31To George Washington from John Hancock, 22 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 30th of November and of the 4th 7th & 11 of December being duly received were laid before Congress. To prevent the ill consequences, that might ensue from the backwardness of the men in the present service to reinlist, the Congress, as I informed you in my last, have written to the governors of Connecticut & Rhode-island, the council of Massachusetts bay and the president...
32To George Washington from John Hancock, 6–21 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing you sundry resolutions passed yesterday respecting Mr Lowell. The Congress are desirous to know your opinion what rank it would be proper the aids de camp of the general Officers ought to hold in the army and on this head I am directed to write to you & request yr answer. Just after the receipt of your letter Conolly & Cameron were brought to town. By some...
33To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Captn F. Gurney has the Charge of conducting 500.000 dollars for the use of the army under your command I wish it safe to hand, I shall this evening dispatch an express to you with sundry matters of importance. I am Sr your obedient humble Servt LS , DLC:GW . Francis Gurney (1738–1815), a veteran of the French and Indian War who had become a successful merchant in Philadelphia, was...
34To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
In my former letter I mentioned the disagreeable news we received from Canada. The Congress have taken that matter under consideration and having examined Mr Antil and duly deliberated on the situation of our affairs in that quarter they have come to sundry resolutions which I have the honor to enclose. I would just observe that by Mr Antil’s examination it appears our loss is greater then...
35To George Washington from John Hancock, 29 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have received your letter of the 19th Instant, and highly commend your prudence and zeal in applying to the Governments of New Hampshire Massachusetts bay and Connecticut to raise forces for the service of Canada at this exigency. They have fond hopes by the zeal and alacrity of those Colonies troops will be forwarded with such expedition as will not only succour our friends but...
36To George Washington from John Hancock, 12 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of 24th & 30th ulto have been duly Rec’d, and laid before the Congress, are now with their severall Inclosures under the Consideration of a Committee, as soon as Report is made, I shall do myself the honour to Transmitt you the Result of Congress thereupon. I yesterday morng Rec’d an Express from General Lee, requesting an Augmentation of Troops, Congress immediately directed one...
37To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have had the Honour of receiving your Letters of the 24th and 30th of January 9th 14th 18th and 21st and 26th of February, which were communicated to Congress. On the Settlements and Adjustment of the Accounts, the Congress have not yet come to any Determination; nor have they yet had Time to contrive Expedients for remedying the Inconveniencies mentioned in that of the 9th...
38To 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...
39To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment honour’d with your favr of 13th by Express which I shall lay before Congress in the Morning; I expect immediately to be order’d to Dispatch the first Fessenden to you, when I shall have the honour to write you very particularly. This is only to Inform you that I have Sent Two hundred & Fifty Thousand Dollars for the use of the Army under your Command, to the Care of Thomas...
40To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of receiving, yesterday, yours of the 13th containing the agreeable Inform⟨atio⟩n of the ministerial Troops having abandoned Boston. The partial Victory we have obtained over them in that Quarter, I hope will turn out a happy Presage of a more general one. Whatever Place may be the Object of their Destination, it must certainly give a sincere Pleasure to every Friend of this...
41To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
It gives me the most sensible Pleasure to convey to you, by Order of Congress, the only Tribute, which a free People will ever consent to Pay; the Tribute of Thanks and Gratitude to their Friends and Benefactors. The disinterested and patriotic Principles which led you to the Field, have also led you to Glory: and it affords no little Consolation to your Countrymen to reflect, that, as a...
42To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have it in Charge from the Congress to Direct that Two Companies of Colonell Dayton’s Battalion of New Jersey Troops be Station’d at Cape May, for the protection of the Property and Navigation in that Quarter, and you will please to Issue the necessary Directions accordingly. I am Sir Your very hume servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 12A. In response to a petition written in behalf of...
43To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 24th and 27th of March, the 1t 4th and 15th Inst. I had the Honour of receiving in the Order of their Dates, by the last of which, I learn with Pleasure, that you had safely arrived at New York. The Dispositions you made to expedite the Embarkation of the Troops, were highly proper and judicious. Too much Dispatch cannot be used in sending the Battalions to Quebec;...
44To 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...
45To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 19th of April enclosing several Papers: all which were immediately laid before Congress. The important Intelligence they contain, makes it necessary that the most vigorous Measures should be adopted, as well to defend our Troops against the Canadians themselves, as to ensure Success to the Expedition. The Congress being determined on the...
46To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Deliver’d in Charge to Mr Hanson & Cox Three Hundred Thousand Dollars for the Service of the Army in Canada, & have directed them by order of Congress to Deliver the same to you, and am to Request you will please to order it to be Sent to General Schuyler at Albany under the Care of an Officer & some of the Troops destin’d for Canada to be Deliver’d General Schuyler. Your favrs of 22d &...
47To 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...
48To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having accepted the Resignation of the honorable James Warren as Paymaster General, have been pleased to appoint William Palfrey Esqr. to succeed him in that Department. I have wrote to Mr Warren to acquaint him that there are Superintendants of the Treasury appointed to whom he is to render his Accounts and Vouchers. I have also directed Mr Winthrop to deliver to Mr Palfrey all...
49To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
A vacancy having happend in the first New Jersey batallion by the promotion of lieutenant Colonel Winds, the Congress thought proper to elect Mr Ogden to supply his place. Lord Sterling in his letter of the 18th of March last, among other things, informed the Congress, that by this appointment Major de Hart and the batallion considered themselves “exceedingly hurt” and enclosing a memorial...
50To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you by Mr Palfrey on the 30th of last Month, I have not been honored with any Commands from Congress relative to your Letters, except the enclosed Resolve which I am ordered to forward to you. I have the Honour to be Sir your most obedt and very humble Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 12A. Hancock here struck out the words “under the Hand of the Secretary” on both copies...
51To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 5th and 7th Inst., which I had the Honour of laying before Congress. By the enclosed Resolves you will perceive the Sense of Congress upon some Parts of your Letters. The others are under the Consideration of different Committees. As soon as I am authorized, I will do myself the Pleasure of immediately transmitting the Result....
52To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have delivered in Charge to Captn Lenox and Co. four Hundred Thousand Dollars, contained in six Boxes, for the Use of the Troops in New York, and Massachusetts Bay. The particular Disposition of it with Regard to the latter of these Colonies, I cannot at present ascertain. I will therefore lay the Matter before Congress this Day, and inform you by tomorrow’s Post of the Result. The Secret...
53To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose you several Resolutions passed by the Congress, to which I beg Leave to refer you. The Congress being of Opinion, that it is necessary, as well for your Health, as the public Service, that you should embrace the earliest opportunity of coming to Philadelphia, have directed me to write to you, and request, that you will repair to Philada as soon as you can...
54To 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...
55To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry it is not in my Power to wait on you in Person to execute the Commands of Congress. But being deprived of that Pleasure by a severe Fit of the Gout, I am under the Necessity of taking this Method to acquaint you, That the Congress have directed me in their Name, to make the Thanks of that Body to you, for the unremitted Attention you have paid to your important Trust; and...
56To George Washington from John Hancock, 5–6 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having this Day made several Promotions in the Army of the United Colonies, and established some Rules for the future Direction of the Deputy Commissaries general, Deputy Quarter Master General &c. I do myself the Pleasure to enclose you a Copy of the same. I have delivered Col. Reed his Commission, and have sent Mr Whitecom Mr Mercer, and Mr Moyland theirs. Should you stand in...
57To 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...
58To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Letters of 7th 8th and 9th Instant. The two first I have read in Congress. We have been two Days in a Committee of the Whole deliberating on three Capital Matters, the most important in their Nature of any that have yet been before us; & have sat till 7 O’Clock in the Evening each Day. That not being finished I judged best to return the Express. I shall press Congress...
59To 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...
60To George Washington from John Hancock, 14–16 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely happy to have it in my Power to assure you that the several Matters referred to Congress in your Letters, will receive a speedy Determination. With great Pleasure I shall transmit you the Result, as soon as I am ordered. I enclose to you, at this Time, sundry important Resolves, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention. You will there perceive that Congress have ordered 9000...
61To 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...
62To 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...
63To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter on the 18th Inst. I have Nothing further in Charge from Congress that particularly relates to yourself, or the Army immediately under your Command. I have wrote to the Conventions of the Jerseys and New York, and to the Assembly of Connecticut on the Subject of the Resolve, Inclos’d in my last and have pressed them to a Compliance with the Request therein contained. Mr Bedford...
64To George Washington from John Hancock, 21–22 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having the greatest Reason to believe there has been very gross Misconduct in the Management of our Affairs in Canada, have come to a Resolution to have a general Enquiry made into the Behaviour of the Officers employed on that Expedition. The Honour of the United Colonies, and a Regard for the Public Good, call loudly for such an Enquiry to be set on Foot. I am therefore directed...
65To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 21st Inst. by Mr Bennet with the Enclosure were duely received and laid before Congress, as you will perceive by the enclosed Resolves, to which I beg Leave to request your Attention. Altho the Commissioners have undoubtedly mistaken the Intention of Congress, yet the Terms, in which The Resolve is conceived, viz. “That the General be empow[e]red to employ in Canada a Number...
66To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of transmitting in Obedience to the Commands of Congress, and to which I beg Leave to request your Attention, that they have come to a Resolution to augment the Number of Troops, destined for the Northern Department, four Thousand. It is scarcely necessary to mention the Motives on which they acted, or to explain the...
67To George Washington from John Hancock, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of transmitting sundry Resolves, respecting the further Augmentation of the Continental Forces. The Congress have thought it expedient, to order a German Battalion to be raised, as soon as possible, to be employed in such Manner, as will be most likely, to defeat the Designs of our Enemies, and to promote the Cause of American Liberty. Your Favour of the 27th Inst. with...
68To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by the Express on Saturday last, since which nothing has Occurr’d worthy your Notice —The sole Reason of Troubling you with this is to Acquaint you that in Consequence of your orders to Capt. Peters he proceeded with Major Rogers to this City, & Call’d on me Saturday last, & in the Evening of that day I Reliev’d him of his Charge, & put Major Rogers under Guard at the Barracks,...
69To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Monsr Antoine Felis Wiebert, a French Gentleman, who brings such ample Recommendation of his Skill, as an Engineer, that the Congress are desirous of having him placed in a Situation, where he may have it in his Power, to shew it. And, indeed, this is all he requests himself; being very willing, after his Abilities shall be put to the Trial, that his future...
70To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, to which I must beg Leave to refer your Attention, will inform you of the Steps Congress have taken to establish the flying Camp. To the unhappy Confusions, that have prevailed in this Colony, must principally be ascribed the Delays that have hitherto attended that salutary Measure. However I flatter myself Things will now take a different Turn, as the Contest to keep...
71To 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,...
72To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of enclosing sundry Resolves of Congress, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention, and which are so explicit, that I need not enlarge. In obedience to the Commands of Congress, I have wrote to Generals Schuyler & Gates and have recommended a mutual Confidence, and Harmony in their military operations. Their joint Labour & Exertions are requisite in that Quarter; nor...
73To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter from Mr Ephraim Anderson, I am directed to transmit by Order of Congress. As Mr Anderson appears to be an ingenious Man, and proposes to destroy the British Fleet at New York, the Congress are willing to give him an Opportunity of trying the Experiment, and have therefore thought proper to refer him to you. The Event only can shew, whether his Scheme is visionary, or...
74To George Washington from John Hancock, 11 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to inform you, that your several Letters to this Time, have been duely received in the Order of their Dates. I now enclose sundry Resolves, to which I must beg Leave to request your Attention. Agreeable to the Resolve herewith transmitted, I have enclosed Mr Anderson’s Letter to you, and wrote you on the Subject. He will present you the Letter himself. The Postmaster...
75To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 10th Inst:—and to acquaint you, that it is now under the Consideration of Congress. The enclosed Resolves I do myself the Honour to transmit, as necessary for your Information. I have wrote to General Schuyler, and the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, respecting the same. In obedience to the Commands of Congress, I have enclosed you two...
76To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
In perusing the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of transmitting, you will perceive, your Letters of the 11th & 12th Inst: have been received, and laid before Congress; and that in Consequence thereof, they have taken such Measures, as are calculated to expedite the raising the Flying Camp, & to furnish them with Articles of the greatest Use and Necessity. I have wrote to...
77To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to forward the foregoing Resolves. By to morrow’s Post I hope to write you on the Subject of all your Letters which remain unanswer’d. I have the honr to be Your very hume sevt Your favr 14th just Rec’d. ALS , DLC:GW . This note is written at the end of the three resolutions of 15 July which were copied from the minutes of Congress and signed by its secretary Charles Thomson....
78To 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...
79To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Mr Griffin delivered me your letter of the 4th with the packets, which I have laid before Congress. No resolution is taken in consequence thereof, nor has any thing new Occurred since my last, except the Inclos’d Resolves. I have the honour to be Sr Your obedt humble Servt LS , DLC:GW . Hancock is referring to GW’s letter to him of 15 July which was laid before Congress on this date ( JCC...
80To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
My Earnestness to convey to you as soon as possible, the Intelligence this Moment received from South Carolina, on which I most sincerely congratulate you, I am confident, will apologize for my not adding more, than to tell you, that enclosed you will find the Copy of General Lee’s Letter, and the Account from the Deserters who escaped after the Action. I am loth to hinder the Express one...