1From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 4th inclosing sundry Resolves of Congress from the 29th March to the 5th instant. I am extremely glad to see the Resolve for the immediate removal of Military Stores from Baltimore and Annapolis, for altho’ I do not imagine that the Enemy intend an expedition of any great Consequence in Chesapeak Bay, yet while the Stores lay at the above places, they were...
2From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honour to transmit you the inclosed most interesting and agreeable intelligence which I have this moment recd from Genl Putnam. I can scarce doubt but Genl Gates has sent you an Express, but lest he, from the important Business in which he was engaged, should not have done it, I have immediately forwarded it, that you might not be debarred from so great a pleasure an instant...
3From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received the favor of your Letter of the 26th with the Resolves to which it alludes. The views of Congress in sending General Officers to the Eastward, to hasten on the Troops, have been long anticipated. Genl Poor is in New Hampshire for the purpose; General Heath in Massachusets Bay, with Brigadrs Nixon, Glover and Patterson; General Varnum in Rhode Island, and Genl Parsons in...
4From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your Excellen[c]y’s polite letter of today—and have the honor to inform you that in consequence of suggestions made by the Gentlemen from Boston and the Depy Adjut. Genl (whom I met at Worcester this morning) that it would make it more convenient for the troops, many of which lived at a distance from the place of parade, if I should pass through Cambridge at an...
5From George Washington to John Hancock, 11–13 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you, that since my Letter of the 8th and 9th Instt, which I had the honor of addressing you, Nothing of importance has occurred, except that the Ships of War, which I then mentioned, in their passage up the River, took a Sloop that was at Anchor off the Mouth of Spitendevil, and Two of our Row Gallies, which they out sailed. The Crews finding that they could not prevent...
6From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you Yesterday, Nothing of Importance has occurred and the Enemy remain, as they then were. I was reconnoitring the Country and different Roads all Yesterday, and am now setting out on the same business again. Sensible of the advantages of Light Troops, I have formed a Corps under the command of a Brigadier, by drafting a Hundred from each Brigade, which is...
7From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I herewith transmit you Copies of a Letter from Genl Schuyler and Its several Inclosures which I received since I had the honor of addressing you yesterday. From these you will learn, that Genl Thomas died the 2d Instant, and the apprehensions of our Frontier friends in this Colony that our Savage foes are meditating an attack against them. I must beg leave to refer you to a paragraph in the...
8From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor and pleasure to inform you that the Enemy evacuated Brunswic this morning and retired to Amboy, burning many Houses as they went along. Some of them from the appearance of the Flames were considerable Buildings. From several pieces of information and from a variety of Circumstances it was evident that a move was in agitation, and it was the general Opinion that it was intended...
9From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 14 & 18 Instt and the Interesting resolves contained in them, with which I have been honoured. The several matters recommended to my attention shall be particularly regarded, and the directions of Congress and your requests complied with in every instance as far as in my power. The Instituting a War Office is certainly an event of great...
10From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
It gives me real pain to learn, that the declining state of your health, owing to your unwearied application to public business, and the situation of your private affairs oblige you to relinquish a station; though but for a time, which you have so long filled with acknowledged propriety. Motives as well of a personal as of a general concern make me to regret the necessity that forces you to...
11From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday had the Honor of writing you and to advise of our arrival here. I am now to inform you that the Enemy are still advancing and that their Vanguard had proceeded as far as Bonum, a small Town about four miles this side of Woodbridge according to my last intelligence. As to their number reports are various. Some say they were joined yesterday by a considerable reinforcement from...
12From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to transmit you a Copy of my Letter to Lord Howe as well on the Subject of a Genl Exchange of prisoners in the Naval Line, as that of Lieutt Josiah in particular, and of his Lordships Answer, which for Its matter and manner, is very different from Genl Carletons Orders which were forwarded Yesterday. The Situation of the Armies being the same, as when I had the...
13From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of addressing you in Consequence of an Application from the Commissary General, who is by my Direction taking all proper Precautions on the Approach of Winter. I desired him to commit to writing such Proposals as his Experience & Knowledge of the Country might intitle him to make, which he has done in the Paper which I have the Honour to inclose. The Difficulty of...
14From George Washington to John Hancock, 6 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that on yesterday morning the Enemy made a sudden and unexpected movement from the Several posts they had taken in our Front. they broke up their whole Encampments the preceding night, and have advanced towards King’s bridge and the North river. the design of this manuvre, is a matter of much conjecture and speculation, and cannot be accounted for with any...
15From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by General Arnold, who arrived here to day in his way to Philadelphia. He seems to be anxious to settle his public Accounts, which are of considerable amount, and waits on Congress, hoping they will appoint a Committee of their Body, or of such Gentlemen, as they shall judge proper, to take the matter into consideration. This he considers, the more necessary, as he...
16From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Aide de Camp Col. Laurens is charged with a commission of the most critical importance from Congress to the Court of Versailles. The Alliance Frigate is ordered to convey him to France, but from the exhausted state of our continental resources in every department, delays which would be fatal to the objects of his mission are to be apprehended unless the influence of yr Exy or assistance of...
17From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Letter of the 29th Ulto, inclosing Sundry Resolves. Agreable to the directions of Congress, I have written to the States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and urged them to compleat and forward their Troops, destined for Ticonderoga, with all possible expedition. The Brigadiers gone there for the present, are Fermoy—Poor—Patterson & Learned. Nixon & Glover...
18From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of this date with its inclosures is now before me. At the same time that I express my thanks for the high mark of confidence which Congress have been pleased to repose in me by their Resolve authorizing me to send an Officer to command the northern Army, I should wish to be excused from making the appointment. For this, many Reasons might be mentioned, and which, I am persuaded will...
19From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the petition preferred by the Independant Corps of Boston and beg leave thro you to Inform Congress, that the Five Regiments there are extremely deficient in Arms, as are many Other Regiments in Continenta⟨l⟩ pay, and Submit It to their consideration whethe⟨r⟩ any part of the Arms lately taken, under these circumstances shou’d be delivered to the Gentlemen applying for them,...
20From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Captain Desheild of Mr Buchanans Ship from Baltimore who was taken by the Enemy and carried into York made his Escape from thence on Saturday Evening. He informs, that three thousand Troops, British & Hessian, embarked about Ten days ago from the City & Staten Island on board Transports which were laying at the Latter when he came away, he adds that the Enemy have built & are building a number...
21From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment Honor’d with yours of 5 OClock this morning, & have accordingly sett the Army in Motion One Division had Cross’d the Deleware the day before Yesterday, & I am in hopes the whole of the Troops now here will be able to reach Philada tomorrow Evening Lord stirlings Division lies just in my rear & will move on with us I propose setting off for your City as soon as I can get the...
22George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Pennypackers Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 5, 1777. Describes the “unfortunate” attack on Germantown. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
23From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 15th instant with the sundry Resolves inclosed in it. If that respecting the Continental Currency is carried strictly into execution, it cannot fail of fully re-establishing its Credit. I have no objection to the three Gentlemen who are recommended for Feild Officers in the New Hampshire Regiment, they seem fully intitled to it, as they have raised the Regiment....
24From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your favor of the 20th by Yesterdays post, since which and my Letter, nothing of moment has occurred. The Ships mentioned in my Letter of the 21st to have been in the Offing, got in that day, and are supposed to be part of the Scotch fleet, having landed some Highlanders Yesterday. Inclosed I have the honor to Transmit you Copies of a Letter, and Sundry Resolutions which I...
25From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured this Morning with your Favors of the 17th & 18th, with their Inclosures. I am much obliged to Congress for the late instance of their Confidence, expressed in their Resolution of the 17th, and shall be happy if my conduct in discharging the Objects, they had in view should be such as to meet their approbation. I am now repassing the Schuylkill at Parkers Ford, with the Main body...
26From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Captn Martindale & Lieutt Turner who were taken last Fall in the Armed Brig Washington, & who with Mr Childs the 2d Lieutt have lately effected their escape from Hallifax. Captn Martindale and these Two Officers have applied to me for pay from the 1st of January till this time, But not conceiving myself authorized to grant It, however reasonable It may be, as they...
27From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Reed would inform you of the Intelligence which I first met with on the Road from Trenton to Princeton Yesterday. Before I got to the latter, I received a Second express informing me, that as the Enemy were advancing by different Routs and attempting by One to get in the rear of our Troops which were there & whose numbers were small and the place by no means defensible, they had judged...
28From George Washington to John Hancock, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to be informed, whether Congress have written, or mean to write themselves to Generals Schuyler & St Clair to repair to Head Quarters, or whether they expect me to do it. My reason for this is, the Resolves for their recall, transmitted in your Favor of the 2d Instant do not mention how the same should be communicated. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Your Most Hble...
29From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday morning honoured with your favor of the 15th with the Resolutions of the 11th and 14th. the latter by which Congress have authorized me to appoint Monsr Pennet a Brevet Aid De Camp, claims a return of my acknowledgements. Last night I received a Letter from Mr Varrick, Secretary to Genl Schuyler, inclosing a Copy of One from Genl Arnold to Genl Gates. The Intelligence...
30From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you, the inclosed Memorandum of Warlike stores wanted for an Expedition to the River St John’s, which I received in a Letter from Genl Heath of the 16th Inst. The Memorandum was sent, that I might order the Stores to be supplied. Not knowing, that Congress have such an Expedition in view at this Time, I do not conceive myself authorized to comply with the...
31From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit Congress, a Copy of a Letter I received yesterday Evening by Express from Genl Livingston—Also Copies of three Reports from Colo. Hand. Though the Intelligence reported by the Spy on his return to Genl Livingston, has not been confirmed by the Event he mentions, an Attack last night, there is every reason to beleive that One is shortly designed. The falling...
32From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Du Coudray has lain before me a plan of the river, by which it appears, that, for a considerable space between the two sand banks on the East side of Fort-Island, there is from four to four and a half fathom’s depth of water. According to this representation, there would be room for three frigates to lie between those banks, in such a position, as to enfilade the works at Fort-Island, and...
33From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the Honor of your favor of the 24th with Its inclosures. No Letters came for you from Genl Schuyler, and therefore, agreable to your request, I transmit you a Copy of the One I received from him, and of the material papers, which it covered. Among the Copies, you will find Genl Burgoyn’s instructions at large to Lt Colo. Baum, pointing out the Objects of his Command, when he...
34From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
My Conjecture of the Destination of the late Squadron from Boston in my last has been unhappily verified by an Outrage exceeding in Barbarity & Cruelty every hostile Act practised among civilized Nations. I have inclosed the Account given me by Mr Jones a Gentleman of the Town of Falmouth of the Destruction of that increasing & flourishing Village. He is a very great Sufferer & informs me that...
35From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will be informed by B. Genl De Choisey, who does me the Honor to be the Bearer of this, that the Marquis De Vaudruiel, with a fleet of his most Christian Majesty’s Ships of War, may be soon expected in the Harbour of Boston. By a Correspondence which has passed between the Marquis & the Count de Rochambeau (a Copy of which I have been favored with by the latter) I am informed...
36From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your favor of the 31st Ulto on Friday with Its several Inclosures, and return you my thanks for the agreable Intelligence you were pleased to communicate of the arrival of One of our Ships with such valuable Articles as Arms & Ammunition: also of the Capture made by a privateer. The mode for the Exchange of Prisoners resolved on by Congress, is acceded to by Genl Howe so...
37From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit Congress a Copy of a Letter covering Copies of other papers, which I received yesterday Evening from Genl Sullivan. The Intelligence communicated by him, is pleasing and Interesting, and such as must afford the greatest satisfaction, If the conduct the Canadians have discovered since his arrival among them, is Ingenuous & sincere. His Account is contrasted by...
38From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday Evening honored with yours of the 14th. I have heard nothing from the Northward since my last. I this day recd Advice from Staten Island that on Sunday Seventy sail of the Enemy’s Ships fell down from the watering place to the Hook but whether they have since gone out to Sea, I have not heard. Till I have more certain information of the State of our Affairs to the Northward,...
39From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States presents his best respects to the Governor, and has the honor to inform him that he shall be at home ’till 2 o’clock. The President of the United States need not express the pleasure it will give him to see the Governor—but, at the same time, he most earnestly begs that the Governor will not hazard his health on the occasion. Copy, DLC:GW . The letter and...
40George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Pennypackers Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 7, 1777 . Reports American losses at Germantown and estimates British losses. Intends to rest the men and wait for reinforcements. Reports on naval forces on the Delaware. Asks for more general officers. Recommends Brigadier General Alexander McDougall for promotion. Urges speedy completion of inquiry into Major General Arthur St. Clair. Reports...
41From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you the Inclosed Letter from Govr Franklin which came this Minute by Express. As Mr Franklin was confined by order of Congress, I could not think myself at liberty to answer him on the subject of his request and therefore have referred it to their consideration. At the same time I would observe his situation is distressing and must interest All our feelings,...
42From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency the Copy of a Letter I have just received from Sir Guy Carleton, informing me of his having given orders for the evacuation of Penobscott. Congress having come to no determination with respect to a Peace Establishment, and the few Troops remaining in Service being on a precarious footing liable to be discharged at every moment, are reasons,...
43From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Colo. Conway, an Irish Gentleman, in the service of France, who came passenger, in the Amphitrite and was introduced to me Yesterday, by a Letter from Mr Deane & One from Genl Heath, Copies of which are transmitted. This Gentleman waits on Congress, to obtain an appointment in the Army of the States, & from Mr Dean’s recommendation, is an Officer of merit. He...
44From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you on the 12th instant on the subject of the Militia under the command of Genl Newcomb, I have recd another letter from him which you have enclosed. By this it appears that the Men were not employed in any way while they were at Red Bank, and that they are now anxious to get home to their farms as they see no immediate occasion of their Services—As I had in some measure put...
45From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Captain Manly of the Lee Armed Schooner has taken & sent into Beverly, two prizes Since I Last wrote you (which was the 7th instant) one of them is the ship Jenny, Captain Forster who Left London late in October, he has, very unfortunatly, thrown all his paper over board; is not yet arrived at Camp, if he does, before I close this, I will Let you Know what information I get from him; his...
46From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening, I received a Letter from Genl Schuyler of the 1st Inst., a Copy of which and of its Inclosures, I do myself the Honor of transmitting you. By these you will perceive, that Our affairs, at the Northward, have experienced no change for the better; On the contrary, that they are in a more unpromising train. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Your Most Obedt servant...
47From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 24 January with sundry Resolves of Congress and a petition of Monsr Pellisiers inclosed. I am not the proper [person] to refer the Petition to as I am no judge of his merit as an Engineer, having never had an opportunity of seeing any of his performances. At any rate I do not see the necessity of appointing him or any other person principal Engineer at...
48From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
From the hours allotted to Sleep, I will borrow a few moments to convey my thoughts on sundry important matters to Congress. I shall offer them with that sincerety which ought to characterize a Man of candour; and with the freedom which may be used in giving useful information, without incurring the imputation of presumption. We are now as it were, upon the eve of another dissolution of our...
49From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not had the honor of any of your favs. since I wrote to you on the 14th instant. No material Alterations have happened in this quarter. The Enemy from every Account mean to make Brunswic their advanced post for this Winter, they are endeavouring to draw in all the Forage they can get, in the course of which they have daily Skirmishes with our advanced parties. But I think do what they...
50From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the honor of writing to you yesterday, I have had the satisfaction of seeing (and for a few Minutes conversing) with Mr Chase & Mr Carroll from Canada—their acct of our Troops, & the situation of Affairs in that department cannot possibly surprize you more than it has done me. but I need not touch upon a subject which you will be so well informd of from the fountain head....