From Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, 13 April 1776
To John Hancock
ALS: National Archives
Saratoga, April 13. 1776.
Sir
We have been here some Days waiting for General Schuyler’s Orders to proceed, which we have just received, and shall accordingly leave this Place to morrow.3 Tho’ by the Advices from Canada communicated by him to us, and as we suppose sent forward to you, I am afraid we shall be able to effect but little there. We had a heavy Snow here yesterday and the Waters are so out, as to make Travelling difficult by Land, and there is a strong Fresh in the River against the Boats, but we shall endeavour to get on as well as we can. We join in Respects to the Congress, and to yourself in particular. I have the Honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin
To the honble John Hancock Esqr
Endorsed: Col Lee Mr J. Adams Mr J. Jay Mr W Braxton Mr. Johnson4
Letter from Doct B Franklin Saratoga April 13. 1776 22 April Copied
3. His “Orders” to proceed to Fort George were the information in the preceding document. The commissioners had left Fort Constitution in the evening of the 5th, reached Albany on the 7th, and gone on the 9th to Schuyler’s country seat at Saratoga; in fact they did not start north again until the 16th. Carroll, Journal, pp. 39–46.
4. Congress referred this letter, along with others, to an ad hoc committee of Lee, Adams, Jay, Carter Braxton, and Thomas Johnson. JCC, IV, 298.