51To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 2 October 1776 . “The Bearer Major Ross calling on Me previous to his setting out for Head Quarters, I have only Time to enclose you sundry Resolves, and to inform you, that I shall write you fully by General Mifflin.” LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions of 25, 26, 27, 30 Sept. and 1 Oct. concern Congress’s actions on a variety of matters affecting the army, including James...
52To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Recieipt of your several Favours to the 27th Ulto. Your Letter of that Date, containing the very agreeable Intelligence of the Success of the Continental Arms under your Command, was last Night delivered to me by your Aid de Camp Colo. Baylor, together with the Hessian Standard. I entertain the most pleasing Expectation that our Affairs will henceforth assume a better...
53To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 12th 13th and 15th inst. in the Order of their respective Dates, and to inform you that they were duely laid before Congress. As Genl Lee by the Fortune of War, has become a Prisoner in the Hands of our Enemies, the Congress are anxious to afford him all the Relief in their Power during his Confinement. They have...
54To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Dispatches by Genl Mifflin, who arrived here on Sunday Evening, the Congress, the next Day, came to the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of forwarding in Obedience to their Commands. They will inform you of the Steps taken to reinforce your Army at this Juncture. The Urgency of Affairs, will, I trust, induce the Militia to exert themselves in a proper...
55To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress, for some Time past, have had their Attention occupied by one of the most interesting and important Subjects, that could possibly come before them, or any other Assembly of Men. Altho it is not possible to foresee the Consequences of Human Actions, yet it is nevertheless a Duty we owe ourselves and Posterity, in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner we are able,...
56The Massachusetts Delegates to George Washington, 22 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
In Complyance with your Request We have considered of what you proposed to us, and are obliged to give you our Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men; Such, whose Judgment and Integrity, may be most rely’d on; the Committee on the State...
57To George Washington from John Hancock, 11 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 9th of Feby. The congress have not yet come to any resolutions on your former Letters. The design of this is only to desire you to send Captain Morgan Connor of the riffle Batallion to Philada the Congress having occasion to employ him in the southern department. The Congress having promoted Edward Hand Esqr. to be colonel of...
58To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves relative to the Army, and therefore necessary for your Information, I have the Honour of transmitting at this Time; and beg Leave to refer your Attention to them. The Congress have finished the Commissary’s Department, and it is now in the Press. As soon as it is printed, I will forward sundry Copies for your Use. Your Favour of the 13th 14th & 15th Inst.; as also a Copy...
59To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 14th Inst: was duely received, and immediately laid before Congress. In obedience to their Commands, I do myself the Honour to forward sundry Resolves. The Congress being of Opinion, that a Quantity of Powder should be distributed thro’ the several Counties of New York and New-Jersey, I am to request, you will give Directions to have it lodged in the Hands of such Persons as...
60To 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...
61To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress apprehending that, in the present State of the Army, and Situation of our Affairs, an Exchange of Governor Franklin might be prejudicial, and attended with some bad Consequences, have been induced to come to the above Resolution, which I transmit by their Directions. I have the Honour to be, with the utmost Esteem & Respect, Sir your most obed. Sert Your favr of 3d Inst. just came...
62To George Washington from John Hancock, 11 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 10th Inst. containing the most interesting Intelligence was received this Day, and immediately laid before Congress. In Order to expedite the March of the Militia destined for New York, I have sent, by Order of Congress, Expresses to the several Colonies that are requested to furnish Troops for that Place. Copies of my Letters on the Occasion, I do myself the Pleasure to...
63To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honour of addressing you yesterday, the Congress have come to the enclosed Resolves, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention. General Schuyler, in Pursuance of the Orders of Congress, has dispatched Officers to forward the Troops to Head Quarters; and I am to request you will send some General Officer into the Eastern States, to hasten on the Troops already raised, to...
64To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
By order of Congress I have the Honour to forward you the Inclos’d Resolutions this moment come into. The suddeness of this order and your Zeal for the Service supercedes all necessity of Recommending this measure to your particular Notice, have only to Add that Congress leave the Appointment of the persons to you. A Variety of Business has Occurr’d, which has prevented a final Determination...
65To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr Jonathan Smith a gentlemen of this city who with two others is charged with 500.000 dollars for the use of the army under your command. I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient humble Servt I shall Dispatch an Express this Day to you by order of Congress in Consequence of your Letter of 28th ulto. LS , DLC:GW . The body of the letter is in Charles Thomson’s...
66To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by Express yesterday, and enclosed you all the Resolutions of Congress to that Time, since which Nothing has occurred. This will be handed you by Captain Bradford, who has in Charge the Money destined for the Army in Canada, three Boxes of Silver Dollars containing 21,725½, and three Boxes of Paper Dollars containing 187,000. I am to request you will please to discharge the...
67To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mrs Graydon of this City, a very worthy Lady, whose Anxiety to see her Son Captain Graydon, now a Prisoner with the Enemy, is so great, that Congress have been induced to consent to her having an Interview with him. I am therefore to request your Attention to the enclosed Resolve on the Subject, and that you will give Directions for having it carried into...
68To 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...
69To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing further in Charge from Congress at this Time, except the enclosed Resolve, founded upon Complaints which, if not immediately enquired into and redressed, must be productive of the most fatal Consequences to the Army. Nothing can so effectually lay the Foundation of Discontent, and of Course encourage a Spirit of Mutiny and Desertion among the Soldiers, as withholding their Pay...
70To George Washington from John Hancock, 9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour to forward, will inform you of the ample Provision the Congress have made for the Support of both Officer and Soldier who shall enter into the Service during the War. The Pay of the former is considerably increased, and the latter is to receive annually a compleat Suit of Cloaths, or in Lieu thereof, the Sum of twenty Dollars, should he...
71To George Washington from John Hancock, 28 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
By Direction of the Congress I now Transmitt you severall Resolutions pass’d yesterday, by which you will Observe they have Directed Major General Schuyler to Examine into the State of the Posts at Ticonderoga & Crown Point, and of the Troops Station’d there, as also to Enquire into the Disposition of the Canadians and Indians. You will likewise find they have Directed him to Take or Destroy...
72To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves will inform you of the Proceedings of Congress since my last. I have wrote to the Council of Massachusetts Bay on the Subject of the enclosed Resolve relative to an Attack on Nova Scotia, the Propriety of which the Congress have submitted to that State. You will please to inform Doctor Morgan, and likewise Doctor Stringer of their Dismission from the Service of these...
73To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last Nothing material has occurred here, nor have I any Thing in Charge from Congress, except to request you will negotiate an Exchange of the Hessian Prisoners at Elizabeth Town under the Care of Mr Ludwick as soon as possible. They have been treated in such a Manner during their Stay in this City, that it is apprehended, their going back among their Countrymen, will be attended with...
74To George Washington from John Hancock, 9–12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive from the enclosed Resolve, that Congress having reconsidered their Vote of the 14th Octr, have agreed to give the former Allowance of one Dollar & one Third of a Dollar to the Officers on the Reinlistment of every Soldier in the Camp. The compleating the Army being at present an Object of the utmost Importance, the Congress are desirous of adopting every Means in their Power,...
75To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I imagine this will meet you on the Road to this Place, I wave making any Mention of public Matters, except that it is the Wish of Congress, you would if consistent with the Good of the Service order one Battalion from New York to be posted at Amboy in the Jerseys agreable to the enclosed Resolve. Genl Gates arrived this Morning, soon after which I was honored with your Favour by Post which...
76To 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...
77To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter from the Commissioners in Canada, I am commanded by Congress to transmit to you. The Contents of it are truly alarming. Our Army in that Quarter is almost ruined for Want of Discipline, and every Thing else necessary to constitute an Army, or to keep Troops together. The Congress, in this Situation of our Affairs, have resolved that Genl Wooster be recalled from Canada. I...
78To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having at different Times passed sundry Resolves relative to a Variety of Subjects, I do myself the Honour to enclose you a Copy of the same, as necessary for your Information & Direction. The Resolve of the 12th respecting Colonel Trumbull, will I trust be satisfactory, & prove the Means of his continuing in an office of such Importance to the Army, and which he has hitherto...
79To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Hancock, 15 Oct. 1776. On 18 Oct. GW wrote to Hancock : “I was Yesterday morning honoured with your favor of the 15th.”
80To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Captn John Macpherson having informed the Congress, that he had invented a method, by which with their leave, he would take or destroy every ministerial armed vessel in North America, they appointed Govr Hopkins Mr Randolph & Mr J. Rutledge to confer with him on the subject, for he would not consent to communicate the secret to any but a committee & you. These Gentlemen reported, that the...
81To 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....
82To 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...
83To 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...
84To 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...
85To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to forward the enclosed Resolves. The Cartridges are on the Way, and I hope will arrive in Season. The Congress will be attentive to all your Requests. With Sentiments of Esteem and every Wish in your Favour I have the Honour to be Sir your most obed. & very hble Servt LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed copies of Congress’s resolutions of 14–16, 18, 21, and 23 Oct. concerning various...
86To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will see, from the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Pleasure of forwarding in Obedience to the Commands of Congress, that they have bent their whole Attention to our Affairs in Canada, and have adopted such Measures, as in their Opinion, are calculated to place them on a better and more reputable Footing for the future. The most unfortunate Death of General Thomas having made a...
87To George Washington from John Hancock, 6–7 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, which I have the Honour of transmitting, call for your immediate Attention; and I am to request, you will take Measures in Pursuance thereof, as soon as possible. Genl Lee’s Situation seems to be extremely dangerous and critical; and from Genl Howe’s Behaviour to him, it is highly probable, he will be brought to a Trial for Desertion. Genl Lee, it is said, by Mr Eustace...
88To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The polite Attention which your Goodness has induced you to pay to me and my private Affairs, particular[l]y while you were at Boston, makes me take the Liberty of requesting you to spare your Aid De Camp a few Days. If Mr Palfrey could, consistent with the Service, be permitted to pass two or three Days with me in this City, on Business of Importance to me, I shall esteem it a particular...
89To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having received information that you intended to Honor this State with a visit, and wishing personally to shew you every mark of attention which the most sincere friendship can induce. I beg the favor of your making my house the place of your residence while you shall remain in Boston. I could wish that the accommodations were better suited to a Gentleman of your respectability but you may be...
90To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves I do myself the Honour to transmit in Obedience to the Commands of Congress, as necessary for your Information. By them you will percieve, that in Order to restore the Credit of the Continental Currency, the Congress have adopted, & recommended to the States, such Measures, as if properly executed cannot fail to produce the Effect. Doctor Potts, who is ordered to repair...
91To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Upon considering your Letter of 4th August, the following Points appear’d so exceedingly important, that I am Directed to Desire you will Consult such of your Officers as you think proper, upon the most prudent & effectual Methods of Accomplishing them. These are the Continuation of the Army, now under your Command, in the Service of the Continent after the terms of Enlistment shall have been...
92To 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.”
93To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 18th, the Congress have come to the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of transmitting for your Information and Direction. They are so explicit as to require no Comment or Illustration. I have wrote, in Obedience to the Order of Congress, to the Council of Safety of this State, to request them to call forth immediately the Militia of the Counties of Cecil,...
94To 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...
95To 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...
96To 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...
97To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Pleasure to enclose, at this Time, sundry Resolves of Congress, relating principally to new Appointments and Promotions in the Army. The Return of Col: Elmores Regimt (which you will please to give Orders to join you) I now transmit, together with blank Commissions, to be filled up with the Names of such Officers as appear with their respective Companies in the Regiment. I...
98To 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...
99To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolve of Congress respecting the Rifle Battalions and independant Rifle Companies, would have been transmitted sooner, had it not been omitted through a Mistake. I do myself the Pleasure of forwarding at this Time several Resolves of Congress relative to such Parts of your Letters as have hitherto come under Consideration. I propose writing more fully by Mr Palfrey who will set...
100To 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...