1. The executive committee enclosed Congress’s resolution of 18 Feb. 1777 directing GW to inquire “into the military abilities and conduct of the French gentlemen in the army, and how far they can be usefully employed in the service of these States, and to dismiss such of them as he shall find unworthy of commissions, or unable to render service in the military line” (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 7:131). The executive committee also enclosed two other resolutions of Congress of the same date resolving to appoint additional major generals for the Continental army (see ibid., 132). For the letter transmitting these resolutions to the executive committee, see Hancock to Robert Morris, 23 Feb. in Smith, Letters of Delegates description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends , 6:350–51.

2. This letter has not been identified. The navy board for Philadelphia (the middle district) consisted of John Nixon, Francis Hopkinson, and John Wharton.