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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.04498 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0094] January-March 1790 |
| Title | Carrington's affidavit related to General Nathanael Greene and John Banks |
| Date | 4 February 1790 |
| Author | Carrington, Edward (1749-1810) |
| Additional authors | Foushee, William (fl. 1782-1790) |
| Document Type | Legal document |
| Content Description | Provides an affidavit explaining why Nathanael Greene agreed to provide security for the debts of John Banks. Relates that in 1783, Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance, asked Greene to arrange for the supply of provisions to the Southern Army when their existing contract expired. The only private contractor who would agree to negotiate with Greene was John Banks. Greene had no choice but to accept Banks' offer, even though he thought Banks' terms were too high, and the contract between Banks and the Southern Army commenced 20 February 1783. Greene later provided security for Banks' debts, and Carrington writes, "I am satisfied, nay absolutely certain, that had Mr. Banks failed in this contract at the time General Greene became his security in the several instances in consequence whereof the Estate of that officer hath since suffered, nothing less than the dissolution of the Army must have followed, as no possible means of supporting it could have been adopted; no other contract could have been obtained..." Adds that in some cases, soldiers in the Southern Army were openly defying officers, and a lack of provisions would have surely led to mutiny. Countersigned by William Foushee as a magistrate for the county. Originally included with GLC02437.04497. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War General Finance Estate Law Debt Government and Civics Revolutionary War Military History Military Provisions Contract Mutiny Continental Army Rebellion Congress |
| People | Carrington, Edward (1749-1810) Foushee, William (fl. 1782-1790) Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786) Morris, Robert (1734-1806) Banks, John (ca. 1757-1784) |
| Place written | Richmond, Virginia |
| Theme | Law; Merchants & Commerce; The American Revolution; Government & Politics |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Letter from Edward Rutledge to Henry Knox regarding the Greene estate Letter from Edward Carrington to Henry Knox concerning Nathanael Greene and John Banks Letter from Henry Knox to Edward Carrington regarding Nathanael Greene's debts Letter from Henry Knox to Edward Rutledge requesting more supporting evidence in favor of Nathanael Greene |