is in our possession as a Spy. This capture unravelled the mystery. West Point was to have been the Sacrifice, all the dispositions have been made for the purpose and ’tis possible, tho’ not probable to night may still see the execution. The wind is fair, I came...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [1 October 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
By this time I presume My Dear General you have returned to your ancient residence. I had the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Greene at New York; and was induced by her to hope you would be prevailed upon to become a fellow citizen of ours. I know you have long had a partiality for our state; but I have been afraid, and have not yet banished my apprehensions, that your new Mistress would detach you...
27From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [23 February 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
The General has given me some memorandums for instructions to you on the subject of the Northern preparations. He is however undecided on one point—How far the preparation for vessels ought to be pushed. It was his wish when the resolution to discontinue the former plan was taken to stop the provision for the vessels as well as other matters; and he is only induced to depart from this idea in...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [17 August 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Lt. Whitehead undertakes to go tomorrow morning early with some important dispatches for The General to Philadelphia. You will be pleased to have him furnished with a good horse saddle & Bridle for this purpose. ALS , Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia. Lieutenant James Whitehead, Second Pennsylvania Regiment.
29From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [22 May 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
By a letter we have received from General Sullivan it appears that Poor’s Brigade have left their tents behind. The General requests you will have them supplied from your nearest deposit, and, in general, that you will make up every deficiency in this article for the expedition as speedily as possible. General Sullivan appears to be very anxious to have his supplies of every kind forwarded to...
30From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [27 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point, July 27, 1779. Document listed in dealer’s catalogue. Document not found. ] ADS , listed by Thomas F. Madigan, New York City, in Autograph Notes , I (January-February, 1919), 3, Item 203. Greene, a Rhode Island Quaker who served in the state militia in 1774 and 1775, was appointed a brigadier general in the Continental Army on June 22, 1775. After the British evacuated Boston in...
31From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [31 May 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
The General requests you will send some discreet person to Brunswick to ascertain the No of Boats in the River. A countryman that is judicious & trusty would give less suspicion than an officer. It should if possible be a person acquainted with the place. His inquiries will be the more easily accepted. The more hurry & dispatch the better. DS Yr obt Serv JCH Transcripts John C. Hamilton...
32From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [8 November 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency requests you will direct a couple sets of tools provided and sent to General McDougall to blow up rocks which greatly impede his carting &c. I am Sir Yr. Most Obedt ALS , Library of the American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia.
33From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [10 June 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
I inclose you a couple of letters from Mr. Carter one for yourself, the other for Mr. Kenlock. There is nothing for me to add, except that I wish you when the business shall be transacted to transmit the bond to me under cover to General Schuyler at Albany. I expect to leave this shortly for that place and to remain there ’till New York is evacuated; on which event I shall set down there...
34From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [25 July 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Points submitted to the consideration of the Council— Our force stated at 10.300 The enemys at 12.000 —At stoney Point— 1300 Verplanks— 700 2000— Main body at Philips &c— Questions—What general dispisition of our army should be made—Whether any and what Offensive movements can be undertaken against the enemy at the present juncture?— Whether the muster Masters department is necessary?...
35From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
I acknowlege myself to have been unpardonably delinquent in not having written to you before; but my matrimonial occupations have scarcely left me leisure or inclination for any other. I must now be brief as the post is just setting out. I shall shortly write you at large. I have not been much in the way of knowing sentiments out of the army; but as far as I am acquainted with them either in...
36From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Nathanael Greene, [4 January 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
The General requests you will let him know your opinion of the number of expresses necessary to be kept in constant pay, considering the late regulation of the post office. You know the necessity of œconomy and he is persuaded will rate the number as low as possible. You will have in view the occasional employment of trusty serjeants. He is writing to Congress. Dr Sir Your most Obedt & very...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 1 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Favor of the 27th. by Mr. Daniel. I informed you by Colo. Morris of the reinforcement of Militia ordered to you, but they will not be in Time to supply the place of those now with you, if they leave you so early. Certainly the knowledge that a Relief is coming in will induce them not to leave you in a State which may soon give us all to do over again. A Part of these...
38[From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 13 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 13 Feb. 1781. Minute in Va. Council Jour. , ii , 292: “Tuesday February 13th 1781 … Letters of this date from the Governor to General Greene, Colonel John Gibson, and Colonel Brodhead, on the Subject of the Western Expedition … being read, are approved, and ordered to be registered.” No such letter from TJ to Greene has been found and none of this date was acknowledged by Greene....
39From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 10 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I now do myself the pleasure of transmitting you information on the several heads of your requisitions . I am sorry that full compliance with them has appeared impracticable. Every moment however brings us new proofs that we must be aided by our Northern brethren. Perhaps they are aiding us, and we may be uninformed of it. I think near half the enemy’s force are now in Virginia and the states...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received advice that on the 22d. inst. the enemy’s fleet got all under way and were standing towards the Capes. As it still remained undecided whether they would leave the bay or turn up it I waited the next stage of information that you might so far be enabled to judge of their destination. This I hourly expected; but it did not come till this evening when I am informed they all got to sea...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 14th. and 31st. of December remain unanswered. I have been less attentive to the communication of our progress in preparing for the Southern war as Baron Steuben who knows all our movements, gives you no doubt full information from time to time. The present invasion of this State you have before been apprized of by the Baron. The very extraordinary and successful attempt of...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received your favor of the 15th. from Boyd’s ferry. I had heard yesterday of the approach of the Ld. Cornwallis, gave orders in consequence for embodying so many of the militia between this place and that as could be armed and of this gave you information in a letter of yesterday’s date. I hoped at the same time that the militia would not await my orders, and by the letters...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, Enclosing Warrant to Impress Horses, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you in haste yesterday by the return of your express in answer to your letter of the 15th. Majr McGill not being able to set out till this morning, furnishes me with an opportunity of inclosing you regular blank powers of impress to be directed to such persons as you shall think proper for impressing horses for your dragoons. When we ordered out the militia from the several counties,...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
In the moment of receiving your letter of the 10th. I issued orders to the Counties of Washington, Montgomery, Botetourt and Bedford for seven hundred and odd riflemen and to those of Henry and Pittsylvania for four hundred and odd of their Militia. Yet my trust is that neither these nor the adjacent counties have awaited orders, but that they have turned out and will have joined you in...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 1 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Obliged in my public character to be the pipe of communication to the sentiments of others, I must beg leave once to address you as a private man on a subject which has given me uneasiness. My letter by Colo. Morris inclosed some resolutions of assembly requiring that all horses impressed and valued to more than £5000 should be returned to their owners. This was in fact requiring them all to...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 24 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honour of inclosing to you some resolutions of General Assembly on the Subject of the Horses procured and to be procured for the 1st and 3d Regiments of Cavalry, in the Execution of which I shall need your Assistance. Representations were made of the Conduct of the Persons who were or pretended to be entrusted with the Execution of the Impress Warrants which I had inclosed to...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 12 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of June 1. did not come to hand till the 3d of September. I immediately made enquiries on the subject of the frigate you had authorised your relation to sell to this government, and I found that he had long before that sold her to government, and sold her very well as I understood. I noted the price on the back of your letter, which I have since unfortunately mislaid so that I...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowlege the Receipt of your favors of the 16th and 23d instant and to congratulate you on the Effects of the Action of the 15th in which though the field could not be retained yet you have crippled your adversary in such a manner as to oblige him ultimately to retire, which best shows which party was worsted. We have ordered Militia from the Counties stated in the Margin, to releive...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The very interesting situation of Southern affairs with respect to our state at this crisis, and the multiplicity of your business which alone must forbid me to hope a very frequent communication from you, have induced me to send on the bearer Majr. McGill to give us from time to time notice of the movements of the two armies and other important occurrences that we may be able to adapt to them...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 5 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It was formerly usual to require from the Continental Staff Officers in this State warrants from Congress for all monies advanced to them. Since the war has been transferred to the Southward, the calls for money have been so apparently indispensible that we could not await warrants from Congress as had been before practised, or Drafts from yourself or Major General Gates to whom authority to...
51From Thomas Jefferson to Nathanael Greene, 27 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A Mr. Tatum of this state will have the honor of delivering you this. Being very anxious to take some station in or about the Southern army I thought it not amiss to make him known to you. He is represented to me as possessing in the fullest degree that spirit which is of the essence of a souldier. He has skill in draughts, of which you may form your own judgment on the samples he will shew...
52Enclosure B: Extracts from the Secretary of War’s Letters to the Late Major General Greene, [10 July 1782–22 January … (Hamilton Papers)
“The sufferings of your troops have impressed me with the deepest concern, and the very painful sensations, which your relation of them excites, are powerfully enhanced, that these distresses should have been the lot of an army, not only entitled, by special contract, to better fare, but whose meritorious and gallant exertions under the most extreme difficulties, merited a very different fate;...
53From James Madison to Nathanael Greene, 13 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
Incomplete printed copy from Stan. V. Henkels Catalogue No. 988 (29 January 1909), item 699. The original manuscript was sold in 1940 to a private collector by Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., of New York City (Catalogue No. 223 [30 October–1 November 1940], item 559). I enclose you an extract of a letter from General Washington of the 2d instant, giving a more precise account of the embarkation...
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed extracts appear as sufficiently interesting, to induce us to forward them to you. The reiterated information we have lately received from different quarters leave little room to doubt, that the Southern States, will be the grand theatre of war this ensuing winter and spring. The Waggons with stores for the army under your...
55John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 4 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed extracts from Genl. Washingtons letter of the 13th & 27th. Ulto. and from Mr. Houston’s of the 30 Ulto. & newspapers will give you all the information from this quarter, worth communicating, except that the fleet from New York, is sailed; what it’s destination is, we are at present uninformed. ’tis said Portsmouth in...
56John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 4 June 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). The inclosed papers will furnish you with the most important foreign intelligence we have lately received. And of what has been done by Congress in consequence thereof. We thought it necessary to give you this communication, not knowing how far [it ma]y influence your future operations [so t]hat you might thereby be enabled to take your...
57John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 9 January 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (Historical Society of Pennsylvania). Address sheet missing. We are desired by Congress to transmit you the inclosed resolutions. Nothing new has transpired since we last wrote, informing you of the departure of the British fleet from New York, except that in less than forty eight hours after their sailing, there was a most violent storm, which we have the best reason to imagine they had to...
58John Mathews, for Committee of Congress, to Nathanael Greene, 30 April 1781 (Madison Papers)
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). JM had been appointed on 23 October 1780 as a member of the committee ( Papers of Madison William T. Hutchinson, William M. E. Rachal, et al ., eds., The Papers of James Madison (2 vols. to date; Chicago, 1962——). , II, 206 ). The inclosed paper will give you the substance of the latest intelligence Congress have received from Europe....
RC (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan). On 23 October 1780 Congress added JM and William Sharpe to the standing committee, created 8 July 1779 “to correspond with the commanding officer of the southern department,” and prescribed that the committee should thereafter “keep a journal of their proceedings and correspondence” ( Journals of the Continental Congress , IV, 807;...
60From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wish you to dispatch a messinger to Philadelphia with orders to bring up to Trenton fifteen or twenty boats, with as much expedition as the nature of the business will admit. At Trenton you will have them put in a state of the greatest readiness to be transported by land at the shortest notice. Head Quarters will move to day if possible. I am Sr &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ;...