From George Washington to Colonel Richard Gridley, 9 January 1777
To Colonel Richard Gridley
Head Quarters Morris Town 9th Jany 1777
Sir
I recd yours of Decemr last with plans of the seven Fortifications in and about Boston.1 I dare say they are so constructed as to answer the Ends, for which they were intended, in the most effectual manner, but such is my present multiplicity of Business that I have not had time to cast my Eyes upon them.
I think it reasonable that Capt. Chadwick and your Son should be paid for their Service, and it is my desire that Genl Ward shall (upon the Sight of this) make them proper Compensation.2
It is impossible for the Qr Masr General to affix a price to the Boards, Nails and other Materials used in building the Forts. I suppose they were contracted for at some certain price, and whatever that was must be paid. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, owned (1990) by Mr. A. Lowell Elliott, Barnstable, Mass.; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Gridley wrote to GW on 9 Dec. 1776 to inform him that the construction of the Boston area fortifications had been completed and to request GW to authorize Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward to pay for the building of those works. Gridley enclosed plans of the forts for GW’s perusal and an account of the materials used in building the forts. Gridley’s letter is in MB, and the plans of the forts are in DLC:GW.
2. Capt. Joseph Chadwick (1732–1812) of Massachusetts was appointed a captain in Gridley’s artillery regiment in 1775.