From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 January 1780
To Major General Nathanael Greene
Head Quarters Morris Town January 2d 1780
Dr Sir
I have recieved Your letter of Yesterday1 with an Extract from the Act of Congress of the 27th Ulto, with a copy of which I have been since honored in a letter from His Excellency the President.2 As the dismission of the Express Riders, it would seem, was intended to be the consequence of the proposed regulation in the Post Office, altho the words of the Act import an immediate operation, I should suppose it cannot take place with respect to the whole of them, before this Arrangement is made. Indeed at this very critical and delicate conjuncture in our affairs the dismission of the whole might involve the most interesting consequences and I do not see that the measure will be altogether practicable at any time in the extent proposed. However, as many of the Expresses as circumstances will possibly admit should be immediately discharged. I shall take an early occasion to write to Congress on the subject.3 I am Dr Sir, with great regard Your most Obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in George Augustine Washington’s writing, PPAmP: Nathanael Greene Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The LS is docketed: “From Genl Washington 3rd Jany 1780.”
1. This letter has not been found.
2. See Samuel Huntington to GW, 29 Dec. 1779; see also 15:1411–12.
3. See GW to Huntington, 5 January.