1To Benjamin Franklin from John Hancock, 30 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I beg leave to introduce to your Excellcy Mr. DeValnais the bearer, late Consul of France, here; who is going home wth his lady. I take the Freedom to refer your Excellcy, to this Gentleman, for the particulars relative to the present Scituation of Affairs in America after so advantagious a Settlement of Peace, with which, I in the most cordial manner...
2To Benjamin Franklin from John Hancock, 28 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Delaware I had the honour of your Letter, with Copies of the Intercepted Letters from Lord George Germain, and could wish that he was this moment Acquainted with the Real State of Affairs on this Continent, he would from thence be fully Convinc’d that all his plans & prospects as to America are at an End— I most heartily Congratulate you on the Success of our Arms &...
3To Benjamin Franklin from John Hancock, 27 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I have already written to you by this Opportunity, the Occasion of my Troubling you again, is at the last moment of the Departure of the Frigate to Solicit your Notice & Civilities to Mr. William Knox, who will have the Honor of Delivering this to you, he is Brother to General Knox whose Abilities & Conduct in the Military Line during this Contest has...
4To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s several Letters have come duly to hand, & as early as receiv’d were laid before the Assembly, & in Consequence of their Decisions your Requisitions were carried into Effect. The Powder, Mortars, Cannon &c. were with all possible Expedition sent forward, & the means of Transportation furnish’d by this Government. In one of your late Letters you mention that you had requested...
5To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colonel John Ashley and Brigr General Warner a Committee Appointed by the General Court to take charge of a Sum of Money in Specie granted by a Resolve of the 15th Ulto as a Gratuity to the Non Commiss[i]ond Officers and Soldiers belonging to the Massachusetts Line of the Army, will wait upon your Excellency with this Letter and I have it in Charge by a Resolution of the General Court (which...
6To George Washington from John Hancock, 22 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Assembly of this Commonwealth have taken every measure they could devise for Expediting the supplies of Provisions so necessary for the support of the Army, the Conduct of this Business they placed in the hands of three Gentlemen of acknowledg’d Abilities whose constant residence, for the sake of Dispatch, is at Springfield, & by whose Information it appears that they are forwarding the...
7To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I should very frequently have done myself the honor of Writing to your Excellency since the Close of our Correspondence on my leaving Congress, could I have prevailed upon myself to have drawn your Attention from your weighty Concerns, and am confident my Silence will not be attributed to any other cause. I am now called upon by the free Suffrages of my Fellow Citizens to take an active part...
8To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
When the Letter you did me the Honour to Address to me arriv’d, I was absent from Town, but it was Sent to me, and I immediately order’d the Inclosure to be deliver’d to Monr L’ombe [La Colombe], which he Rec’d, and it went by the French Frigate which Sail’d 15th Inst. It will ever give me the greatest Satisfaction to merit your Notice, & whenever I may in any Degree be Serviceable to you or...
9To Benjamin Franklin from John Hancock, 13 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Maine Historical Society I am reduc’d to the last moment of the Departure of the Ship, that I have only Time to Solicit your Notice of Mr. William Cooper Son of Mr. Wm. Cooper of this Town, and Nephew of the Revd. Docr. Cooper; he is on board the Boston Frigate; if you can Devise any mode of effecting his promotion in the Service, or fix him in any place of tolerable Emolument, it would...
10To Benjamin Franklin from John Hancock, 9 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My ill State of health oblig’d me to leave Congress for a time, in hopes that a Journey and Relaxation might be beneficial. I have much Recover’d, and shall in a few weeks attend my Duty in Congress. I hope this will meet you in the full enjoyment of Health. We wish much to hear the State of Affairs in Europe. Mr. William Vernon Son of Mr. Vernon one of the...
11To John Adams from John Hancock, 2 February 1778 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Hancock’s Compliments to Mr. Adams. The Inclos’d Letter from the Baron De Kalb he Received under Cover. Mr. Hancock would have been exceedingly Glad to have Seen Mr. Adams at his house at any time when he has been in Town, and had Mr. Hancock have known when he was in Town he should have Sent to him; if Mr. Adams should Come to Town on Wednesday next, and it would be agreeable to him to...
12To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duely honoured with your Favours of the 18th and 21st and immediately laid them before Congress; from whom I have it in Charge to forward the enclosed Resolves, with a Request that you will pay that Attention to them which they require. You will recieve herewith two Bundles of Commissions, which I should have forwarded sooner, had I not been prevented from signing them, by a severe...
13To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was duely honoured with your Favour of the 22d and am much obliged by the Expressions of Politeness & Friendship which it contains. A few Months Relaxation will, I hope, restore my Health and Constitution, and enable me still to contribute my feeble Efforts, in some Mode or other, to the Advancement of the Cause of Freedom in America. If I should not return to Congress, it will be the Height...
14To Thomas Jefferson from John Hancock, 25 October 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
I Had the honour to Receive your obliging favor by Mr. Harvey, with Forty seven Dollars, being an additional Donation of the County of Albemarle for relieving the poor of Boston which shall be faithfully applied to their Benefit. My constant application to Publick Business both in and out of Congress, has so impair’d my Health, that some Relaxation has become absolutely necessary, and to...
15To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to forward the enclosed Resolves in Obedience to the Commands of Congress, and shall only refer your Attention to them. I congratulate you on the Success of our Arms in the Northern Department. Lest you should not have recieved an Account of the Particulars from Genl Gates, I do myself the Pleasure to forward you a Copy of his Letter to Congress together with the...
16To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is now above Two years since I have had the Honour of Presiding in Congress, and I should Esteem myself happy to have it in my Power to render further Service to my Country in that Department; but the decline of Health occasion’d by so long & unremitting an Application to the Duties of my Office both in Congress and out of Congress, join’d to the Scituation of my own private Affairs, have...
17To George Washington from John Hancock, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duely honored with your several Favours of the 7th 8th and 10th continued to the 11th in the Order of their respective Dates, and immediately laid them before Congress. I have ordered one Thousand Copies of the Resolves relative to putting a Stop to any Intercourse between the Enemy in Philada and the disaffected among us, to be printed at Lancaster, and to be forwarded thence to...
18To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Hancock, 13 Oct. 1777. GW wrote Hancock on 16 Oct. : “I have been duly honoured with your Favors of the 12th & 13th Instant.”
19To George Washington from John Hancock, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing in Charge from Congress at this Time, but to transmit the enclosed Resolves, and to request your Attention to them. The Information that the Enemy have at different Times compelled our Troops who are Prisoners with them to labour, and that a Number are at this Time actually engaged in throwing up some Works at and near Kengsington, is of such a Nature that Congress think it...
20To George Washington from John Hancock, 9 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The absolute Necessity of cutting off all Supplies and Intelligence from the Enemy in and near the City of Philada and thereby preventing any Intercourse between them and the disaffected in the State of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, has induced the Congress to adopt the enclosed Resolves, in Hopes, if possible to put an effectual Stop to a Practice so extremely dangerous to the Cause of America....
21To George Washington from John Hancock, 9 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is with the highest Pleasure I comply with the Order of Congress in conveying to you the enclosed Resolve expressing the Thanks of that Body to you for the wise and well concerted Attack upon the Enemy near Germantown on the 4th Inst: and also to the Officers and Soldiers for their brave Exertions on that Occasion: And I must request you will communicate to them, this distinguished Mark of...
22To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit you the inclosed Resolves relative to the Commissary General’s Department, and sundry other Subjects, to which I shall only refer your Attention. I forward likewise, agreeably to the Order of Congress, a Copy of a Letter from Genl Putnam, by which you will perceive he apprehends an Attack is meditated against the Post at Peeks Kill, & the other Defences on...
23To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my departure from Philadelphia, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favrs to 23d Inst.—I met the Congress on Saturday last at Lancaster, & upon consultation it was judged most prudent to adjourn to this place, where we now are, & where we can deliberate & prosecute business without interruption, & where your dispatches will meet us. I have just now receiv’d by general Gates’s Aid...
24To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Arriv’d last Eveng at this place, where I was honour’d with your Letter of 23d Inst. which I shall lay before Congress as soon as the whole of the Members arrive here which I Expect will be this Day. The Inclos’d Letters for Commodore Hazelwood & Capt. Alexander, the Marine Committee judg’d best to forward, at least to induce them to Exert themselves to the last, they are left open for your...
25To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I was duely honoured with your Favour of yesterday, and this Day communicated the same to Congress. A few Minutes ago I received a Letter by Express from Genl Dickinson (a Copy of which I enclose) covering one to you, which I also forward. A certain Joseph Burns of Chester County, who had been sent out by Genl Wayne to reconnoitre the Situation of the Enemy, has this Moment called...
26To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit the enclosed Resolves, conveying the most extensive Powers to you, in Order that the Army under your Command may be more effectually supplied with Provisions and other Necessaries; & that the same may be prevented from falling into the Hands of the Enemy. The Congress have likewise empowered you to suspend all Officers for Misbehaviour, and to fill up all...
27To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to enclose you the Resolves of Congress passed yesterday and to request your Attention to them. As I am not acquainted with the Name of Count Polaski, I must beg you will give orders for his Commission to be made out; and delivered to him. As he is at Head Quarters, it may be done with Exactness by consulting him as to his Name and Titles. Your Favour of yesterday I was duely...
28To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment Rec’d a Note from Genl Dickinson desiring the Inclos’d Letter from him might be Sent to you by Express; he Judges the Enemy’s Force in Jersey to be 4000 strong. I will not Detain the Express longer than just to Inclose you the Resolution of Congress submitting to you the Execution of the Resolve respectg General Sullivan. Your favr of this Day I have just Rec’d; I am with...
29To George Washington from John Hancock, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just Rec’d by Express a Letter from General Dickinson at Trenton, the Subject is of such importance that I Judged proper to Transmit you a Copy by Express, which is Inclos’d & to which I beg leave to Refer you. Your favr by the Return Express I Rec’d & shall lay before Congress this morng. I have the honour to be Sir Your most Obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Hancock franked the addressed...
30To George Washington from John Hancock, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just Rec’d your Letter of this Day’s Date, & have forwarded on the Dispatches you inclos’d. The Resolution inclos’d has this moment pass’d Congress respecting Major General Sullivan, to which I must beg leave to Refer you. I Transmit you a Letter I have just Rec’d for you, and also Coppies of several Letters Rec’d this day from General Gates. I am with much respect, Sir Your most Obedt...
31To George Washington from John Hancock, 12 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with yours by the Express —I am sorry for the unfortunate Issue of the Day, but from the Troops keeping up their Spirits, I flatter myself it will still be in our Power to retrieve the Loss of yesterday. I have thought proper, in Consequence of the Intelligence received this Morning, to call the Congress together at six O’Clock. I have the Honour to be, with the...
32To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The great Desire of Congress to be informed of the Movements and Positions of the two Armies as early as possible, at this critical and important Period, has induced them to pass the enclosed Resolve, to which I shall only refer your Attention. Your Favour of yesterday I was honoured with last Night. With warmest Wishes, that Victory and Success may attend you, and that the Campaign may...
33To George Washington from John Hancock, 9 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit at this Time Copies of two several Letters from Governor Livingston and Genl du Coudray to Congress. As Govr Livingston seems apprehensive of an Irruption from the Enemy on Staten Island, and says they are collecting there for this Purpose; the Congress have directed Genl Putnam to hold in Readiness fifteen Hundred Men under the Command of a Brigadier, to cross...
34To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive from the enclosed Resolves, that Congress, desirous of reinforcing the Army at this critical Period, have recommended to the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey to order out immediately a considerable Part of their Militia; and I have no Doubt of their Compliance. I have wrote to Govr Livingston on the Subject, and informed him that should he think proper to appoint Genl...
35To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing in Charge from Congress at this Time, but to transmit the enclosed Resolves, to which I must refer your Attention. General Sullivan’s Expedition on Staten Island having ended in the Loss and Defeat of a considerable Number of the Troops under his Command; the Congress have directed a Court of Enquiry to be instituted relative to the Expedition. You will please to order Colonel...
36To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your several Favours to the 30th ulto (inclusive) I have had the Honour of receiving in the Order of their Dates. From the enclosed Resolves you will perceive, the Congress have appointed a Committee to collect and arrange the Evidence relative to the Evacuation of Ticonderoga, which will be afterwards transmitted to you, that a Court Martial may be thereupon instituted for the Trial of the...
37To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit you the enclosed Resolves which Congress have passed at this critical Period, with a View to have the disaffected in the States of Pennsylvania and Delaware immediately apprehended and secured. I shall forward Copies of them to those States with the utmost Expedition, that a Measure of such Consequence may be carried into Execution as soon as possible. I have only...
38To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a Return Express, this moment Rec’d from the Northern Departmt the Inclos’d Letter for your Excellency —I inclose you Copy of Genl Gates’s Letter to me, in which he mentions Genl Schuyler’s having wrote me particularly, but I have not a Line from him unless one should be Inclos’d in your packett; should that not be the case, & you should have any material Intelligence, I shall be much...
39To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment honored with your Favour of yesterday by the Return Express. Considering the Necessity of strengthening the Army under your Command, and of giving all possible Opposition, to the Enemy, the Congress have come to the inclosed Resolves, Copies of which I shall forward in a few Minutes by Express to the sevl States with the utmost Expedition. I beg Leave to refer your Attention...
40To George Washington from John Hancock, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your several Favours—by Colonel Hamilton—by Lieutenant Ewing—and also of the 21st Inst. I have had the Honour of receiving in the Order of their respective Dates. The Congress having had your Letter and the Proceedings of a Council of War under Consideration, highly approve the same, and have come to the enclosed Resolution to the Subject, to which I beg Leave to refer you. Since my last, we...
41To George Washington from John Hancock, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment an Express is Arriv’d from Maryland with an Accott of near Two hundred Sail of Mr Howe’s Fleet being at Anchor in Chesapeak Bay, a Copy of the Letter brought by the Express I inclose you, & to which I Refer you —In consequence of this Advice Congress have order’d the immediate Removal of all the Stores & Prisoners from Lancaster & York in this State to places of greater Safety....
42To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon the Resignation of Mr Philips as Commissary of Hydes, the Congress have been pleased to appoint Mr George Ewing in his Place, who is ordered to carry into Execution the Plan you have proposed; which I make no Doubt he will do with Application and Success. Your Favour of yesterday I had the Honour of receiving with the Inclosures from General Schuyler, and am extremely pleased to hear that...
43To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Complaints of the Want of Men to the Northward, are so great & urgent, that Congress, with a View of affording them some Assistance, have come to the enclosed Resolve; by which you will percieve, it is their Desire that five Hundred Rifle-men, under the Command of an active Officer, should be immediately sent into that Department, to oppose the Incursions of the Indians. Your Favour of the...
44To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this moment called out of Church by the arrival of an Express, with a letter informing of a large fleets being seen of Senapuxon, Copy of the letter I enclose you pr Express, should I hear any thing further I shall immediately advise you of it. I have the honour to be, with sincere respect & esteem. Your most obedt & very hble Servt LS , DLC:GW . This letter is addressed in part to GW at...
45To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday’s Date, with its Inclosures from General Schuyler I duly Rec’d, & laid before Congress. We have no kind of News, nor have I any thing in Charge from Congress to communicate, further than to Inclose you several Resolutions of Congress, to which I Beg leave to Refer you, and am with the utmost Esteem, Sir Your very hume Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions,...
46To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have it in Charge from Congress to inform you, that they have this Day appointed General Gates to the Command of the Army in the Northern Department, and to direct, that you immediately order him to repair to that Post —Any Instructions that may be necessary, shall be sent after him with the utmost Expedition. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Respect Sir your most obed. & very hble...
47To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Inclos’d Resolves have just pass’d Congress, to which I beg leave to Refer you, and am with much Esteem Sir Your most Obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions of this date all relate to the northern department. The first resolution directs GW to appoint a general officer to replace Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler as commander of the northern department. The second resolution requests...
48To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to Inclose you sundry Resolutions of Congress, to which beg leave to Refer you. I have the honour to be Sir Your very hum. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions, passed between 29 July and 1 Aug. 1777, concern a variety of matters related to the military and to the defense of Philadelphia. Resolutions of 29 and 30 July, and 1 Aug., order an inquiry into the...
49To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
An Express having this moment Arriv’d from Cape May with a Letter, Copy of which I have the honour to Inclose you, by which it appears that the Fleet which was suppos’d to be destin’d for the Delaware had stood off & Steer’d to the Eastward. I thought proper to Transmit this Intelligence to you by Express, & will not detain him further than to Assure you that I am with the utmost respect, Sir...
50To George Washington from John Hancock, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
An Express this Moment arrived with a Letter from Genl Rodney a Copy of which I enclose agreeably to your Request in your Favour of yesterday which came to Hand last Night. The Enemy by this Intelligence are in the Offing of the Capes, and the Wind was fair yesterday for their coming up this Bay. I shall send likewise to Lord Stirling a Copy of the enclosed immediately. I am Sir with the...