To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 9 July 1780
From Major General Nathanael Greene
Camp Precaness July 9th 1780.
Sir.
Inclosed I send your Excellency a letter from Colo. Hay covering some conditions proposed by the Ship-carpenters at Fish Kill on which to engage in the Continental service.1 I have had the letter by me some days and have defered giving an answer untill things were in such a train as to enable me to judge whether we should stand in need of their services or not. But this being settled in your Excellency’s verbal instructions yesterday, to make all the preparations in my power with a view to an important expedition;2 I beg your directions respecting these Carpenters.
It is high time an answer was transmitted, as it is more than probable they will all seek other employ. I am with great respect Your Excellencys Most Obedt Humble Servant.
Nath. Greene Q.M.G.
P.S. Be pleased to return the papers with your Excellency’s instructions on the subject.
LS, DLC:GW.
GW replied to Greene on this date from headquarters: “In answer to yours of this day covering the Letter from Colo. Hay, and the Conditions on which the Artificers at Fish Kill propose to engage in the Continental Service; I have to request; that you will give Colonel Hay directions to ingage them without delay for the expedition at nine shillings and sixpence ⅌ day, or nine Shillings if they remain at any Posts above the Forts on the North River; to be paid in Gold or Silver, or other currency, agreeable to the real exchange; without having reference to the Article of wheat, the price of which may be very fluctuating and indeterminate—They will likewise be allowed the same Rations as other Artificers in the public service are entitled to” (Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
1. This enclosure has not been identified.
2. For the written version of the instructions to prepare for potential operations against New York City, see GW to Greene, 14 July (first letter).