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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.

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786 to Joseph Webb

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06403 Author/Creator: Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786 Place Written: Tappan, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 August 1780 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Height: 34 cm, Width: 21 cm Order a Copy

Discusses his resignation, French forces, and American troops. Says there have been "marches and counter marches, evolutions and revolutions of different kinds," since Webb left. Reports on British movements, which seem to be "without meaning or intention." Prepares for the arrival of French troops and Comte de Rochambeau, but is not optimistic. Says his own forces are weak. "Happy as a prince" now that he has resigned as Quarter Master General. Felt Congress, which he calls "a strange set of men," was making unreasonable demands of his office, and resigned without asking their permission, which had never been done before. Almost lost his command, but now has a new one. Hopes his successor will fare well. Discusses a dispute regarding rank among the Pennsylvania forces.

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
Webb, Joseph, 1734-1778

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