1From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of July 20. came safely to hand, together with the Memorial of Monsieur de Latombe of the 7th of June and the Resolve of the legislature of Massachusetts of the 24th of the same month. on considering the nature of the difficulties which have occurred in the execution of the Consular convention, they appeared to be such as could not be removed but by a legislative act. when these...
2From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys letter of the 10th inst. enclosing a Resolve of the Senate & House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and sundry documents relative to the Eastern boundary of the United States. Previous to the receipt of your Excellency’s letter I had laid this subject before the Senate of the United States for their consideration, with such...
3From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States presents his best respects to the Governor, and has the honor to inform him that he shall be at home ’till 2 o’clock. The President of the United States need not express the pleasure it will give him to see the Governor—but, at the same time, he most earnestly begs that the Governor will not hazard his health on the occasion. Copy, DLC:GW . The letter and...
4From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your Excellen[c]y’s polite letter of today—and have the honor to inform you that in consequence of suggestions made by the Gentlemen from Boston and the Depy Adjut. Genl (whom I met at Worcester this morning) that it would make it more convenient for the troops, many of which lived at a distance from the place of parade, if I should pass through Cambridge at an...
5From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
A few miles west of this village I met the Express, who delivered me Your Excellency’s letter of yesterday. I have been so fortunate as to proceed thus far without any accident to delay my journey—should nothing occur to prevent me, I shall be at Weston to-morrow night—and I purpose taking dinner so early at Watertown on Saturday, as to reach Cambridge by half past 2 o’clock. Thence I presume...
6From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am taking the earliest occasion of acknowledging the receipt of the letter, which you did me the favor to address to me by Mr Allen; and to thank you for your kind congratulations on my appointment to the Presidency of the United States. Mrs Washington is not here, but is expected in the course of this month; on her arrival I shall not fail of executing the friendly Commission of Mrs Hancock...
7From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
The very favorable opinion you are pleased to entertain of my public conduct, and the kind expressions of personal friendship you have had the goodness to repeat in your Letter of the 15th Ulto could not fail to receive my warmest acknowledgments; had not the higher Motives of esteem & attachment already rivitted my affections to you. Accipt my best thanks for the present testimony of your...
8From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency the Copy of a Letter I have just received from Sir Guy Carleton, informing me of his having given orders for the evacuation of Penobscott. Congress having come to no determination with respect to a Peace Establishment, and the few Troops remaining in Service being on a precarious footing liable to be discharged at every moment, are reasons,...
9From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The present superiority of the British Fleet upon this Coast, naturally makes the Marquis de Vaudreuil apprehensive for the safety of that under his command in the Harbor of Boston. Should the enemy make an attempt upon him, a land force, superior to what he possesses, will be necessary for his defence, and for that he must depend upon the Militia in the neighbourhood of Boston. I am certain,...
10From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will permit me to introduce to your particular Notice & Attention M. Genl D. Choissny, who will have the Honor to present this Letter. As an Officer old in Command, & eminent for his Services, he has the Honor to be placed at the Head of the Troops destined for the Expedition proposed by the Marquis de Vaudreuil against Penobscot, provided that Enterprize should be attempted....
11From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will be informed by B. Genl De Choisey, who does me the Honor to be the Bearer of this, that the Marquis De Vaudruiel, with a fleet of his most Christian Majesty’s Ships of War, may be soon expected in the Harbour of Boston. By a Correspondence which has passed between the Marquis & the Count de Rochambeau (a Copy of which I have been favored with by the latter) I am informed...
12From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the plan of Campaign must depend entirely on the means that are put into my hands, of which I have scarcely a conjectural knowledge at this time—and, on the force of the Enemy at their different Posts—I shall be obliged to your Excellency (as the communication between Boston & Hallifax is open to Flags, which frequently pass) for the most accurate account which you can obtain, covertly, of...
13From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I find myself arrived at that period, at which I hoped to have seen the Batallions of the several States compleated to their Establishment, in conformity to the requisition of Congress of the 19th Decr last. The inclosed returns of Recruits, which I have caused to be made up to the 1st Instant, will shew how totally short of my expectation the exertions of the States, have fallen—from your...
14From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this day receiv’d a Letter from the Count Rochambeau, a copy of which is inclos’d, respecting the Militia from the State of Massachusetts, that were some time since requested for the Rhode Island Department; as they have not arrived agreeable to my expectations, I have to request your Excellency to forward them with the utmost dispatch, as it is of the greatest importance that that post is...
15From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor to address your Excellency under the 25th June last—requestg that you would be pleased to order 600, of the Militia of your State, which I Supposed to be raising under a former Requisition, to be sent to Albany for the Protection of the Northern & Western Frontier of the State of N. york—to this Letter (as indeed to several others of much earlier Date) I have not had the...
16From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Heath, in a letter of the 4th inst. informs me that the state have about 52 Pipes of Teneriffe Wine, which they are willing if it will answer as well to send forward to the army in lieu of Rum—as he thought it more than probable that he would have left Boston before my answer could arrive, he desired me to make it to your Excellency—wine cannot be distributed to the soldier insttead of...
17From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have not been honored with an answer to my several letters of the 24th and 25th of May and of the 2d 4th 15. and 25th of last Month, and am of course unable to form any certain estimate of what may be expected in consequence of my requisitions—this puts me in rather an awkard situation, as I can not give His Excellency Count Rochambeau, who has formed a junction with me, that official...
18From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I find I shall be under the necessity of drawing down all the Continental Troops which are at present upon the Northern frontiers, and as there is very great reason to apprehend an incursion of the Enemy from Canada, I shall be obligd to keep a respectable force of Militia in that quarter, in addition to the State Troops of New York; I have therefore taken the liberty to order the quotas from...
19From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I flatter myself that proper Measures have been before this Time taken to procure the number of Men for Continental and Militia service, required by my Letter of the 24th May from Weathersfield. For the Calculation which I then made of the Aid of Militia which would be necessary to support the Operations which we have in View, I included sixteen hundred from Pennsylvania, but that State having...
20From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
One thousand Militia in addition to four hundred Troops having been deemed necessary to the security of the fleet, in the harbour of Newport, after the departure of the land Forces, I am to request Your Excellency to give orders for Five hundred from the State of Massachusetts to repair to Rhode Island as soon as they shall be demanded by His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau—The State of...
21From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The proposed operations of the campaign will occasion such a demand for heavy cannon and military stores, as to exceed the number and quantity of those articles immediately in possession of the Continent. This insufficiency obliges me to apply to such of the neighbouring States as can afford us any assistance, with a full confidence that the importance of the object, and the apparent...
22From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The great demand we shall have for powder in the proposed operations of the campaign constrains me to request a loan of this article, of the States who are possessed of it, to supply the deficiency of the Continental magazine. I therefore, Sir, earnestly request as great a loan of powder of the State of Massachusetts as can possibly be spared, and that the State would take most speedy and...
23From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will oblige me by having the inclosed delivered to Major General Howe should he be in Boston, or forwarding it to him should he be in the neighbourhood or in New Hampshire—The letter is of consequence, and I therefore hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken in addressing it to your particular care. I have the honor to be with very sincere Regard Yr Excellency’s Most obt...
24From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
It would have afforded me the greatest pleasure, had I been able to have extended my late visit to Newport as far as Boston, but the important operations, which may be expected to the southward, made it necessary for me to return as soon as possible to the North River, that I might be more immediately in the way of receiving intelligence, and communicating any, which might be essential to the...
25From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 5th by General Warner, to whom I gave every advice and assistance relative to the distribution of the generous donation of the State to their old Soldiers. This well timed gratuity has had, I am informed, a most happy effect, and I have not the least doubt, but if the future supplies of pay—Cloathing and provision, the two last in...
26From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Aide de Camp Col. Laurens is charged with a commission of the most critical importance from Congress to the Court of Versailles. The Alliance Frigate is ordered to convey him to France, but from the exhausted state of our continental resources in every department, delays which would be fatal to the objects of his mission are to be apprehended unless the influence of yr Exy or assistance of...
27From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 17th of November and 22d of December. The first, by some accident, had gone forward to Philadelphia and only reached me, by the post from thence, the 7th instant. Your Excellency will have had good reason to suppose me guilty of neglect, in not answering, sooner, so polite a renewal, on your part, of the correspondence which had been...
28From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon the representation of Mr Morey that two Negro Men belonging to him, were detained as Soldiers in the Massachusett’s Line, contrary to his inclination, I gave directions to Brigadier General Glover to appoint a Board of Officers to enquire into the Justice of his claim, and to report the facts with their opinion thereon—A Copy of the Report I now do myself the honor to inclose to You. As...
29From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 25th I received on Monday Afternoon. You have my warmest wishes for your recovery, and I shall be happy, if your recess should be attended with benefits superior to your most sanguine expectations. Your exertions to promote the Genl Interest I am well convinced will be unceasing and that every measure, the situation of your health will permit you to pursue will be employed to...
30From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting to Congress the inclosed copies of sundry letters just now received, and congratulate them most sincerely on the important intelligence which they contain. The damage the Enemy have sustained in their Ships, I hope will prevent their future attempts to gain the passage of the river, and the repulse of the Troops under Count Donnop and his Captivity, I...
31From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
It gives me real pain to learn, that the declining state of your health, owing to your unwearied application to public business, and the situation of your private affairs oblige you to relinquish a station; though but for a time, which you have so long filled with acknowledged propriety. Motives as well of a personal as of a general concern make me to regret the necessity that forces you to...
32From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the honor to receive your Letter of the 17th Instant with its several Inclosures. I heartily wish the States may feel the importance of filling their Batallions, and may, in consequence of the Recommendation of Congress, adopt such measures as will prove effectual for the purpose. I cannot but think that heretofore, there has been a want of attention in this instance, and that...
33From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honour to transmit you the inclosed most interesting and agreeable intelligence which I have this moment recd from Genl Putnam. I can scarce doubt but Genl Gates has sent you an Express, but lest he, from the important Business in which he was engaged, should not have done it, I have immediately forwarded it, that you might not be debarred from so great a pleasure an instant...
34From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your Favors of the 12th & 13th Instant, with their several Inclosures. In respect to the Resolution, directing a flag to be sent to Genl Howe, I am inclined to think, that the information upon which it was framed was without foundation. The Letters which have come from our Officers, who have been lately taken, generally mention that their treatment has been...
35From George Washington to John Hancock, 13–14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 11th Inst., nothing material has happened between our Army and General Howes. The inclosed Copies of Commodore Hazelwood and Colonel Bradfords Letters will shew the situation of affairs in the Navy and at Fort Mifflin on the 11th which are the latest accounts I have received from thence; But there has been a warm Canonade since, which continued...
36From George Washington to John Hancock, 10–11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday Evening, I received the honor of your Letter of the 7th with its several Inclosures. The providing of suitable Quarters for the Troops during the Winter, demands our Attention; but I confess, it is difficult to say, where they will be. Sundry circumstances may occur in the course of the Campaign, to render any Provision, which might now be thought of altogether improper. In...
37From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
As General How’s Operations are in this Quarter & his Object in all probability fixed for this Campaign, I am induced, to submit it to the consideration of Congress If the Whole or a part of the Regimt of Artillery commanded by Colo. Harrison, should not be immediately ordered to join this Army. In the late Actions, the Corps under Genl Knox has suffered severely, and it is so reduced by the...
38From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 5th I have obtained a Return of our loss in the Action on Saturday, by which it appears to be much more considerable, than I first apprehended, tho I always imagined myself, that it was greater, than it was generally supposed to be. The Copy of the Return inclosed will shew the amount as it now stands, but I hope, many of those who are missing...
39From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having received intelligence through Two intercepted Letters, that Genl Howe had detached a part of his force for the purpose of reducing Billingsport and the Forts on Delaware, I communicated the Accounts to my Genl Officers, who were unanimously of Opinion, that a favourable Opportunity offered to make an Attack upon the Troops, which were at & near German Town. It was accordingly agreed,...
40From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon, I had the honour to receive your Favours of the 30th Ulto with their Inclosures. I was much obliged by the Accounts from the Northern Army, tho’ in general they had reached me before, and I flatter myself we shall soon hear, that they have been succeeded by other fortunate and interesting Events, as the Two Armies by General Gates’s Letter were encamped near each other. I...
41From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 26th inclosing letters for Comodore Hazelwood and Capt. Alexander which I have forwarded to them. Lt Colo. Smith must have arrived at Fort Mifflin two days ago, as I heard from him at Ancocus Creek in the Jerseys. Colo. Nichola was in the Fort with about 60 of his Regt of Invalids and two Companies of Artillery of thirty each, and I advised him to withdraw what...
42From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not had the honor of addressing you since your adjournment to Lancaster, and I sincerely wish that my first letter was upon a more agreeable subject. The Enemy, by a variety of perplexing Maneuvres thro’ a Country from which I could not derive the least intelligence being to a man disaffected, contrived to pass the Schuylkill last Night at the Flat land and other Fords in the...
43From George Washington to John Hancock or Any Member of the Continental Congress, 22 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Hancock or Any Member of the Continental Congress, 22 Sept. 1777. Elbridge Gerry in his letter to GW of 24 Sept. referred to “your Letter of the 22d directed to the President or any Member of Congress.”
44From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured this Morning with your Favors of the 17th & 18th, with their Inclosures. I am much obliged to Congress for the late instance of their Confidence, expressed in their Resolution of the 17th, and shall be happy if my conduct in discharging the Objects, they had in view should be such as to meet their approbation. I am now repassing the Schuylkill at Parkers Ford, with the Main body...
45From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th I had the honor to receive last night with Governr Livingston & Genl Dickinsons Letters. It is out of my power to do more, than I already have for checking the Enemy’s progress in Jersey, and I should hope, that will be the case as soon as the Troops ordered from pecks Kill arrive to reinforce the Militia assembling under Genl Dickinson. I observe, that All the...
46From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favours of yesterday and their inclosures; to which due attention shall be paid. The enemy seem now to be straining every nerve to accomplish their purpose; but I trust, whatever present success they may have, they will ere long experience a reverse of fortune. If they have four thousand men in the Jersies, it is probable, they have something more serious in...
47From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here last night with the Army and am now so far advanced, as to be in a position to meet the Enemy on the Route to Swedes Ford, if they should direct their course that way. Their situation, I believe, from the best information I have been able to obtain, is nearly the same it was Yesterday Evening when I wrote you. I have ordered All the Troops to be refreshed this Morning, as they...
48From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterday with its several Inclosures came to hand last night. Though I would willingly pay every attention to the Resolutions of Congress, Yet in the late instance, respecting the recall of Genl Sullivan I must beg leave to defer giving any order about It, till I hear further from that Honble Body. Our situation at this time is critical and delicate, and nothing should be done...
49From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your’s of this morning, inclosing the copy of a letter from General Dickinson. In consequence of the interesting information contained in it, I have written to General Putnam, directing him to send forward a second detachment of a thousand men in addition to the former, as you will perceive by perusing the inclosed duplicate of my letter to him; which you will be pleased to...
50From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of this date. I heartily wish the Works on Delaware were compleated, but I think, and in this Opinion my Officers concur, that the service will be injured, if any part of the Continental Troops were now to be employed about ’em. If we should be able to oppose Genl Howe with success in the Feild, the Works will be unnecessary; If not, and he should force us...