To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 August 1776
From John Hancock
Philada August 10th 1776. 6 oClock P.M.
Sir,
I am this Minute honoured with your Favour of the 8th and 9th inst: per Post. Having sent off an Express this Morning, at which Time, I forwarded Commissions for the General officers appointed yesterday by Congress, I shall not detain the Post to send the Commissions ordered by the enclosed Resolve.1 In the mean Time, you will please to direct the Persons to do such Duty as you shall think proper. Their Commissions shall be transmitted by the first opportunity.
I will lay your Letter before Congress on Monday Morning,2 and immediately inform you of the Result. I have the Honour to be, with every Sentiment of Respect Sir your most obed. & very hble Sert
John Hancock Presidt
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 12A.
1. After receiving a report from the Board of War, Congress on this date resolved that “Commissions be made out, & sent to General Washington, to be deliver’d to the several Officers, recommended in the list exhibited by the said board to fill the vacancies mention’d in said list, excepting those persons reccommended to fill the vacancies, Occasion’d by Officers being in Captivity, which ought not to be filled but to be left open, untill those Officers, shall be redeem’d, & Excepting the Case of Lieutenant Colonel Tyler, who is to have a Commission for Colonel of the Regiment, lately commanded by Colonel Parsons promoted: And that Lieutenant Colonel Durkee, have a Commission of Colonel of the 20th Regt, And that Major Prentice be made Lt Colo. of the Regiment, in which he is now Major, And Major Knolton Lieutenant Colonel of the 20th Regiment” (DLC:GW; see also , 5:644, and General Orders, 12 Aug.).
2. The following Monday was 12 Aug. (see , 5:647).