361From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you the 25th instant, Since which I am not honoured with any of your favours—the estimate I then inclosed you, was Calculated to pay the troops &a up to the first of January—that Cannot be done for want of funds in the Paymaster General’s hands—which Causes a great murmuring amongst those, who are going of. the monthly expences of this Army amt to near 275,000 Dollars, which I take the...
362From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th I had the honor to receive last night with Governr Livingston & Genl Dickinsons Letters. It is out of my power to do more, than I already have for checking the Enemy’s progress in Jersey, and I should hope, that will be the case as soon as the Troops ordered from pecks Kill arrive to reinforce the Militia assembling under Genl Dickinson. I observe, that All the...
363From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour of transmitting to Congress a Letter, which came by Express, last Night, from General Schuyler, inclosing the Copy of a Letter to him from Col. Kirkland—I have likewise inclosed the Copy of one directed to General Putnam, or the Commanding Officer at New-York. The Representations contained in these Letters have induced me, without waiting the Determination of Congress, to...
364From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Copies of Genl St Clairs Letters, transmitted Yesterday Afternoon and last Night by Genl Schuyler, I have thought it my duty to send you. The Intelligence they contain is important and interesting—nor are there circumstances wanting besides these, to induce a beleif or at least to raise a strong presumption that the Enemy have in contemplation a junction of their Two Armies by way...
365From George Washington to John Hancock, 7–9 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 26 Ulto I had the honour of addressing you and then mentioned that we were making preparations for taking possession of Dorchester Heights. I now beg leave to Inform you, that a Council of General Officers having determined a previous Bombardment & Cannonade expedient and proper, in order to harrass the Enemy and divert their attention from that Quarter, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday...
366From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured Yesterday with your favor of the 7th with Its Inclosures. When Doctr Potts arrives I shall order him to Canada or Lake George, as may appear most proper. It is certainly necessary that he or Doctr Stringer shou’d go to the former. The Resolve respecting Genl Wooster’s recall, I will immediately Transmit him, with directions to repair hither without delay. The situation of our...
367From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday Morning favoured with yours of the 17th, accompanied by Several Resolutions of Congress, and Commissions for Officers appointed to the late Vacancies in this Army. I wrote some days ago to Genl Schuyler, to propose to Genls Carleton & Burgoyne an Exchange of prisoners in consequence of a former Resolve of Congress authorizing their Commanders in each Department to negociate...
368From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I received your favors of the 7th & 10th instant with the Resolves of the Honble Congress, to which I will pay all due attention—As Soon as two Capable persons Can be found, I will dispatch them to Nova Scotia, on the Service resolved on in Congress —the Resolve to raise two Battallions of marines will (if practicable in this Army) entirely derange what has been done; it is therein mentiond...
369From George Washington to John Hancock, 12–13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 10th accompanied with one from the Committee of Congress, to whom I have wrote very fully upon the subject of the Resolve for forming an Army upon the West side of Delaware and to which I refer you. I wish I could see any prospect of an Army, fit to make proper opposition, formed any where. You will perhaps be surprized at this, after the public Reports of the...
370From George Washington to John Hancock, 4–5 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor to address you on the 30th Ulto, I transmitted a Copy of a Letter I had received from a Gentleman, a member of the Honble Genl Court, suggesting the improbability of Succours coming from thence in any reasonable time either for the defence of this place, or to reinforce our Troops engaged in the Canada expedition. I am sorry to Inform you that from a variety of...
371From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 18th & 19th with which you have been pleased to honor me, have been duly received with the Several Resolves alluded to. When the Letter and Declaration from Lord Howe to Mr Franklin and the other late Governors come to be published I should suppose the warmest Advocates for dependance on the British Crown must be silent, and be Convinced beyond all possibility of doubt, that...
372From George Washington to John Hancock, 26 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favors of the 20th & 24th and am happy to find my Answer to Ld Drummond has met the approbation of Congress. whatever his views were, most certainly his conduct respecting his parole is highly reprehensible. Since my Letter of the 24th, All most the whole of the Enemies fleet have fallen down to the Narrows, and from this circumstance—the Striking of their...
373From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor of addressing you last, I hoped the Intelligence received respecting our Affairs in the Northern Department was not true, or at least, that they were not so unfavourable, as they were then represented; But the inclosed Copy of a Letter from Genl Schuyler, which came to hand Yesterday Evening, confirms it most unhappily for us in its fullest latitude. This Event, (the...
374From George Washington to John Hancock, 10–11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday Evening, I received the honor of your Letter of the 7th with its several Inclosures. The providing of suitable Quarters for the Troops during the Winter, demands our Attention; but I confess, it is difficult to say, where they will be. Sundry circumstances may occur in the course of the Campaign, to render any Provision, which might now be thought of altogether improper. In...
375From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterday with its several Inclosures came to hand last night. Though I would willingly pay every attention to the Resolutions of Congress, Yet in the late instance, respecting the recall of Genl Sullivan I must beg leave to defer giving any order about It, till I hear further from that Honble Body. Our situation at this time is critical and delicate, and nothing should be done...
376From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Thursday Morning General Howe advanced with his Whole Army in several Columns from Amboy, as far as Westfeild. We are certainly informed, that the Troops, sent to Staten Island, returned the preceding Evening, and it is said with an Augumentation of Marines—so that carrying them there was a feint with intention to deceive us. His design in this sudden movement was either to bring on a...
377From George Washington to John Hancock, 4–5 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 24th July accompanied by 284 Commissions, which are yet much short of the necessary Number. I am much honoured by the Confidence reposed in me of appointing the several Officers recommended in mine of the 10th ult.; and shall endeavour to select such Persons, as are best qualified to fill those important Posts. General Thomas has accepted...
378VIII: To John Hancock, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that in this days engagement we have been obliged to leave the enemy masters of the field. Unfortunately the intelligence received of the enemy’s advancing up the Brandywine, & crossing at a ford about six miles above us, was uncertain & contradictory, notwithstanding all my pains to get the best. This prevented my making a disposition adequate to the force with which...
379I. Notes for Letter, 10 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
The time of my arrival. The Situation of the Troops—Works—& things in genl—Enemy on Bunkers Hill. The almost impossibility of giving up the present Incampment in the Face of the Enemy, & after so much work has been bestowd notwithstanding our Situation from the devidedness of it, & length of our lines &ca is by no means desirable. The exceeding difficulty of getting returns of the Forces &ca...
380Enclosure, 4 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Table of Proposed Pay Increases for Officers Present Pay Suppose intended Difference 1 Colonel £15 £ 25 £ 10 1 Lieut. Colo. 12 20 8 1 Major 10 15 5 8 Capts. @ £8 64 £10
381II. Letter Sent, 10–11 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
I arrived safe at this Place on the 3d Instt, after a Journey attended with a good deal of Fatigue, & retarded by necessary Attentions to the successive Civilities which accompanied me in my whole Rout —Upon my Arrival, I immediately visited the several Posts occupied by our Troops, & as soon as the Weather permitted, reconnoitred those of the Enemy. I found the latter strongly entrench’d on...