From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 May 1777
To John Hancock
Head Qrs Middle Brook May 29: 1777
Sir
I this morning had the Honor of your Letter of the 27th with its Inclosures.
I shall pay the strictest attention to the Resolutions transmitted me; However I am not without apprehensions, that the Regulation lately adopted, respecting Chaplains, will not answer. I recollect when One was assigned, in the course of last year, to Two Regiments, the prevailing Opinion was, and that founded on a variety of reasons, that it would not do, and the old mode of appointment was introduced again.
General’s Schuyler’s proposal for raising One or Two Troops of Horse, I think a Good one; I intended to write to him upon the Subject, before the receipt of your favor and shall do it by the first Opportunity.
I arrived here yesterday Evening. Nothing of importance has occurred since, and I have not further to add, than that I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Most Obed. Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. You will be pleased to send the Letter which accompanies this, to Genl Reed.1
LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The copy in DLC:GW and the Varick transcript do not include the postscript. Congress read this letter on 30 May (, 8:406).
1. GW wrote Joseph Reed on this date: “Congress having empowered me, by a Resolve transmitted this morning, to assign One of the General’s already appointed to the command of the Light Horse, I mean that you should act in that line, if agreable to yourself, and wish you, in such case, to repair to Camp, as soon as you can” (LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, RPJCB).