To George Washington from Captain John Hunter, 23 April 1777
From Captain John Hunter
Philadelphia 23 April 1777
May it please your Excellency
Agreable to the Instructions I received from your Excellency on the 10th Inst.,1 I proceeded to this place, where I have been indefatigable, in my endeavours to raise my Company: The muster Roll I here with send you, will shew what success I have had, in recruiting2—The four hundred Dollers I received from your Excellency, I have distributed among my subalterns who are now in the Country. what success they have met with, I have not yet heard, but have the greatest Reason to beleive, I will be able to bring my Company into the field, as soon as any officer of the same date as my self. I have applied to the Board of war for a further supply of Money, but they refuse me with out an order from your Exellency. I therefore take the Liberty of informing you of my situation, and requesting such further supplies, as your Excellency may think Expedient.3 If your Excellency would be pleased to Honour me with my Company being Par[t]isans, I flatter my self, that I would gain some degree of Honour to my self, and be of some service in suporting the Ammerican cause which I have so sincerely at Heart. I am with due respect your Excellencys most obliged & very humble Servt
John Hunter
ALS, DLC:GW. GW’s aide-de-camp George Johnston docketed this letter in part: “Ansd 26th & Warrt for 400 Dollr sent him.” The reply, which was written for GW by Johnston, has not been found (see Hunter to GW, 14 May, n.1).
John Hunter was one of the several captains whom GW authorized to raise independent companies during the winter and spring of this year (see GW to Richard Peters, 17 April, n.2). Hunter’s company was incorporated in Col. William Malcom’s Additional Continental Regiment in late June (see GW to Malcom, 27 June 1777). Hunter resigned his commission in December 1777.
1. These instructions have not been found.
2. The enclosed muster roll of this date contains the names of Hunter’s subaltern officers: First Lt. John Stricker, Second Lt. Alexander Dow, and Ens. Samuel Reily. It also includes the names of four privates, two of whom enlisted on 18 April and two on 22 April. The roster is certified by George Noarth, deputy mustermaster general (DLC:GW).
3. A warrant for $400 was issued to Hunter on 26 April “for recruiting” (warrant book no. 2, DLC:GW, ser. 5, vol. 18; see also , 7:314).