Refutation of Financial Impropriety: Page #2

Transcription

No. 2

Extract of a letter from Major General Greene to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, dated,

"Head Quarters , South Carolina," "December 19th,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. Maj Banks and Company have furnished most of the articles we shall want, and will provide the rest. Mr. Hamilton, the clothier, had instructions to contract with such as would supply on the best friend, 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 meet 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 Financise, which they will negotiate for clothing or other things, as their necessities may urge.

"This will savell our drafts; but the peculiar situation of the officers, their long sufferings and distance from house, seem to render it absolutely necessary; some of the officers talk of studing

these