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Revolutionary War letter by Udney Hay an Officer

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American Revolution

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Congressional Content Revolutionary War-Date Letter

July 31, 1779, Revolutionary War letter by Udney Hay, American Officer, Fish Kill, NY, Choice Very Fine.
This Autograph Letter is Signed by "Udney Hay", and it is two pages long, including the integral address leaf, from Fish Kill, [New York]. It measures 11.5" x 7.5", and is addressed to John Fisher, referring to an act of Congress of July 9, 1779 regulating the Quartermaster's Department which led to much consternation among the officers, bringing many to the point of resignation. The letter reads in part:
"In a letter form General Greene QM Genl. red. yesterday, I am officially inform'd that his Excellency the Governor, was determin'd not to exercise the Power, he was vested with, but uncertain whether this was wrote to General Green[e] confidentially, or with liberty to make it public, to such part of the Department as thought themselves injured by the Resolve of the 9th Instant. I waited on his Excellency myself, and have the pleasure to acquaint you that he is not only determined not to exercise any part of the powers vested in him, by the above Resolve, but has given me liberty to inform you officially that such is determination..." He goes on to request that "...at least untill [sic] there is an attempt to put the Resolve of 9th Inst. into execution or Congress may again be pleased to make a new Resolve which our inclination to preserve the Characters unsullied may prevent us from submitting to..." It appears that the Congressional resolve was designed to allow state governors to investigate the affairs of quartermasters in their respective states that diluted the power of the quartermaster general. Greene would eventually leave the post of Quartermaster to accept a much desired field command. He would distinguish himself in the southern campaign of 1781. Light soiling, small hole from seal tear not affecting text, address leaf trimmed, else fine.

Udney Hay, American officer in the Revolutionary War

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