To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 September 1776
From John Hancock
Philada Sepr 16th 1776.
Sir,
The Congress having at different Times passed sundry Resolves relative to a Variety of Subjects, I do myself the Honour to enclose you a Copy of the same, as necessary for your Information & Direction.1
The Resolve of the 12th respecting Colonel Trumbull, will I trust be satisfactory, & prove the Means of his continuing in an office of such Importance to the Army, and which he has hitherto discharged with the greatest Fidelity & Success. I have the Honour to be with perfect Esteem & Respect Sir your most obed. & very hble Ser.
John Hancock Presidt
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 12A.
1. Hancock enclosed copies of various resolutions dated 10, 12, and 14 Sept., all of which are in DLC:GW (see also , 5:749, 752–54, 757–58). The enclosed resolution of 10 Sept. clarifies Congress’s intention to leave any decision to abandon New York City to GW’s discretion. In one of the resolutions of 12 Sept., Congress reaffirms its resolve of 8 July giving Commissary Gen. Joseph Trumbull power to supply the northern army by upholding his “Right to direct the Operations of his Department both as Contractor and Issuer of Provisions.” The other resolutions of 12 Sept. concern the appointment of a deputy adjutant general and deputy quartermaster general for the northern department and the payment of militia at New York. The resolutions of 14 Sept. deal with rations for militia officers, winter quarters and ammunition supplies for the northern army, procedures to compel discharged soldiers to return all Continental arms, ammunition, and other property, and various personal matters regarding individual officers.