Revolutionary War-dated ALS signed "Go: Washington," three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.5 x 9.25, November 17, 1778. Letter to Major General Greene. In full: "The information I gave you respecting the Forage department, was only meant to excite a close attention to the conduct of those who are employed on the execution of this branch of business; suspicion of unfair dealing, in some of them, having been imbibed.
No direct charge, or regular information, was lodged against the forage master in this department; for if there had, I should have proceeded in a different manner than barely suggesting suspicion-Genl. Scott of this State, to the best of my [my] recollection, was the Genl. who intimated that there was reason to apprehend, that from the Wheat which was run through the mills for forage a small quantity of the finest Flour was taken from every Bushel, without crediting the public for it. It is possible, upon application to him, a clue may be had to the discovery, if the suspicions are well founded.
One thing I can relate to you with certainty, and that is, that it is matter of surprize to everybody that a Mr. Bostich (I think he is called) who never could take such care of his own affairs as to escape a Goal, should be entrusted with the management of public business - such a choice, independent of every other consideration, is sufficient to create suspicions of *." On the left side of the final page, Washington adds vertically, "*Public injury from neglect or inability, if no other cause." Reverse of second page bears an address panel in Washington's hand to "Majr. General Greene, Q. M. General," and is also docketed in an unknown hand, "His Excellency, General Washington, Nov. 17th. 78." In very good condition, with intersecting folds and creases, a few lightly affecting signature, uniform toning and soiling to pages, with a few heavier spots, last words on each line of second page a shade or two light, but still completely legible, a few small separations along hinge, and mild show-through from writing on opposite sides of pages.
From September to late November 1778, General Washington and his army of 13,000 men were located near Fredericksburg, New York, participating in a strategy of 'observing and containing' the British in New York City. While there, Washington took pains to address various problems facing the Continental Army, including a transportation problem and more specifically, a problem with the supply of forage (plant material fed grazing animals). Without an adequate supply of forage, supply teams, regimental wagons, artillery units, and the cavalry could not be kept in motion. Yet a scarcity of forage continually plagued Washington's army. The general maintained that forage masters were not as accurate as they ought to be in receiving or delivering forage, and depended too much upon the farmers reports and their own conjectures.
In preparation for the war campaign in 1778, the US Congress appointed Major General Nathanael Green, the recipient of this letter, as Quartermaster General, granting him authority to appoint forage masters and making him responsible for their conduct. In this particular instance, Washington clearly has certain apprehensions, but clearly tells his general, "No direct charge, or regular information, was lodged against the forage master in this department; for if there had, I should have proceeded in a different manner than barely suggesting suspicion." Lengthy and ever-desirable correspondence from the the first president during the Revolutionary War. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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