To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 April 1776
From John Hancock
Philadelphia April 27th 1776.
Sir,
The enclosed Resolve of Congress respecting the Rifle Battalions and independant Rifle Companies, would have been transmitted sooner, had it not been omitted through a Mistake.1
I do myself the Pleasure of forwarding at this Time several Resolves of Congress relative to such Parts of your Letters as have hitherto come under Consideration.2
I propose writing more fully by Mr Palfrey who will set out for New York on Monday. In the mean Time, I have the Honour to be, Sir, your most obedt & very hble Servt
John Hancock Presidt
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 12A.
1. This resolution of 15 April authorizes the officers of the rifle regiment and the independent rifle companies to reenlist their men for two years beginning 1 July 1776, the date their current enlistment expired (DLC:GW; see also , 4:284).
2. Congress passed these resolutions on 26 April in response to parts of GW’s letters to Hancock of 22 and 23 April [1] [2]. They concern the pay of GW’s aides-de-camp, the shortage of arms, Jeduthan Baldwin’s rank, the payment of militia who had recently served at New York, and approval of GW’s lending soldiers to Commodore Hopkins (DLC:GW; see also , 4:311–12).