Want to save this letter now that you've found it?
It's easy - just create your own collection of letters after signing up for a free account.
Sir,
A new disposition of the army going to be made, and an officer appointed to the command of West Point and the district on the east side of the North River, I take the liberty just to intimate my inclinations for the appointment. Your Excellency will judge of the propriety, and determine as the honor of the army and the good of the service may require.
I hope there is nothing indelicate or improper in the application. I am prompted to the measure from the feelings incident to the human heart, as well as encouraged in the hope that it would meet your approbation, from the flattering manner in which you have been pleased to speak of my conduct upon different occasions, I shall make use of no arguments, being persuaded my pretensions and inclinations will have their full operation, and that notliing short of the public good and military prosperity will contravene my wishes.
My first object is the freedom and happiness of my country. With these, your Excellency's reputation and glory are inseparably connected ; and as it has been my constant wish, so it shall be my future endeavour, to promote the establishment of both.
I am, &c.
- Nathanael Greene
- Source:
- Correspondence of the American Revolution; Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Volume III., Jared Sparks, 1853
