1. Physician Edward Bancroft (1744–1821) was born in Westfield, Massachusetts. He settled in England in 1767 and in 1769 published Remarks on the Review of the Controversy between Great Britain and her Colonies (London), in which he defended the rights of the American colonists. During the Revolutionary War, however, he accepted payment from both sides for information. A noted chemist, specializing in the manufacture and use of dyes, he published Experimental Researches Concerning the Philosophy of Permanent Colours (London, 1794).

The original letter from Bancroft has not been identified. The following “Extract of a Letter from Dr Edward Bancroft. to Jn Vaughan dated 26 Feby 1794. London” appears at the top of the page, before Vaughan’s note to GW. It reads: “We still flatter ourselves that no breach will take place between this country & the United States. Certainly this nation is very far from having any hostile dispositions towards yours & whatever Causes of Complaint may exist I am confident if time is allowed for discussion, & hasty rash measures avoided that all serious causes of discontent will be removed.”