George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 3 November 1780

To Colonel Christopher Greene

Head Quarters near passaic Falls 3d Novemr 1780

Sir

I have recd your favr of the 27th ulto.1 As I have been informed that the State agreed to allow the Levies higher pay than the Continental Troops, I imagine they will take measures to satisfy them at the end of their service, charging the Continent with the usual monthly allowance. The pay of the Army is in arrears since march last—The treasury is making every exertion to procure Money from the States, which I believe they find difficult. This being the true situation of matters, I can only recommend patience awhile longer2—If Mr Reynolds, the State Agent Cloathier, has a full supply upon hand for the troops he may deliver out the yearly allowance to your Regt. if he has not, he must give you your proportion and send on the remainder without loss of time to Colo. Angells.3 I can give no order respecting the Cloathing of Officers—Congress having recommended it to the respective States to provide for the supply of those belonging to them.4

The Adjutant General has already transmitted you the Regulations for reforming the Army. You will see by them, the mode which is pointed out for determining upon the Officers who are to leave the service, and I doubt not but you will immediately communicate with the Officers of Colo. Angells Regt upon the subject.5 When the Corps which is to form the new Regiment is fixed upon, I shall probably draw the whole to this Army. Should it fall to your lot to remain in service, I cannot suppose that you would wish to go to the southward without your Regiment—and I see little chance of its going to that quarter.6

I am very much pleased to hear of your good agreement with the French Army—The General and other Officers have, in their turn, expressed their approbation of your conduct on every occasion. I am &.

P.S. Genl Heath informed me that there were a quantitiy of Military Stores at Rhode Island not very safely stored. You will be pleased to see them removed to places where they will be kept free from damage by weather or accident.7

Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1Greene had written GW on 27 Oct. with questions answered in this reply.

2During its session that began on 30 Oct., the Rhode Island legislature passed measures that allowed “officers in the line of the militia of this state, who were on duty in the late general alarm … the same pay and rations which are allowed by Congress to the officers of equal rank in the line of the Continental army.” Additionally, “the non-commissioned officers and privates” were given “three shillings per day for each and every day’s service; and one shilling and sixpence for each ration due to them.” Furthermore, “officers and privates in the companies of light horse” were granted “three shillings per day for their horses.” The money was to “be paid in Continental bills of the new emission, as soon as this state’s quota or any part thereof, shall come to hand” (Bartlett, R.I. Records description begins John Russell Bartlett, ed. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. 10 vols. Providence, 1856–65. description ends , 9:255–56). For the new congressional monetary policy, see Philip Schuyler to GW, 12 March, and notes 3 and 4 to that document.

3The Rhode Island legislature subsequently addressed the clothing needs of the state’s Continental troops (see William Greene to GW, 8 Dec., and n.3). For assistance directed specifically to soldiers in Col. Israel Angell’s regiment, see Bartlett, R.I. Records description begins John Russell Bartlett, ed. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. 10 vols. Providence, 1856–65. description ends , 9:287.

4GW presumably refers to a resolution that Congress passed on 10 Sept. 1779 that made state governments responsible for clothing “the troops of their respective quotas” (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 15:1044–45). During its session that began on 27 Nov. 1780, the Rhode Island legislature authorized Colonel Greene “to draw seventy thousand Continental dollars, of the old emissions, out of the general treasury, to purchase clothing for the officers of his regiment; and that the said sum be charged to the said officers, and deducted out of their depreciation money” (Bartlett, R.I. Records description begins John Russell Bartlett, ed. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. 10 vols. Providence, 1856–65. description ends , 9:286).

5GW published the new regulations for the Continental army in the general orders for 1 November.

6For the arrangements that sent Colonel Greene’s regiment to West Point, see GW to Rochambeau, 27 Nov., and n.9. Greene remained with his troops.

7At its session that began in late November, the Rhode Island legislature named three men to a committee “to procure a sufficient guard” for the public stores at Providence (Bartlett, R.I. Records description begins John Russell Bartlett, ed. Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. 10 vols. Providence, 1856–65. description ends , 9:290; see also William Heath to GW, 24 Oct., and n.7).

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