Nathanael Greene free franked Valley Forge folded letter
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: April 2, 1778
Writer: Nathanael Greene, American, 1742 - 1786
Place of Destination: Connecticut
Place of Origin: Pennsylvania
Medium: paper; ink; wax seal (red)
Dimensions: Height x Width (folded): 3 5/8 × 5 3/4 in. (9.21 × 14.61 cm) Height x Width (unfolded): 8 1/4 × 12 3/4 in. (20.96 × 32.39 cm) Height x Width (completely unfolded): 12 1/2 × 16 in. (31.75 × 40.64 cm)
Topics: Covers & Letters
National Stamp Collection
Early Nation's Period (1776-1800)
Description: Nearing the end of the long winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Quartermaster General Nathanael Greene wrote on April 2, 1778 to Joseph Webb, a Connecticut shopkeeper, requesting luggage and fabrics needed to move Washington's army to a new location.
['On publick Service\nTo\nJoseph Webb Esq.\nWethersfield\nN Greene\nConnecticut'
 None
 "I 2348 69 w8nd\nOn publick Service\nTo\nJoseph Webb Esq.\nWeatherfield\nN Greene\nConnecticut\n#Lee's 5000\nCopy of letter to Genl. Washington General Greene: letter to Genl. Washington"
 'Camp. Valley Forge, 2 d of April 1778\nSir\nIn order to lessen the Quantity of Baggage in the Army & enable it to move with the greater Ease, it is proposed to lay aside, as much as possible, the Use of Chests and Trunks: A large Number of Portmanteaus and Valisees is therefore become necessary for the Officers; and as I am informed some of these may be collected in Connecticut, I request the Favour of you to procure as many good leather Portmanteaus, of about the middling Size, as can be got ready to send forward by or before the middle of May - the Number I shall expect from you will be about 200. at least; and 20, or 30 Valisees for Matrases &c to be made of pretty strong Canvas. If you can meet with any Canvas, Ticklenburgs and Osnaburgs suitable for Tents, Knapsacks &c, I should be glad you would purchase it for me. As fast as you can collect any of these Articles in any considerable Quantity, be pleased to forward them to the Care of Mr. Hugh Hughes, D. Qu r Master at Trishkill who will send them on to Camp.\nI expect in very short Time to remit you Money sufficient to pay for the Articles you may purchase, so that I think you may rely on being enabled to make punctual Payments, which I doubt not will not only facilitate the Business but enable you to do it on better Terms than it could otherwise be done. In the mean Time I beg you will inform me what Quantity of these Articles are likely to be procured in Connecticut within the Time I have mentioned, and that you will give me the speediest Information when any Goods shall be sent forward.\nI rely on your Zeal in the Publick Service to take upon you this Trouble, and to employ such Persons in the Business, as you shall think most likely to effect it to the best Advantages & with the greatest Dispatch, allowing them such Compensation as you shall think reasonable; and for your own Troubles, besides your Expences of which be pleased to make a Charge, you will be allowed a Commission adequate to the Business.\nI take it for granted you have been informed of my Appointment to the Office of Quarter-Master General of the Army of the'
 'Camp. Valley Forge, 2 d of April 1778\nSir\nIn order to lessen the Quantity of Baggage in the Army & enable it to move with the greater ease, it is proposed to lay aside as much as possible the Use of Chests and Trunks: A large Number of Portmanteaus and Valisees is therefore become necessary for the Officers; and as I am informed some of these may be collected in Connecticut, I request the Favour of you to procure as many good leather Portmanteaus, of about the middling Size, as can be got ready to send forward by or before the middle of May - the Number I shall expect from you will be about 200. at least, and 20, or 30 Valisees for Matrases &c to be made of pretty strong Canvas. If you can meet with any Canvas, Ticklenburgs and Osnaburgs suitable for Tents, Knapsacks &c, I should be glad you would purchase it for me. As fast as you can collect any of these Articles in any considerable Quantity, be pleased to forward them to the Care of Mr. Hugh Hughes, D. Qu: Master at Freshkill who will send them on to Camp.\nI expect in very short Time to remit you Money sufficient to pay for the Articles you may purchase, so that I think you may rely on being enabled to make punctual Payments, which I doubt not will not only facilitate the Business but enable you to do it on better Terms than it could otherwise be done. In the mean Time I beg you will inform me what Quantity of these Articles are likely to be procured in Connecticut within the Time I have mentioned, and that you will give me the speediest Information when any Goods shall be sent forward.\nI rely on your Zeal in the Publick Service to take upon you this Trouble, and to employ such Persons in the Business, as you shall think most likely to effect it to the best Advantages & with the greatest Dispatch, allowing them such Compensation as you shall think reasonable; and for your own Trouble, besides your Expenses of which be pleased to make a Charge, you will be allowed a Commission adequate to the Business.\nI take it for granted you have been informed of my Appointment to the Office of Quarter Master General of the Army of the\nOn publick Service\nTo\nJoseph Webb Esq:\nWeathersfield\nConnecticut\nN Greene\nGiven at New Haven Sept 11 th 1778\nMs. A. 9. 2. 24. 8'
 'the United States, and it is in that character I now apply to you\nI am, with Regard, Sir,\nYour most obedient humble servant\nNath Greene 2 d M c General\nTo Joseph Webb Esq. Weathersfield.']