Revolutionary War-dated ALS signed “Nath. Greene,” one page both sides, 8.25 x 13.5, July 7, 1779. Letter to Colonel Hayne, written from New Windsor. In part: "I have your favor of the 4th upon the subject of the Smiths being allowed half a pint a rum a day. I cannot think an alteration is worth attempting for the little advantages that will result from the extraordinary exertion of a particular party of Smiths. The regulation is now generally gone into; and all the artificers seem to be in a great degree content with their allowance. To give a standing order for the benefit of one particular company will derange the whole and bring on innumerable complaints. For every Artificer supposes his business the hardest, or at least they affect to say is; and are clamorous if any one party have a preference.
I spoke to the foreman of the Smiths and told him the difficulty of complying with his request. He seemed to be satisfied with the answer, and only said that more help would be necessary to get through the business. I told him I did not wish him to injure the health of the people. It could not last long to lay a heavy burden on them than they could bear. This would injure the public; therefore it was the best mode to accommodate the service to the abilities of the men. There is a much larger party of Smiths at Danbury than can be possibly be wanted there. Mr. Hubbard when he left here was to call upon you and see how many you wanted and to detach accordingly. If a special order to the commissary for an extraordinary allowance of rum is necessary, I will furnish, but I conceive you fully authorised to give such an order from the former letter I wrote you on this subject at Fredricksburg. But I cannot give a standing order without introducing more mischief than there can possibly result injury from the refusal." In good to very good condition, with three small areas of paper loss to the edges, splitting along a horizontal fold, areas of ink erosion affecting a few words of text, and splits and chips affecting potions of the signature. A superb letter demonstrating Greene's natural leadership and balanced judgment in declining a request for more rum from a group of blacksmiths, to avoid ruffling the feathers of other skilled workers.
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