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...
81To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 16th Inst: per Post this Minute came to Hand, & shall be laid before Congress on Monday. I do myself the Pleasure to enclose sundry Resolves for your Information, and likewise to forward the Commissions ordered by a Resolve of Congress on the 10th Inst., a Copy of which I transmitted in my Letter of that Date. With the most ardent and sincere Wishes for your Health &...
82To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Express with its several Inclosures I yesterday Rec’d, & yours by Post this moment come to hand; I have laid the whole before Congress, & am directed to keep the Express; I shall therefore only by the Return of the Post Inclose you Two Commiss[ion]s which please to order to be Deliver’d; Referring all other matters to be Sent by the Express. I have the hon. to be Your most Obedt...
83To George Washington from John Hancock, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Congress not having Come to a full Determination upon the Subject of your Letter by the Express, he is still Detain’d, I shall so soon as the Resolutions are perfected Dispatch him with them —Your favr of 20th I have rec’d, & is before Congress with its Inclosures. I have now only to Inclose you several Resolves pass’d yesterday in Congress, to which beg Leave to Refer you. I have the honour...
84To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The late Conduct of Lord Drummond is as extraordinary, as his Motives are dark and mysterious. To judge the most favourably of his Intentions, it should seem, that an overweening Vanity has betrayed him into a criminal Breach of Honour. But whether his Views were upright, or intended only to mislead and deceive, cannot at present be a Matter of any Importance. In the mean Time, I have the...
85To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favd with yours of yesterday’s Date, which I shall in the Morng Communicate to Congress. I inclose sundry Resolves of Congress to which beg leave to Refer you, & am with much Respect, Sir Your most obed. srt ALS , NjP : General Manuscripts. Hancock enclosed copies of Congress’s resolution of 26 Aug. concerning pensions for disabled American officers, soldiers, marines, and...
86To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose you sundry Resolves, by which you will perceive that Congress having taken your Letter of the 2d Inst. into Consideration, came to a Resolution, in a Committee of the whole House, that no Damage should be done to the City of New York. I have sent Expresses to order the Battalions up to Head Quarters agreeably to the Resolves herewith transmitted; & likewise to...
87To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this Minute honored with your Favour of the 6th Inst.; and am to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours to that Date. The Congress, concurring with the Proposal of exchanging Generals Prescot & McDonald for Genls Sullivan & Stirling, have authorized the Board of War to send the two former to you for that Purpose, as soon as possible. In Consequence of the Message which Genl...
88To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of 8th Inst. is now under the Consideration of Congress; as soon as they have come to a Determination upon it the Result shall be transmitted you, in the mean time Congress being Apprehensive that their former Resolution of 3d Int was not rightly understood, have directed me to Send you the foregoing, by which you will perceive that their wish is to preserve N. York & leave the...
89To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having at different Times passed sundry Resolves relative to a Variety of Subjects, I do myself the Honour to enclose you a Copy of the same, as necessary for your Information & Direction. The Resolve of the 12th respecting Colonel Trumbull, will I trust be satisfactory, & prove the Means of his continuing in an office of such Importance to the Army, and which he has hitherto...
90To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed Resolves of Congress, which I have the Honour to forward, that they have come to a Determination to augment our Army, & to engage the Troops to serve during the Continuance of the War. As an Inducement to enlist on these Terms, the Congress have agreed to give, besides a Bounty of twenty Dollars, a Hundred Acres of Land to each Soldier; and in Case he should...
91To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 2 October 1776 . “The Bearer Major Ross calling on Me previous to his setting out for Head Quarters, I have only Time to enclose you sundry Resolves, and to inform you, that I shall write you fully by General Mifflin.” LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions of 25, 26, 27, 30 Sept. and 1 Oct. concern Congress’s actions on a variety of matters affecting the army, including James...
92To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves will inform you of the Steps the Congress are taking to provide for the Army —they are so explicit that I need only refer your Attention to them—and indeed this is all I have Time to do at present. By General Mifflin who will set out tomorrow or next Day, I shall do myself the Pleasure to write you fully. I have the Honour to be with the greatest Esteem, Sir your most...
93To George Washington from John Hancock, 9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour to forward, will inform you of the ample Provision the Congress have made for the Support of both Officer and Soldier who shall enter into the Service during the War. The Pay of the former is considerably increased, and the latter is to receive annually a compleat Suit of Cloaths, or in Lieu thereof, the Sum of twenty Dollars, should he...
94To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Hancock, 15 Oct. 1776. On 18 Oct. GW wrote to Hancock : “I was Yesterday morning honoured with your favor of the 15th.”
95To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to forward the enclosed Resolves. The Cartridges are on the Way, and I hope will arrive in Season. The Congress will be attentive to all your Requests. With Sentiments of Esteem and every Wish in your Favour I have the Honour to be Sir your most obed. & very hble Servt LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed copies of Congress’s resolutions of 14–16, 18, 21, and 23 Oct. concerning various...
96To George Washington from John Hancock, 28 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
This moment Dodd the Express from the State of Massachusetts, who Took your Dispatches to Congress on Saturday last, Arriv’d at my house, and informs me that this Day about 12 oClock he put up at one Bissinett’s a publick house in Bristol, where he open’d his Bundle to deliver a Letter to be forwarded over the Ferry to Mrs Reed, & leaving his Bundle in the Barr Room while he Stept out, on his...
97To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress, apprehensive that Commissioners from some of the States for the Purpose of appointing Officers in the Army under the new Establishment, may not have arrived at the Camp, and at the same Time fully and deeply impressed with the Necessity of recruiting the Army to its full Complement, have passed the enclosed Resolves, authorizing you to grant Warrants to such Officers as you shall...
98To George Washington from John Hancock, 9–12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive from the enclosed Resolve, that Congress having reconsidered their Vote of the 14th Octr, have agreed to give the former Allowance of one Dollar & one Third of a Dollar to the Officers on the Reinlistment of every Soldier in the Camp. The compleating the Army being at present an Object of the utmost Importance, the Congress are desirous of adopting every Means in their Power,...
99To George Washington from John Hancock, 14 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter from Mr Searle, a Gentleman of Honour & a Friend to the Cause of America, I am commanded by Congress to forward to you with the utmost Expedition. The uncertain Destination of the Fleet therein mentioned, makes it absolutely necessary that you should be informed of the Intelligence as soon as possible, that you may make such Dispositions of the Troops under your Command as...
100To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last Nothing material has occurred here, nor have I any Thing in Charge from Congress, except to request you will negotiate an Exchange of the Hessian Prisoners at Elizabeth Town under the Care of Mr Ludwick as soon as possible. They have been treated in such a Manner during their Stay in this City, that it is apprehended, their going back among their Countrymen, will be attended with...