51From George Washington to John Hancock, 26 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 18 and 21st Instt by Mr Hooper, since which nothing material has Occurred. We are making every necessary preparation for taking possession of Dorchester Heights as soon as possible, with a view of drawing the Enemy out—How far our expectations may be answered, Time can only determine; But I should think, If any thing will Induce them to hazard an...
52From George Washington to John Hancock, 7–9 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 26 Ulto I had the honour of addressing you and then mentioned that we were making preparations for taking possession of Dorchester Heights. I now beg leave to Inform you, that a Council of General Officers having determined a previous Bombardment & Cannonade expedient and proper, in order to harrass the Enemy and divert their attention from that Quarter, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday...
53From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 7 & 9 Instant which I had the honor of addressing you, I mentioned the Intelligence I had received respecting the embarkation of the Troops from Boston & fully expected before this, that the Town wou’d have been entirely evacuated—Altho I have been deceived and was rather premature in the opinion I had then formed, I have little reason to doubt but the event will take place...
54From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest pleasure I inform you that on Sunday last, the 17th Instant, about 9 O’Clock in the forenoon, The Ministerial Army evacuated the Town of Boston, and that the Forces of the United Colonies are now in actual possession thereof. I beg leave to congratulate you Sir, & the honorable Congress—on this happy Event, and particularly as it was effected without endangering the...
55From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor to address you the 19th Instt upon the evacuation of the Town of Boston by the Ministerial army, I fully expected as their retreat and embarkation were hurried and precipitate, that before now they wou’d have departed the harbour, and been far in their passage to the place of destination: But to my surprize and disappointment the Fleet is still in Nantasket road. The...
56From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 11th Instt by Saturday Nights post, and must beg pardon for not acknowledging It in my last of the 24th: The hurry I was then in occasioned the neglect, and I hope will apologize for It. I now beg leave to inform you that I just received Intelligence, that the whole of the Ministerial Fleet besides three or four Ships, got under way this Evening at Nantasket road,...
57From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
An Express arrived here this Morning with a Letter from Governor Cooke of Rhode Island, of which the inclosed is a Copy. In consequence of this important intelligence, I immediately dispatch’d an Express after General Sullivan, who is on his March to Norwich with six Regiments and ordered him to file off to Providence if he should be so desir’d by Governor Cooke to whom I have wrote on the...
58From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will be deliver’d you by Jonathan Eddy Esq. the Gentlemen from Nova Scotia who I mention’d to you in mine of the 27th Ulto. He seem’d desirous of waiting on the Honorable Congress in Order to lay before them the state of public Affairs, and situation of the Inhabitants of that Province; and as it might be in his power to communicate many things personally, which could not be so...
59From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your favours of the 21st and 25 Ulto on the 2d Instant, the former by Mr Hanson &c.—the latter by Fessendon—I heartily wish the Money had arrived sooner, that the Militia might have been paid as soon as their time of Service expired —the disappointment has given them great uneasiness & they are gone Home much disattisfied, nor have I been without severe Complaints from the...
60From Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, 13 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives We have been here some Days waiting for General Schuyler’s Orders to proceed, which we have just received, and shall accordingly leave this Place to morrow. Tho’ by the Advices from Canada communicated by him to us, and as we suppose sent forward to you, I am afraid we shall be able to effect but little there. We had a heavy Snow here yesterday and the Waters are so...