C. Extract of a letter from Major General Greene, to a Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, dated "Head Quarters, November 11^th 1782." "I am taking measures to obtain clothing for the troops. We have on hand but a small part of our winter clothing, and after what we shall be obliged to issue to those troops going with-wardly, we shall have but a small pittance left. I imagine, our purchases will amount to not less than forty thousand dollars, for which I shall draw bills on the Financier; and, as I provide the clothing, at your instance, and by your order, I hope, you will prepare the Financier for the draughts, that the bills may be punctually paid. I have already drawn in favor of Mess^rs Banks and Company, for eight thousand dollars, in bills of different values, to secure the clothing, and by this step, I am in hopes to save twenty per cent on the goods — I aim to advance twelve hundred guineas, which, I am in hopes to get from M^r Hall, the Continental Receiver — You will please to inform M^r Morris, that I have applied, and propose to appropriate this sum to the payment of the clothing. If, in any thing, I have exceeded your intentions, you will please to inform me: My estimates are barely sufficient for covering the troops, and, as I am informed, the northern army is complitily clad, and, as you mention a desire, that this should, I have laid out, accordingly, as far as the articles necessary for the purpose, could be had; many things cannot." N^o 2. Extract of a letter from Major General Greene to a Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, dated "Head Quarters, South Carolina," "December 19^th 1782." "You will see by some of my former letters, that, in consequence of your orders, I had taken measures, to provide such articles of clothing, as were necessary to complete the troops with their winter clothing. Mess^rs Banks and Company have furnished most of the articles we shall want, and will provide the rest. M^r Hamilton, the clothier, had instructions to contract with such as would supply on the best terms, notwithstanding this agreement; but none offer their goods equally reasonable, and yet I think they are high; however, the demand among the planters is so great, that they would met with a ready sale among them, and at an advanced price. Under these circumstances, contracts cannot be made on the best terms. The soldiers' clothing will amount to about fifty thousand dollars. I have advanced to the officers two months pay, by drawing bills on the Financier, which they will negociate for clothing or other things, as their necessities may urge. "This will swell our drafts; but the peculiar situation of the officers, their long sufferings and distance from home, seem to render it absolutely necessary; some of the officers talk of sending their bills to Philadelphia; but I imagine, most of them will be negociated here with the merchants. I wish not to distress the Financier; but I am distressed, myself, and know not which way to turn, to feed, cloth, and satisfy the army on the article of pay. I would much rather, that clothing could have been sent from Philadelphia; but it was too late to repent any for this reason; nor would I wish to negociate pay to the officers, in this way, but from absolute necessity. Troops will meet their sufferings with dignity and patience, when it appears unavoidable; but when their distress continues longer, they grow impatient and clamorous. I have drawn only for such officers as are continued in service, however urgent their necessity; many are discontent; but this I disregard, knowing the state of the Treasury." N^o 3 Extract of a letter from Major General [strikethrough: Greene] to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, dated, "Charleston, February 2^d 1783" "Lieutenant Colonel Carrington has closed a contract with M^r Banks for the subsistence of the army, at something than eleven pence sterling. It is high, but it could not be had lower. There was not an offer made but by M^r Banks, although I wrote to all the principal men in the country. People have not that spirit for engaging in business, here, as with us. "I shall get the troops pretty well clothed, and have little room for complaint on this head; but, I fear, the expence will run high; most of the goods being in the hands of British Merchants, who were permitted by government to remain here, and those not willing to take bills, have confined the purchase to very few houses. M^r Banks and M^r Simmons, I believe, are all who have supplied — I gave the officers bills for two months pay, but they could negociate but few, except with M^r Banks, who has offered us our greatest supplies; but, as every merchant will make an advantage of this opportunity, his goods have been higher, than if there had been many competitors for the business. I gave I gave M^r Hamilton, the clothier, a letter of general credit; but none would go largely into the business, except those mentioned, from a dislike to the bills." N^o 4. Copy of a letter from Major General Greene, to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, dated "Head Quarters, South Carolina," "February 5^th 1783." "Dear Sir, An idle surmise of M^r Banks, and an improper curiosity of General Scott in the State of Virginia, may give an unjust complexion to the late transaction respecting the measures taken to obtain clothing; as the Governor of Virginia writes, that it was considered a mere speculation for private emolument. For fear, such rumors should spread to my disadvantage, I take the liberty to inclose you a copy of a Certificate from M^r Banks; and my letter the 11^th of November will give you a full knowledge of this transaction. I do not conceive this necessary for your information; but, should any insinuations originate from the affair in Virginia, I wish to put it in your power to silence them at once, and I flatter myself, I may hope for this price of justice from your friendship — Reports are circulated here, that M^r Morris and M^r Banks are concerned together, otherwise he would not have taken my bills. These are done for malicious purposes; but, as I bid defiance to all the world, to tax me with improper connection; so I will not suffer even suspicions to circulate without control. I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, Nathaniel Greene. Major General Lincoln. N^o 5. [Copy] John Banks's Certificate. It having been suggested from an interpretation of my letter of October 1782, to M^r James Hunter, that the honorable Major General Greene was interested, or intimated a desire of holding a commercial connection with me in Charleston; I do, therefore, as well for the sake of removing such an idea, as to avert from myself any mischief, that a heedless surmise, expressed in a confidential letter to a partner, might inherit or deserve, hereby certify, and declare, upon the Holy Evangelists, that he never has or does hold any connection with me, either directly or indirectly, and that he never intimated, suggested, or expressed a wish or desire to this effect. (Signed) John Banks. Sworn to before me this 3^d January 1783. (Signed) Naz. Pendleton. I do certify, that the foregoing extracts of letters N° from Major General Greene, to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, from N° 1, to N° 5 inclusive, are true extracts and copies, taken from the files of the War Office of the United States. John Stagg, jun. Ch. Clk. War Department, December 23^d 1794. D. Dear Sir, Robert Morris, Esquire, Financier for the United States, has in his advertisements for receiving proposals for contracts for supplying the army with rations, directed them to be made to me, in the States of North and South Carolina and Georgia; but in his letter of the 17^th of October, 1782, he directs