To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 February 1780
From Major General Nathanael Greene
Morris Town Feb: 26th 1780.
Sir.
I herewith inclose your Excellency a copy of a letter from Coll Biddle to me, relative to his going to meet the Legislature of this State at Trenton, and request your opinion upon the subject.1 I am with respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servt
Nath. Greene Q.M.G.
LS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed copy of Clement Biddle’s letter to Greene, dated this date at Morristown, reads: “I have perused his Excellency the commander in Chief’s letter to you on the subject of my representation & having recieved Mr Dunham’s report of the State of Forage it was communicated to his Excellency.
“Mr Dunham observes that ‘the old and just complaint of want of money now does and ever did prevent the necessary supplies of the Army.’ This we have experienced & the end proposed by the Law of this State was to provide the supplies by giving certificates on their Treasury in lieu of Money.
“Unfortunately this mode is defective in Mr Dunham’s opinion and the Army feel the sad effects of it.
“I wish to support every measure adopted by the Legislature and should be happy to point out to them such modes as I thought would best answer the end proposed and to solicit their aid therin, but from my situation being particularly delicate on this occasion, because their Measure opposes our present system of Office, I fear my attendance on them at this time would have no good effect and I should therefore wish to be excused, but if it is his Excellencys or your pleasure that I should attend them, I will immediately set off for Trenton and do all in my power to obtain their further aid” (DLC:GW).