George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0024

To George Washington from Henry Ward, 1 July 1775

From Henry Ward

Providence, 1 July 1775

Transmits by order of the Rhode Island general assembly “the inclosed Vote, putting the Rhode Island Army under your Command.”

ALS, DLC:GW.

Henry Ward (1732–1797) served as provincial secretary of Rhode Island from 1761 to 1797. This letter apparently was sent under cover of one from Ward to Brig. Gen. Nathanael Greene, commander of the Rhode Island forces. Greene received his letter on 4 July and probably forwarded GW’s letter to him that same day. The transfer of the Rhode Island command to GW, Greene wrote to Deputy Gov. Nicholas Cooke on 4 July, “is perfectly agreeable and I shall conduct myself accordingly” (Richard K. Showman et al., eds., The Papers of General Nathanael Greene [Chapel Hill, 1976—], 1:94–96). The copy of the Rhode Island general assembly’s resolution of 28 June that was enclosed in Ward’s letter to GW is in DLC:GW.

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