Commission to Robert Breck, 24 January 1776
Commission to Robert Breck
[Cambridge, 24 January 1776]
You being recommended to me as a proper person to muster the Regiment now raising by Order of The General Court of This Province, in the Counties of Hampshire & Berkshire for the Continental Service1 I do therefore by virtue of the powers & Authorities to me given, by The Continental Congress—Constitute and appoint you Commissary for that particular
purpose—willing and Commanding all Officers, Soldiers, & persons any ways Concerned to be Obedient and Assisting to you in the execution of this Commission—Neither Negroes (being Slaves) old Men, or Boys, unable to bear Arms, & to endure the fatigues of the Campaign, nor Persons labouring under any bodily infirmity whatsoever are to be allowed to pass Muster, of which you are to take due Notice. Given under my Hand and Seal at Head Quarters Cambridge this 24th day of January Anno Domini 1776.
Df, in Thomas Mifflin’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. On this date Stephen Moylan wrote to Joseph Hawley: “I have it in Comand from his Excellency to Send you herewith a Commission, for Such person as you Shall think qualified to muster the Regiment raiseing in Hampshire & Berkshire, as his appointment is for that particular purpose only—his Excellency is of opinion that you had better agree with him for the terms, on which he is to execute this business, & then fill up the blank in the Commission with his name, the form of the muster Roll is Inclosed” (MHi: Miscellaneous Bound Collection). The draft of the commission is addressed “to Robert Bricker Gentn,” but it was given to Robert Breck (see Breck to GW, 20 May 1776). In the lower left-hand corner of the draft appear the words “By His Excellency’s Command.”