Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Greaton, John (1741-1783) [Vote and proceedings at Newburgh regarding the grievances of the Massachusetts Line]

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.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01714 Author/Creator: Greaton, John (1741-1783) Place Written: Newburgh, New York Type: Manuscript document Date: 16 November 1782 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 30.6 x 23.5 cm. Order a Copy

Marked "copy" and signed by the transcriber, Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp. Writes, "The grievances of the Massachusetts Line having involved them to desire a general conference, to consult and determine on the measures to be pursued for obtaining redress in a proper way - the several regiments composing that Line, together with such of the Hospital Department as belong to the State," chose three officers from each regiment (except for the 2nd Regiment; however, for their response, see GLC02437.01718), as well as three from the Light Infantry, one from the Hospital, and two from the Artillery. Lists the names of officers chosen. Includes the resolutions passed unanimously by the conference (of which Colonel John Greaton was considered President): that a committee be chosen to represent the grievances to the "Supreme Authority of the United States in Congress assembled;" that the committee consist of Major General Henry Knox, Brigadier General John Paterson, Colonel John Greaton, Colonel John Crane, Colonel John Brooks, Lieutenant Colonel [likely Hugh] Maxwell, and Doctor David Townsend; that the regiments will write for the committee "a list of the several grievances of which they complain" and "sentiments on the most probable measures to be adopted for ensuring a happy issue to the present undertaking"; that the Committee (or a majority of members) meet and be authorized to receive communications from other Lines in the army; and that Colonel [possibly Michael] Jackson and Captain Samuel Shaw notify committee members not present of their appointment and request their compliance, as well as invite them to meet at West Point on 20 November "for the dispatch of business."

[partial] [draft]
The grievances of the Massachusetts Line having involved them to desire a general conference, to consult and determine on the measures to be pursued for obtaining redress in a proper way - the several regiments composing that Line, together with such of the Hospital Department as belong to the State, have made choice of the following gentlemen for that purpose.

[List of regiments, including 1-10, Light Infantry, Hospital and Artillery, and their representatives]

At a meeting of the aforenamed gentlemen in the encampment of the Massachusetts Line, this 16th November 1782, Colonel Greaton, the Senior Officer, being considered as President, the following votes passed unanimously,

That a Committee be chosen from the Line at Large, to consider of and represent to the Supreme Authority of the United States in Congress assembled, the Several grievances under which the Line labours, in such a manner as shall appear to them best calculated for obtaining full and complete redress of the same.

That said Committee consist of the Gentlemen hereafter mentioned,

Major General Knox
Brigadier General Paterson
Colonel Greaton
Col Crane
Col Brooks
Lt Col Maxwell
Doctor Townsend

That the several regiments composing the Massachusetts Line, together with such of the Hospital Department as belong to the State, give in, on or before the nineteenth instant, in writing to said Committee, a list of the several grievances of which they complain, and at the same time convey to those Gentlemen their sentiments on the most probable measures to be adopted for ensuring a happy issue to the present undertaking.

That the Committee, or such of them, being a majority, as shall assemble for transacting the business of the Line, be authorized to receive and act upon any communications from such other Line or Lines of the Army, as may judge proper to make them.

That Colonel Jackson and Captain Shaw acquaint such of the Gentlemen of the above Committee as are not present at this meeting, of their appointment, and request their compliance with the wishes of the Line, by their acceptance of it - and that the Committee be hereby requested to assemble at West Point on the 20th instant, for the dispatch of business, and that an account of their proceedings be transmitted to the Line and the Hospital as soon as possible.

That the President sign the aforegoing minutes, and that the meeting be adjourned without day.

Greaton, John, 1741-1783
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
Paterson, John, 1744-1808
Brooks, John, 1752-1825
Crane, John, 1744-1805
Maxwell, Hugh, 1733-1799
Jackson, Michael, 1734-1801

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources