From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 31 October 1779
To Major General Nathanael Greene
Head Quarters [West Point] 31st October 1779.
Dear Sir
I shall be glad to know whether you have made enquiry if a sufficient number of Vessels can be procured, and held in readiness, to transport troops up the River, should the Indian incursion to the Northward prove serious.1
Be pleased to forward the inclosed to Colo. Gouvion by Express immediately.2 I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, PPAmP: Nathanael Greene Papers.
1. Reported threats to settlements along the New York frontier came in George Clinton to GW, 28 and 29 Oct. (see also GW to Clinton, 29 Oct., and to Samuel Huntington, 30 Oct.).
Greene wrote Col. Morgan Lewis from West Point on 3 Nov. to take other measures apparently meant to aid the New York frontier. That letter reads: “His Excellency General Washington has directed me to have a party of men employed in geting a quantity of Tar this fall to be depositeed at Albany. There will be wanting upwards of 200 Barrels. You will take the necessary measures to have this quantity provided as soon as possible. His Excellency directs also as large a Magazine of grain forage to be formd at Albany and in its vicinity as can be procurd, yielding such releif to the necessities of this Post as the circumstances may require. The remainder to be held in readiness for such purposes as he may direct hereafter. You will carry this order in execution also as far as in your power” (DNA:PCC, item 173).
2. The enclosure has not been identified, but it probably involved Lieutenant Colonel Gouvion’s recent assignment to construct fortifications at Stony Point and Verplanck Point to secure King’s Ferry, N.Y. (see GW to Gouvion and to William Heath [second letter], both 24 Oct.).