31From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Du Coudray has lain before me a plan of the river, by which it appears, that, for a considerable space between the two sand banks on the East side of Fort-Island, there is from four to four and a half fathom’s depth of water. According to this representation, there would be room for three frigates to lie between those banks, in such a position, as to enfilade the works at Fort-Island, and...
32From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the Honor of your favor of the 24th with Its inclosures. No Letters came for you from Genl Schuyler, and therefore, agreable to your request, I transmit you a Copy of the One I received from him, and of the material papers, which it covered. Among the Copies, you will find Genl Burgoyn’s instructions at large to Lt Colo. Baum, pointing out the Objects of his Command, when he...
33From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
My Conjecture of the Destination of the late Squadron from Boston in my last has been unhappily verified by an Outrage exceeding in Barbarity & Cruelty every hostile Act practised among civilized Nations. I have inclosed the Account given me by Mr Jones a Gentleman of the Town of Falmouth of the Destruction of that increasing & flourishing Village. He is a very great Sufferer & informs me that...
34From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will be informed by B. Genl De Choisey, who does me the Honor to be the Bearer of this, that the Marquis De Vaudruiel, with a fleet of his most Christian Majesty’s Ships of War, may be soon expected in the Harbour of Boston. By a Correspondence which has passed between the Marquis & the Count de Rochambeau (a Copy of which I have been favored with by the latter) I am informed...
35From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your favor of the 31st Ulto on Friday with Its several Inclosures, and return you my thanks for the agreable Intelligence you were pleased to communicate of the arrival of One of our Ships with such valuable Articles as Arms & Ammunition: also of the Capture made by a privateer. The mode for the Exchange of Prisoners resolved on by Congress, is acceded to by Genl Howe so...
36From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit Congress a Copy of a Letter covering Copies of other papers, which I received yesterday Evening from Genl Sullivan. The Intelligence communicated by him, is pleasing and Interesting, and such as must afford the greatest satisfaction, If the conduct the Canadians have discovered since his arrival among them, is Ingenuous & sincere. His Account is contrasted by...
37From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday Evening honored with yours of the 14th. I have heard nothing from the Northward since my last. I this day recd Advice from Staten Island that on Sunday Seventy sail of the Enemy’s Ships fell down from the watering place to the Hook but whether they have since gone out to Sea, I have not heard. Till I have more certain information of the State of our Affairs to the Northward,...
38George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Pennypackers Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 7, 1777 . Reports American losses at Germantown and estimates British losses. Intends to rest the men and wait for reinforcements. Reports on naval forces on the Delaware. Asks for more general officers. Recommends Brigadier General Alexander McDougall for promotion. Urges speedy completion of inquiry into Major General Arthur St. Clair. Reports...
39From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you the Inclosed Letter from Govr Franklin which came this Minute by Express. As Mr Franklin was confined by order of Congress, I could not think myself at liberty to answer him on the subject of his request and therefore have referred it to their consideration. At the same time I would observe his situation is distressing and must interest All our feelings,...
40From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Colo. Conway, an Irish Gentleman, in the service of France, who came passenger, in the Amphitrite and was introduced to me Yesterday, by a Letter from Mr Deane & One from Genl Heath, Copies of which are transmitted. This Gentleman waits on Congress, to obtain an appointment in the Army of the States, & from Mr Dean’s recommendation, is an Officer of merit. He...
41From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you on the 12th instant on the subject of the Militia under the command of Genl Newcomb, I have recd another letter from him which you have enclosed. By this it appears that the Men were not employed in any way while they were at Red Bank, and that they are now anxious to get home to their farms as they see no immediate occasion of their Services—As I had in some measure put...
42From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Captain Manly of the Lee Armed Schooner has taken & sent into Beverly, two prizes Since I Last wrote you (which was the 7th instant) one of them is the ship Jenny, Captain Forster who Left London late in October, he has, very unfortunatly, thrown all his paper over board; is not yet arrived at Camp, if he does, before I close this, I will Let you Know what information I get from him; his...
43From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening, I received a Letter from Genl Schuyler of the 1st Inst., a Copy of which and of its Inclosures, I do myself the Honor of transmitting you. By these you will perceive, that Our affairs, at the Northward, have experienced no change for the better; On the contrary, that they are in a more unpromising train. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Your Most Obedt servant...
44From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 24 January with sundry Resolves of Congress and a petition of Monsr Pellisiers inclosed. I am not the proper [person] to refer the Petition to as I am no judge of his merit as an Engineer, having never had an opportunity of seeing any of his performances. At any rate I do not see the necessity of appointing him or any other person principal Engineer at...
45From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
From the hours allotted to Sleep, I will borrow a few moments to convey my thoughts on sundry important matters to Congress. I shall offer them with that sincerety which ought to characterize a Man of candour; and with the freedom which may be used in giving useful information, without incurring the imputation of presumption. We are now as it were, upon the eve of another dissolution of our...
46From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not had the honor of any of your favs. since I wrote to you on the 14th instant. No material Alterations have happened in this quarter. The Enemy from every Account mean to make Brunswic their advanced post for this Winter, they are endeavouring to draw in all the Forage they can get, in the course of which they have daily Skirmishes with our advanced parties. But I think do what they...
47From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the honor of writing to you yesterday, I have had the satisfaction of seeing (and for a few Minutes conversing) with Mr Chase & Mr Carroll from Canada—their acct of our Troops, & the situation of Affairs in that department cannot possibly surprize you more than it has done me. but I need not touch upon a subject which you will be so well informd of from the fountain head....
48From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I find myself arrived at that period, at which I hoped to have seen the Batallions of the several States compleated to their Establishment, in conformity to the requisition of Congress of the 19th Decr last. The inclosed returns of Recruits, which I have caused to be made up to the 1st Instant, will shew how totally short of my expectation the exertions of the States, have fallen—from your...
49From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you of my arrival here Yesterday and that the whole of the Troops belonging to the States which lay South of Hudsons River and which were in New York Government have passed over to this side, except the Regiment lately Colo. Smalwoods, which I expect is now on their march. That they may be ready to check any incursions the Enemy may attempt in this Neighbourhood, I...
50From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on Monday Nothing of Importance has Occurred here, Except that the Enemy have received an Augmentation to their Fleet of Ninety Six Ships—some Reports make them more: In a Letter I wrote you Yesterday by Lieutt Colo. Reed, I advised you of this, but presuming It may not reach you so soon as this will, I have thought proper to mention the Intelligence...
51From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
No military Operation of any consequence has occurred since I had the honor of writing to you last, except, that on Sunday, I recd information that the Enemy were advancing in a manner, and in numbers so much greater than usual, that it look’d like a prelude to an Attack upon our posts, which were immediately put in the best preparation to receive them. It turned out to be only a stronger...
52From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to transmit you a General Return of the Forces in Jersey. It is regimentally digested and will shew the strength of each Corps. I should not have sent it so particularly made out, had I not conceived the conveyance, by which it goes from hence, entirely secure. I have nothing material to add respecting the Enemy. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Most...
53From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Letter from the Commissary General of provisions & the information you will receive from Majr Hoops will convince Congress of the distress & confusion prevailing in that Department. Without something is done in aid of Mr Trumbull immediately, this Army must be disbanded—If the present difficulties continue, it is impossible it can exist. I entreat Congress to take the...
54From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you a Copy of my Letter to Genl Howe of the 16th Instant, proposing an Exchange between Genls Lee and Prescot. I dispatched it early the next morning and presume it got to hand on the 18th. As yet, I have not received his Answer. The amazing advantage the Enemy derive from their Ships and the command of the Water, keeps us in a State of constant perplexity and...
55From George Washington to John Hancock, 18–19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing of importance to transmit Congress, no Event in the Military line having happened since my last, except the Surprizing a Small picquet guard of the Enemy on Monday night at Bonam Town & bringing off Thirteen prisoners by One of our parties. An Enterprize of a similar nature was formed against that at Amboy, in which, the party sent to effect it did not succeed so well, though...
56From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Dr Skinner having been very urgent and pressing to go to Philadelphia, in order to procure medicine for the sick of his regiment, I could by no means refuse my assent to his proposition; By him I beg leave to inform you, that the applications of the Regimental Surgeons, are very frequent and importunate; & it is not in my power to satisfy their demands; their situation will be fully made known...
57From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with yours of this morning containing several peices of intelligence of the Fleet’s having been seen off the Capes of Virginia on the 15th instant. I shall in Consequence of this information halt upon my present ground till I hear something further. Colo. Pinkney of South Carolina paid me a Visit two days ago, he informed me that the Military Stores in Charles Town and...
58From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of this date. I heartily wish the Works on Delaware were compleated, but I think, and in this Opinion my Officers concur, that the service will be injured, if any part of the Continental Troops were now to be employed about ’em. If we should be able to oppose Genl Howe with success in the Feild, the Works will be unnecessary; If not, and he should force us...
59From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was just now honored with your Letter of the 9th Instant, covering Sundry Resolutions of Congress. Those for regulating the Hospital and medical department, I trust, will prove of the most salutary consequences. It is only to be regretted, that this necessary and liberal institution had not been gone into and compleated at an earlier period. The Honors Congress have decreed to the memory of...
60From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by the Chevalier de Kermorvan, and Monsieur de Vermonet—they are French Gentlemen just arrived in this Place, who have made Application to me, to be received into the Continental Service—They bring Letters to Dr Franklin and some other Gentlemen of the Congress—I suppose it will better appear from these Letters, than from any Information I can give, whether it will...