To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 June 1777
From John Hancock
Philada June 5th 1777.
Sir,
The enclosed Resolves are all I have in Charge from Congress to forward at this Time.1
General Mifflin having applied to Congress in Consequence of your Letter to him, he has their Permission to repair immediately to Head Quarters agreeably to his own Desire. I have made him acquainted with this Determination of Congress.2
In Order that you may be enabled to meet Genl Howe upon his own Ground who has long since offered Rewards to induce the Soldiers of the American Army to desert, the Congress have authorized you to fix on such Rewards or Sum of Money as you may judge proper to encourage Deserters from the Enemy, both Horse and Foot. You will therefore be pleased to carry this Resolve into Execution in such Way as you may think most expedient, and best suited to answer the End.3 I have the Honour to be, with the utmost Esteem and Respect Sir your most obed. & very hble Servt
John Hancock Presidt
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 12A.
1. The enclosed copies of Congress’s resolutions of 29–30 May and 2, 4 June concern, in addition to the matters mentioned in the text of the letter, a prohibition on the impressment of persons, horses, or wagons taking provisions to the army or returning therefrom, the ordering of Col. Charles Harrison’s artillery regiment to join GW’s army, commissions for the French officers who had arrived on the Amphitrite, and the treatment of Col. Archibald Campbell and the Hessian field officers who were being held as security for the good treatment of Gen. Charles Lee by the British (DLC:GW; see also , 8:396, 406, 411–12).
2. See GW’s letter to Thomas Mifflin of 28 May and the copy of Congress’s resolution of 4 June on this subject in DLC:GW; see also ibid., 416.
3. See the copy of Congress’s resolution of 4 June on this subject in DLC:GW; see also ibid., 417.