To George Washington from William Greene, 5 November 1779
From William Greene
Warwick State Rhode Island &c. Novr 5th 1779
Sir
I most Sincerely Congratulate your Excellency Upon the Enemy’s having evacuated Rhode Island,1 but am sorry to be under the necessity of troubleing you with a resolution of the Council of War of this State, which I Take the liberty to enclose, by which you will Please to Observe the distresed Situation the Inhabitants of those Towns must labour under for want of their records.2 That I doubt not you will take every necessary measure that may tend to convince General Clinton of his Error in continuing to hold them, as they certainly cannot be of any use to the Enemy, exclusive of the Pleasure they enjoy in distresing Mankind who are not to be controuled by them.3 I am with every Sentiment of respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient & most Humble Servt
W. Greene
ALS, DLC:GW; ADfS (dated 3 Nov. 1779), R-Ar.
1. For the British evacuation of Rhode Island on 25 Oct., see GW to Duportail and Alexander Hamilton, 30 Oct., and notes 1 and 2 to that document.
2. The enclosed copy of a resolution adopted by Rhode Island officials assembled “In Council of War” on 2 Nov. reads: “Whereas the Records of the Towns of Newport and Middletown have been taken into Possession by the Enemy and carried from this State, and whereas their being detained can be of no Service to the Enemy but highly detrimental to the Publick: It is therefore Resolved that his Excellency the Governor be requested immediately to write to General Washington requesting him to use his utmost Influence with Genl Clinton to have them return’d as soon as may be” (DLC:GW). For the council of war members, see 8:616.
3. For GW’s response to this request, see his letters to Henry Clinton, 20 Nov., and to Greene, 23 Nov.; see also Greene to GW, 3 December.