To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 November 1778
From Major General Nathanael Greene
Head quarters [Fredericksburg, N.Y.] Novem. 24 1778
Sir
There is great complaints from Fish Kill and other Posts among the Waggoners and Artificers on account of the Commisarys, being directed to issue a Gill of Rice in lieu of half a pound of flour and being cut off of their usual allowance of Rum—Col. Hay writes me the Waggoners are actually leaveing the service on account of the Rice and the Country People refuse to work without the allowance of a gill of Rum—There must be some alteration in these matters or it will work a great injury to the public service.
If your Excellency will give me authority, I will put the matter upon as oeconomical a plan as the nature of the service can admit. I am your Excellencys very humle Sert
N. Greene Q.M.G.
ALS, DLC:GW.
GW’s reply, dated 25 Nov. according to this letter’s docket, has not been found; but on 5 Dec., Greene wrote to Samuel Gray: “I have consulted his Excellency on these matters and he has referred the regulation to me” (, 3:101).