From George Washington to James Warren, 23 July 1775
To James Warren
Cambridge Camp July 23rd 1775
Sir
I have had an Application made to me this day by the Several Captains of Colo. Phinneys Regiment from Casco Bay. They represent that their Men Enlisted & have marched down upon a Promise that they should receive 40/ Advance & Billeting Money at 8d. ⅌ Day—that under this Expectation they left their Familys destitute & have detaind the Teamsters to carry back their Money—They have met with some Disappointments arising from the Situation of the Assembly which has raised an unhappy Spirit in the Regiment & requires immediate Attention—You will therefore please to lay the Matter before the General Court with my Request that proper Steps may be taken to Satisfy them; as I have engaged that upon their passing Muster, they shall receive the usual & legal Allowance.1 I have the Honor to be Sir Your very Humble Servt
LB, in Thomas Mifflin’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Col. Edmund Phinney raised his regiment in Cumberland County, District of Maine, and marched it to Cambridge sometime in July after failing to obtain permission to leave all or part of his men at home to guard the coast against possible British raids. On 24 July the Massachusetts house of representatives resolved “that Major Stephen Cross, be appointed to Muster and Pay the advance Pay to the Non-Commission’d Officers and Soldiers of Col. Phinney’s Regiment” (). Phinney commanded the regiment until he retired from the army at the end of 1776. For subsequent efforts to complete the paying of advance money to all of the Massachusetts troops, see General Orders, 1 Aug. 1775, and Committee of the Massachusetts Council to GW, 11 Aug. 1775.