1. French war commissary Corny asked Greene for four transport wagons for each battalion, wagons and provisions for the general staff, fodder, firewood, and upwards of 1,100 horses for various army uses. He also sought livestock to help supply the French army with meat for three months. Corny’s instructions dated 5 March, apparently from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, listed all desired supplies (see La Luzerne to Lafayette, 31 May, in Lafayette Papers description begins Stanley J. Idzerda et al., eds. Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790. 5 vols. Ithaca, N.Y., 1977-83. description ends , 3:45–47; see also Lafayette to La Luzerne, 17 May, postscript, in Lafayette Papers description begins Stanley J. Idzerda et al., eds. Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790. 5 vols. Ithaca, N.Y., 1977-83. description ends , 3:23–24).

In a letter of 24 May to French minister La Luzerne, Lafayette reported a “long conversation” he’d had with GW, Greene, and Corny, during which the latter “asked several questions” and expected replies from GW and Greene on this date. Lafayette added: “If the quartermaster general of our army can take it upon himself to supply the caissons, wagons, and riding and artillery horses requested by M. le Comte de Rochambeau by June 15 at the North River, and if the supplies are collected in a safe and economical way, it seems that your intention will be fulfilled” (Lafayette Papers description begins Stanley J. Idzerda et al., eds. Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790. 5 vols. Ithaca, N.Y., 1977-83. description ends , 3:29–31; see also GW to James Craik, 24 May, and n.2 to that document).

Corny apparently had made similar requests of La Luzerne, who wrote Lafayette on 31 May that he had agreed to those that required immediate attention, but he wished GW to decide upon those with “only a long-range and uncertain utility. … I have abstained from explaining my reasons for leaving that decision to you and Mr. Washington, but you can easily understand that, having before him the plan of operations of the campaign, he can personally decide whether the category of wagons, carts, and horses is not susceptible to a large reduction. If therefore he can arrange that diminution without hindering the operations he is planning, it will allow us to make other expenditures that are more truly advantageous, and we shall not risk having those parts of the service that require our full attention fail for lack of funds” (Lafayette Papers description begins Stanley J. Idzerda et al., eds. Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790. 5 vols. Ithaca, N.Y., 1977-83. description ends , 3:45–47).

Greene again wrote GW on this date: “Upon revising the answers to the queries proposed by Mons. Corney, and consulting with Col. Cox, Pettit, and Biddle, I am of opinion, the rates as things are stated in the answers, are not higher if so, high, as things will come at; especially as the circumstances of the Country are unfavorable for the business of oeconemy, and the people will take all the advantages which opportunity throws in their way” (ALS, DLC:GW; the docket, filed with Greene’s first letter to GW of this date and written by GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison, reads: “Genl Greene 25 May 1780 respecting prices of Articles required by Monsr Corné”). Greene’s answers have not been identified, but Lafayette informed La Luzerne that Greene had agreed conditionally to purchase supplies for the French army (see Lafayette Papers description begins Stanley J. Idzerda et al., eds. Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790. 5 vols. Ithaca, N.Y., 1977-83. description ends , 3:31).

2. GW replied on this date from Morristown: “I have this minute received Your Letter respecting the Marquiss de la Fayette & Monsr Corny’s request that you will employ the Continental Agents & such others as you may think necessary to procure Waggons & Draft & Saddle Horses for the French Army & wishing to know whether it would be approved by me. The measure is certainly necessary & it will have my approbation” (Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).