31To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The polite Attention which your Goodness has induced you to pay to me and my private Affairs, particular[l]y while you were at Boston, makes me take the Liberty of requesting you to spare your Aid De Camp a few Days. If Mr Palfrey could, consistent with the Service, be permitted to pass two or three Days with me in this City, on Business of Importance to me, I shall esteem it a particular...
32To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 19th of April enclosing several Papers: all which were immediately laid before Congress. The important Intelligence they contain, makes it necessary that the most vigorous Measures should be adopted, as well to defend our Troops against the Canadians themselves, as to ensure Success to the Expedition. The Congress being determined on the...
33To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Deliver’d in Charge to Mr Hanson & Cox Three Hundred Thousand Dollars for the Service of the Army in Canada, & have directed them by order of Congress to Deliver the same to you, and am to Request you will please to order it to be Sent to General Schuyler at Albany under the Care of an Officer & some of the Troops destin’d for Canada to be Deliver’d General Schuyler. Your favrs of 22d &...
34To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolve of Congress respecting the Rifle Battalions and independant Rifle Companies, would have been transmitted sooner, had it not been omitted through a Mistake. I do myself the Pleasure of forwarding at this Time several Resolves of Congress relative to such Parts of your Letters as have hitherto come under Consideration. I propose writing more fully by Mr Palfrey who will set...
35To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having accepted the Resignation of the honorable James Warren as Paymaster General, have been pleased to appoint William Palfrey Esqr. to succeed him in that Department. I have wrote to Mr Warren to acquaint him that there are Superintendants of the Treasury appointed to whom he is to render his Accounts and Vouchers. I have also directed Mr Winthrop to deliver to Mr Palfrey all...
36To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
A vacancy having happend in the first New Jersey batallion by the promotion of lieutenant Colonel Winds, the Congress thought proper to elect Mr Ogden to supply his place. Lord Sterling in his letter of the 18th of March last, among other things, informed the Congress, that by this appointment Major de Hart and the batallion considered themselves “exceedingly hurt” and enclosing a memorial...
37To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you by Mr Palfrey on the 30th of last Month, I have not been honored with any Commands from Congress relative to your Letters, except the enclosed Resolve which I am ordered to forward to you. I have the Honour to be Sir your most obedt and very humble Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 12A. Hancock here struck out the words “under the Hand of the Secretary” on both copies...
38To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 5th and 7th Inst., which I had the Honour of laying before Congress. By the enclosed Resolves you will perceive the Sense of Congress upon some Parts of your Letters. The others are under the Consideration of different Committees. As soon as I am authorized, I will do myself the Pleasure of immediately transmitting the Result....
39To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have delivered in Charge to Captn Lenox and Co. four Hundred Thousand Dollars, contained in six Boxes, for the Use of the Troops in New York, and Massachusetts Bay. The particular Disposition of it with Regard to the latter of these Colonies, I cannot at present ascertain. I will therefore lay the Matter before Congress this Day, and inform you by tomorrow’s Post of the Result. The Secret...
40To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose you several Resolutions passed by the Congress, to which I beg Leave to refer you. The Congress being of Opinion, that it is necessary, as well for your Health, as the public Service, that you should embrace the earliest opportunity of coming to Philadelphia, have directed me to write to you, and request, that you will repair to Philada as soon as you can...
41To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I imagine this will meet you on the Road to this Place, I wave making any Mention of public Matters, except that it is the Wish of Congress, you would if consistent with the Good of the Service order one Battalion from New York to be posted at Amboy in the Jerseys agreable to the enclosed Resolve. Genl Gates arrived this Morning, soon after which I was honored with your Favour by Post which...
42To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry it is not in my Power to wait on you in Person to execute the Commands of Congress. But being deprived of that Pleasure by a severe Fit of the Gout, I am under the Necessity of taking this Method to acquaint you, That the Congress have directed me in their Name, to make the Thanks of that Body to you, for the unremitted Attention you have paid to your important Trust; and...
43To George Washington from John Hancock, 5–6 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having this Day made several Promotions in the Army of the United Colonies, and established some Rules for the future Direction of the Deputy Commissaries general, Deputy Quarter Master General &c. I do myself the Pleasure to enclose you a Copy of the same. I have delivered Col. Reed his Commission, and have sent Mr Whitecom Mr Mercer, and Mr Moyland theirs. Should you stand in...
44To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter from the Commissioners in Canada, I am commanded by Congress to transmit to you. The Contents of it are truly alarming. Our Army in that Quarter is almost ruined for Want of Discipline, and every Thing else necessary to constitute an Army, or to keep Troops together. The Congress, in this Situation of our Affairs, have resolved that Genl Wooster be recalled from Canada. I...
45To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Letters of 7th 8th and 9th Instant. The two first I have read in Congress. We have been two Days in a Committee of the Whole deliberating on three Capital Matters, the most important in their Nature of any that have yet been before us; & have sat till 7 O’Clock in the Evening each Day. That not being finished I judged best to return the Express. I shall press Congress...
46To George Washington from John Hancock, 11 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 10th Inst. containing the most interesting Intelligence was received this Day, and immediately laid before Congress. In Order to expedite the March of the Militia destined for New York, I have sent, by Order of Congress, Expresses to the several Colonies that are requested to furnish Troops for that Place. Copies of my Letters on the Occasion, I do myself the Pleasure to...
47To George Washington from John Hancock, 14–16 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely happy to have it in my Power to assure you that the several Matters referred to Congress in your Letters, will receive a speedy Determination. With great Pleasure I shall transmit you the Result, as soon as I am ordered. I enclose to you, at this Time, sundry important Resolves, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention. You will there perceive that Congress have ordered 9000...
48To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by Express yesterday, and enclosed you all the Resolutions of Congress to that Time, since which Nothing has occurred. This will be handed you by Captain Bradford, who has in Charge the Money destined for the Army in Canada, three Boxes of Silver Dollars containing 21,725½, and three Boxes of Paper Dollars containing 187,000. I am to request you will please to discharge the...
49To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will see, from the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Pleasure of forwarding in Obedience to the Commands of Congress, that they have bent their whole Attention to our Affairs in Canada, and have adopted such Measures, as in their Opinion, are calculated to place them on a better and more reputable Footing for the future. The most unfortunate Death of General Thomas having made a...
50To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter on the 18th Inst. I have Nothing further in Charge from Congress that particularly relates to yourself, or the Army immediately under your Command. I have wrote to the Conventions of the Jerseys and New York, and to the Assembly of Connecticut on the Subject of the Resolve, Inclos’d in my last and have pressed them to a Compliance with the Request therein contained. Mr Bedford...
51To George Washington from John Hancock, 21–22 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having the greatest Reason to believe there has been very gross Misconduct in the Management of our Affairs in Canada, have come to a Resolution to have a general Enquiry made into the Behaviour of the Officers employed on that Expedition. The Honour of the United Colonies, and a Regard for the Public Good, call loudly for such an Enquiry to be set on Foot. I am therefore directed...
52To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 21st Inst. by Mr Bennet with the Enclosure were duely received and laid before Congress, as you will perceive by the enclosed Resolves, to which I beg Leave to request your Attention. Altho the Commissioners have undoubtedly mistaken the Intention of Congress, yet the Terms, in which The Resolve is conceived, viz. “That the General be empow[e]red to employ in Canada a Number...
53To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of transmitting in Obedience to the Commands of Congress, and to which I beg Leave to request your Attention, that they have come to a Resolution to augment the Number of Troops, destined for the Northern Department, four Thousand. It is scarcely necessary to mention the Motives on which they acted, or to explain the...
54To George Washington from John Hancock, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of transmitting sundry Resolves, respecting the further Augmentation of the Continental Forces. The Congress have thought it expedient, to order a German Battalion to be raised, as soon as possible, to be employed in such Manner, as will be most likely, to defeat the Designs of our Enemies, and to promote the Cause of American Liberty. Your Favour of the 27th Inst. with...
55To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by the Express on Saturday last, since which nothing has Occurr’d worthy your Notice —The sole Reason of Troubling you with this is to Acquaint you that in Consequence of your orders to Capt. Peters he proceeded with Major Rogers to this City, & Call’d on me Saturday last, & in the Evening of that day I Reliev’d him of his Charge, & put Major Rogers under Guard at the Barracks,...
56To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Monsr Antoine Felis Wiebert, a French Gentleman, who brings such ample Recommendation of his Skill, as an Engineer, that the Congress are desirous of having him placed in a Situation, where he may have it in his Power, to shew it. And, indeed, this is all he requests himself; being very willing, after his Abilities shall be put to the Trial, that his future...
57To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, to which I must beg Leave to refer your Attention, will inform you of the Steps Congress have taken to establish the flying Camp. To the unhappy Confusions, that have prevailed in this Colony, must principally be ascribed the Delays that have hitherto attended that salutary Measure. However I flatter myself Things will now take a different Turn, as the Contest to keep...
58To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress, for some Time past, have had their Attention occupied by one of the most interesting and important Subjects, that could possibly come before them, or any other Assembly of Men. Altho it is not possible to foresee the Consequences of Human Actions, yet it is nevertheless a Duty we owe ourselves and Posterity, in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner we are able,...
59To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of enclosing sundry Resolves of Congress, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention, and which are so explicit, that I need not enlarge. In obedience to the Commands of Congress, I have wrote to Generals Schuyler & Gates and have recommended a mutual Confidence, and Harmony in their military operations. Their joint Labour & Exertions are requisite in that Quarter; nor...
60To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter from Mr Ephraim Anderson, I am directed to transmit by Order of Congress. As Mr Anderson appears to be an ingenious Man, and proposes to destroy the British Fleet at New York, the Congress are willing to give him an Opportunity of trying the Experiment, and have therefore thought proper to refer him to you. The Event only can shew, whether his Scheme is visionary, or...
61To George Washington from John Hancock, 11 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inform you, that your several Letters to this Time, have been duely received in the Order of their Dates. I now enclose sundry Resolves, to which I must beg Leave to request your Attention. Agreeable to the Resolve herewith transmitted, I have enclosed Mr Anderson’s Letter to you, and wrote you on the Subject. He will present you the Letter himself. The Postmaster...
62To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 10th Inst:—and to acquaint you, that it is now under the Consideration of Congress. The enclosed Resolves I do myself the Honour to transmit, as necessary for your Information. I have wrote to General Schuyler, and the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, respecting the same. In obedience to the Commands of Congress, I have enclosed you two...
63To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
In perusing the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of transmitting, you will perceive, your Letters of the 11th & 12th Inst: have been received, and laid before Congress; and that in Consequence thereof, they have taken such Measures, as are calculated to expedite the raising the Flying Camp, & to furnish them with Articles of the greatest Use and Necessity. I have wrote to...
64To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to forward the foregoing Resolves. By to morrow’s Post I hope to write you on the Subject of all your Letters which remain unanswer’d. I have the honr to be Your very hume sevt Your favr 14th just Rec’d. ALS , DLC:GW . This note is written at the end of the three resolutions of 15 July which were copied from the minutes of Congress and signed by its secretary Charles Thomson....
65To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 14th Inst: was duely received, and immediately laid before Congress. In obedience to their Commands, I do myself the Honour to forward sundry Resolves. The Congress being of Opinion, that a Quantity of Powder should be distributed thro’ the several Counties of New York and New-Jersey, I am to request, you will give Directions to have it lodged in the Hands of such Persons as...
66To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Mr Griffin delivered me your letter of the 4th with the packets, which I have laid before Congress. No resolution is taken in consequence thereof, nor has any thing new Occurred since my last, except the Inclos’d Resolves. I have the honour to be Sr Your obedt humble Servt LS , DLC:GW . Hancock is referring to GW’s letter to him of 15 July which was laid before Congress on this date ( JCC...
67To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
My Earnestness to convey to you as soon as possible, the Intelligence this Moment received from South Carolina, on which I most sincerely congratulate you, I am confident, will apologize for my not adding more, than to tell you, that enclosed you will find the Copy of General Lee’s Letter, and the Account from the Deserters who escaped after the Action. I am loth to hinder the Express one...
68To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to inform you that this moment your favr of 19th is come to hand. Inclos’d is this morning’s paper, to which beg to Refer you. My best wishes attend you & am Your most obedt svt ALS , DLC:GW . Hancock apparently enclosed a copy of this day’s edition of the Pennsylvania Ledger: Or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New-Jersey Weekly Advertiser (Philadelphia), which...
69To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose sundry Resolves, to which I must entreat your Attention. The Congress, you will there find, reposeing the most entire Confidence in your Judgment, have left the Disposition of the Troops at New York, the Flying Camp, and Tyonderoga, wholly with you; being fully assured, you will make such an Arrangement, as in your Opinion, will conduce most to the Public...
70To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Congress being Adjourn’d, I have to Acknowledge the Rect of yor favr of 25th, this moment come to hand. The Subject of it is so just that I will venture to Say that it will be Complied with in it’s fullest lattitude. The Preamble to the Resolution for Confiscating the Property of the Subjects of the King of Great Brittain, havg been this day Expung’d, & the Resolution alter’d, agreeable to the...
71To George Washington from John Hancock, 29 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honour’d with your favrs of 22d 25th & 27th Inst.—I hope by to morrow’s Post to Transmitt you Answers to the whole of your Letters which are yet unanswer’d—The exceeding warm Season, & the constant Attention of Congress to Business the last week, induc’d Congress to Adjourn from Friday Eveng to this morning, I shall directly lay yor Letters before them, & request their immediate...
72To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 30 July 1776 . “Monsr St Martin having been Recommended to Congress as a Gentleman conversant in the Engineering Branch, they have been pleas’d to Appoint him in that Department with the Rank of Lieut. Coll.” GW is directed to “employ him where you Judge the Service will be best promoted.” LB , DNA:PCC , item 12A. St. Martin was recommended by Elbridge Gerry in a letter to John...
73To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Pleasure to enclose, at this Time, sundry Resolves of Congress, relating principally to new Appointments and Promotions in the Army. The Return of Col: Elmores Regimt (which you will please to give Orders to join you) I now transmit, together with blank Commissions, to be filled up with the Names of such Officers as appear with their respective Companies in the Regiment. I...
74To George Washington from John Hancock, 31 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of transmitting, are so explicit, that I need only refer your Attention to them. You will please to give such Orders, with Regard to building Boats for the Service of the Flying Camp, as you shall judge necessary. A Copy of Genl Mercer’s Letter to Congress on this Subject, you have enclosed. I have wrote to the Council of Safety of this State...
75To George Washington from John Hancock, 2–6 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am particularly instructed by Congress to Answer that part of your Letter of 29th Ulto directed to the Board of War, which Relates to the filling up Vacancies in the Army. The Congress are Concern’d to find that an opinion is entertain’d that greater Confidence has been plac’d in, & larger powers given to other Commanders in that respect, than to yourself; They have in no instance, except in...
76To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 7 with the papers enclosed are received and now under consideration of Congress. Enclosed I send you a resolution passed respecting lieutenant Josiah. He was first lieutenant of captain Nicholas Biddle & was taken in a ship capt. Biddle had made prize of, by the Cerberus frigate. By a letter which he found means to convey he informs that “he is used worse than he ever...
77To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Conceiving it highly necessary you should be informed as soon as possible of the Promotions the Congress were yesterday pleased to make in the Army of the American States, I do myself the Honour to enclose you a List of the same by Express. The Continental Battalion, commanded by Colonel Haslet, will begin their March this Day for the Jerseys; where, on their Arrival at Amboy, the Colonel has...
78To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this Minute honoured with your Favour of the 8th and 9th inst: per Post. Having sent off an Express this Morning, at which Time, I forwarded Commissions for the General officers appointed yesterday by Congress, I shall not detain the Post to send the Commissions ordered by the enclosed Resolve. In the mean Time, you will please to direct the Persons to do such Duty as you shall think...
79To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 13 August 1776 . “I have nothing in Charge from Congress to Communicate to you. Had not the honour of a Letter by the Post, I Judge the Return Express is on the Road, by whom wish to have an Agreeable Accot of the State of the Army.” ALS , DLC:GW .
80To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 16 August 1776 . “I have only time to Acknowledge the Rect of your Letter of 15th, and to Transmitt the Resolves pass’d since my last, which you will find Inclos’d.” ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolves of 13, 14, and 15 Aug. include a request that GW send Congress a copy of the Massachusetts treaty with the St. John’s and Micmac Indians, a plan for encouraging Hessians and other...