Miller, Phineas (d. 1806) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04661 Author/Creator: Miller, Phineas (d. 1806) Place Written: Middletown Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 July 1790 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy
Reminds Knox of the disappointment he expressed in previous letters regarding bonds belonging to the late General Nathanael Greene. Has studied the issue since his last letter and has not uncovered anything of use to the case. States that the failure to obtain the bonds might endanger the Greene estate. Also mentions that papers needed to help the Greene family's case have not yet arrived to Congress, which will prevent Congress being able to help. Has some faith in the work Mrs. [Catharine] Greene and Mr. Rutledge are doing to help pay what the estate owes. Noted as written in Middletown, state unknown.
The "Mr. Rutledge" to whom Miller refers could be one of any number of statesmen in that family. Miller was the tutor of the Greene children, and would go on to marry Catharine Greene in 1796. Miller was a friend of Eli Whitney and was responsible for bringing Whitney to the Greene estate in Georgia, where he invented the cotton gin. In 1790, Mrs. Greene was petitioning Congress to reimburse her for the funds General Greene had paid out-of-pocket to feed and clothe his soldiers during the war. She would win this suit in April 1792.
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