Catharine Littlefield Greene to George Washington, 29 March 1781
From Catharine Littlefield Greene
Coventry [R.I.] March 29th [1781]
Dear Genl
It would be in vain for me to attempt the description of My Mortification and disappointment at not seeing your Excellency while you1 honourd this state by a visit, the same honour I vainly expected (and I need not add impatiently) untill your very obligeing letter Came to hand, which however was not untill the next day after you left Providence, at which Place I intended at all events to have seen your excellency,2 had not Major Blodgets letter diverted me from it, by the most flattering prospects of your visiting Coventry3—which some unlucky (for me) or rather spiteful star prevented. however one consolation was left me, that of having a large Company of ladies waiting two days at my house with the Greatest Anxiety to see Your Excellency And nothing but their own disappointment prevented their laughing hartily at me for Mine.4
be pleased dear Sir to accept my Most Greateful thanks for your letter, And all your Goodness to me.
Miss Vernon wrote me Your Exellency told her, you thought it not prudend for Me to go to the Southward yet this advice which lays me under new obligations I shall follow with pleasure—and will not undertake my Jorney untill Yor Excellncy pleases to give me permition.5
permit Me to add my Most respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington, and be assured that none of your Excellencys Goodness is lost upon your Most obliged Obedient And very Humble Servent
Caty Greene
ALS, DLC:GW. Greene addressed the cover to GW at New Windsor.
1. Greene wrote “I” before this word.
2. See GW to Greene, 22 March, and n.1 to that document.
3. The letter to Greene from William Blodget, a former aide-de-camp to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, has not been identified.
4. Military concerns had led GW to abandon his plans to visit Greene at her home (see GW to Nathanael Greene, 21 March).
5. The letter to Greene from her longtime friend Nancy Vernon has not been identified. Greene eventually journeyed south (see GW to Catharine Littlefield Greene, 22 March, n.5).
Nancy Vernon, a daughter of eminent Newport merchant Samuel Vernon, married David Oliphant (Olyphant) in 1785. He had served as director of hospitals in the southern department.