From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 September 1775
To John Hancock
Camp at Cambridge Sept. 30th 1775
Sir
The Revd Mr Kirtland the Bearer of this having been introduced to the Honle Congress can need no particular Recommendation from me: But as he now wishes to have the Affairs of his Mission & publick Employ put upon some suitable Footing, I cannot but intimate my Sense of the Importance of his Station, & the great Advantages which have & may result to the United Colonies from his Situation being made respectable.1
All Accounts agree that much of the favourable Disposition shewn by the Indians may be ascribed to his Labour & Influence. He has accompanied a Chief of the Oneidas to this Camp, which I have endeavoured to make agreeable to him both by Civility & some small Presents. Mr Kirkland being also in some Necessity for Money to bear his travelling Charges & other Expences I have supplied him with £32 lawful Money—I cannot but congratulate the Honourable Congress on the happy Temper of the Canadians & Indians our Accounts of which are now fully confirmed by some intercepted Letters from Officers in Canada to General Gage and others in Boston, which were found on Board the Vessel lately taken going into Boston with a Donation of Cattle & other fresh Provisions for the Ministerial Army.2 I have the Honour to be with great Respect & Regard Sir Your most Obedient Hbble Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Joseph Reed’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; LB, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC item 169; copy, NHi: Joseph Reed Papers; copy, NjMoHP; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 25 Oct. (, 3:304).
1. Samuel Kirkland had conferred with a committee of Congress in July and had received $300 for expenses incurred in dealing with the Six Nations and in traveling from and to the Oneida country. On 8 Nov. Congress appointed another committee to confer with Kirkland, and three days later the delegates resolved to pay him $113 for his past services, $288 8/9 (or £65 sterling) for support of himself and his family during the coming year while he continued his mission to the Oneida, and $266⅔ (or £60 sterling) to “promote the happiness of the Indians, and attach them to these colonies” (, 2:187–87, 3:336, 350–51).
2. For the capture of the brigantine Dolphin, see the Gloucester Committee of Safety to GW, 28 Sept. 1775.