Morgan, Daniel (1736-1802) to Nathanael Greene re: lack of pay and hardship due to army service
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07137 Author/Creator: Morgan, Daniel (1736-1802) Place Written: Saratoga [Winchester, Virginia] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1782/07/28 Pagination: 3 p. + addr + docket 33.6 x 21 cm Order a Copy
A letter to his former commander concerning his situation and back pay owed to him and to the Continental soldiers who served under him. He thanks Greene for the recommendation of a Captain Osborn. He complains about the compensation from the state of Virginia: "Our assembly gave the officers certificatyes [sic] for two years pay, which was to be paid out of the money arising from the sales of the confiscated property [of Loyalists]...[.]" Morgan writes that the Assembly had made an act to raise 3,000 men with a bounty and clothing, which he remarks "would have been sufficient to have raised the men, could they have any hopes of being cloathed and paid, but being so strongly deceived, that they have no faith in publick promises, and the officers spirits are so much broken that they dont make any progress toward it." Morgan writes that he will soon "totally exhaust my fund[s]... I find myself going very thirsty, my cloath[es] are nearly wore out, and my laurels fade." On hearing that Greene is to receive clothing he ends"could I not be considered as part of that army; and be equipt with a suit of cloath, it would be needless [to] mention particulars for I [need] everything from top to toe."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.