31From John Adams to John Hancock, 2 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
This letter will be delivered you by M r: S. —a Gen t: who has lived sometime in my family at the Hague, in Paris & in London. He will inform you in what manner the late Navigation-Act of the Mass a: has been rec d. here— Some say it is a measure taken in a passion, & not well-weighed in the scales of reason—that we are ruining ourselves—that an act of Parliament will be passed to retaliate...
32To John Adams from John Hancock, 7 May 1788 (Adams Papers)
I Lodge this Letter with the Pilot at the Light House to deliver you, which will inform you that I have given him directions to hoist a Signal which will be known at the Castle, from whence I am to Receive Notice of your Arrival, & where I have Lodged orders to pay you every mark of distinction in my power when you pass the Fort— My Coach shall be at the end of the Long Wharff for the...
33George Washington to John Hancock, 12 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 12, 1777. Introduces Mauduit du Plessis and recommends his appointment as a captain of artillery. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. John Hancock was President of the Continental Congress. Thomas Antoine, Chevalier de Mauduit du Plessis, was appointed a captain in the Continental artillery on April 15, 1777.
34George Washington to John Hancock, 23 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 23, 1777. Requests apprehension of a spy. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
35George Washington to John Hancock, 26 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 26, 1777. Gives instructions concerning pay of American prisoners. Discusses conduct and influence of Tories. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
36George Washington to John Hancock, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook Camp [ New Jersey ] June 2, 1777. Encloses news from Northern Department. Deplores deficiency of troops. States that Colonel Elias Boudinot is going to Philadelphia to discuss exchange of prisoners. Df , in writing of H; last line and postscript in writing of Robert Hanson Harrison, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Boudinot was commissary general for prisoners,...
37George Washington to John Hancock, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 25, 1777. Introduces Monsieur D’Avout. LS , in writing of H, Papers of Continental Congress, National Archives.
38George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 10, 1777. Reports that Army has been moved to Coryells Ferry. Discusses desirability of defending Fort Island rather than Billingsport. Asks permission to have Major General Tronson du Coudray survey region between Marcus Hook and Philadelphia. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
39George Washington to John Hancock, 12 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 12, 1777. Has instructed Brigadier General Silas Newcomb to maintain New Jersey militia at Woodbury. Asks if Major General Tronson du Coudray may call on Newcomb for aid. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Also known as Neshaminy Camp. This later became Hartsville, Pennsylvania.
40George Washington to John Hancock, 15 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 15, 1777. Suggests plan of defence for Fort Island based on Major General Tronson du Coudray’s maps. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
41George Washington to John Hancock, 17 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 17, 1777. Seeks information concerning Du Portail’s request to Congress for horses and servants at public expense. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Colonel Louis Le Bèque (Le Begue) Du Portail was sent to America in July, 1777. Congress appointed him chief engineer with the rank of colonel. He was given the rank of...
42George Washington to John Hancock, 22 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 22, 1777. Acknowledges receipt of news that enemy is in Chesapeake Bay. Informs Hancock of orders given to Colonel Thomas Proctor, Brigadier General Francis Nash, Major General John Sullivan, and the Army at Headquarters. Approves of removal of stores from Lancaster and York.
43George Washington to John Hancock, 28 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 28, 1777. Recommends Count Casimir Pulaski to command cavalry. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Pulaski was a Polish officer recommended to Washington by Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee. He later commanded an independent corps of cavalry known as Pulaski’s Legion.
44George Washington to John Hancock, 29 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 29, 1777. Discusses movements of enemy. Asks Hancock to send commissions for Brigadier Generals John Glover, Enoch Poor, and John Paterson. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
45George Washington to John Hancock, 14 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] September 14, 1777. Is directing Major General Israel Putnam to send a second detachment of one thousand men to camp. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
46George Washington to John Hancock, 17 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Yellow Springs [ Pennsylvania ] September 17, 1777. Discusses situation of enemy and American efforts to secure reinforcements. LS , in the writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
47From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
If Congress have not yet left Philadelphia, they ought to do it immediately without fail, for the enemy have the means of throwing a party this night into the city. I just now crossed the valleyford, in doing which a party of the enemy came down & fired upon us in the boat by which means I lost my horse. One man was killed and another wounded. The boats were abandon’d & will fall into their...
48From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the honor to write you a hasty line this Evening giving it as my opinion that the city was no longer a place of safety for you. I write you again lest that should not get to hand. The enemy are on the road to Sweedes ford, the main body about four miles from it. They sent a party this evening to Davesers ferry, which fired upon me and some others in crossing it, killed one man,...
49From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I left camp last evening and came to this city to superintend the collection of blankets and cloathing for the army. Mr. Lovel sends to inform me there is an express going off to Congress, and I do myself the honor to communicate a brief state of things, when I left camp. The enemy moved yesterday from where they lay opposite to valley forge &c. higher up the river on their old scheme of...
50George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Pennypackers Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 5, 1777. Describes the “unfortunate” attack on Germantown. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
51George 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...
52George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 22, 1777 . Regrets that Hancock is forced to retire as President of Continental Congress because of poor health and the pressure of private affairs. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
53From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [10 June 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia June 10, 1792. “The period of the session did not permit the subject being brought before Congress, with advantage, previous to their rising. Your excellency however may rely that it shall receive the attention which is due to so benevolent a purpose and to the auspices under which it presents itself.” Letter not found. ] ALS , sold by Dodd, Mead and Company, New York City,...
54From Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, 13 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives We have been here some Days waiting for General Schuyler’s Orders to proceed, which we have just received, and shall accordingly leave this Place to morrow. Tho’ by the Advices from Canada communicated by him to us, and as we suppose sent forward to you, I am afraid we shall be able to effect but little there. We had a heavy Snow here yesterday and the Waters are so...
55John Hancock to the Commissioners to Canada, 26 April 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): National Archives The late Disturbances in Canada, owing to an Insurrection of a Number of the Inhabitants, have, for some Time, occupied the most serious Attention of Congress. In Pursuance of which they have come into sundry Resolves calculated both to increase our military Force in that Country, and to allay the Fears and Apprehensions of the People. Of this latter Kind is the...
56The Commissioners to Canada to John Hancock, 1 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives After some difficulty and delay in getting thro’ the ice of Lake George, we arrived here on monday last and were very politely received by General Arnold who at present commands in this Post. It is impossible to give you a just idea of the lowness of the Continental credit here from the want of hard money, and the prejudice it is to our affairs. Not the most trifling...
57The Commissioners to Canada to [John Hancock], 6 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives In our letter of the 1st. instant, we informed you of the lowness of the Continental credit in this Province and the necessity of a speedy supply of hard money: unless this very essential article arrives soon, our forces will suffer exceedingly from the want of many necessaries, particularly flour, which might be laid in much cheaper here than it could be...
58The Commissioners to Canada to [John Hancock], 8 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives With this You will receive Copies of our two preceding Letters. We find Ourselves obliged to repeat the Necessity of sending immediately the Supply of hard Money therein mentioned. We have tried in vain to borrow some here for the immediate Occasions of the Army, either on the public or our own private Credit. We cannot even sell Sterling Bills of Exchange which some of...
59The Commissioners to Canada to John Hancock, 10 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives By Col: Campbell, who arrived here early this morning from Quebeck, we are informed that two men of war, two Frigates and one Tender arrived there early on monday the 6th. instant about eleven o’clock the enemy sallied out, to the number, as is supposed, of one thousand men. Our forces were so dispersed at different posts, that not more than two hundred could be...
60John Hancock to the Commissioners to Canada, 24 May 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): National Archives By the enclosed Resolves of Congress which I do myself the Honour of transmitting, you will perceive that every Step has been taken to procure hard Money that could be devised. I have forwarded to Genl. Schuyler by this Conveyance the Sum of sixteen Hundred and sixty two Pounds one Shilling and three Pence in hard Money, which was all that was in the...