1To Alexander Hamilton from John Laurance, 28 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey ] April 28, 1779 . Informs Hamilton of enforced absence from Camp. ALS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. John Laurance, who was a close friend and associate of H in New York after the war, was judge advocate, Continental Army.
2To George Washington from John Laurance, 16 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
At this period of the War, it is not without much Pain, that I induce myself to resign to Your Excellency, the Commission I hold in the Army. For a considerable time past, I have combated many difficulties to continue in Service, being desireous of contributing my mite to the attainment of the great Object of the Controversy, but my circumstances, at present, render me unable to do it longer,...
3To George Washington from John Laurance, 20 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
As I am truely sensible of Your Excellencys Attention, in the offer you made me, I am impelled by Gratitude to return you my thanks for it. It is with much truth that I assure Your Excellency, that nothing but a peculiarity of Situation constrains me to decline, what Inclination prompts me to accept. This determination is induced by a full review of my Condition, and as I flatter myself that...
4To George Washington from John Laurance, 5 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your Excellencys desire I have perused the Articles of War with Attention—As they now stand I have found them answer to every Case that has happened since I have acted as Judge Advocate—No alteration occurs to me that is necessary to be made except the restriction in the Number of Lashes, and the Authority of ordering Courts martial for the Trial of Capital...
5To George Washington from John Laurance, 15 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Laurance, 15 Dec. 1779 . GW wrote John Morgan on 17 Dec.: “Inclosed you have the Copy of a letter which I received from Mr Laurance the Judge Advocate.” Morgan then wrote GW on 27 Dec.: “Your Excellencys Letter of the 17th Instant, inclosing the Judge Advocates of the 15th came to my hand.”
6To George Washington from John Laurance, 24 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
AS the Congress have resolved that two Counsellors learned in the law should assist and co-operate with me in the prosecution of the General Officers respecting the evacuation of Ticonderoga, I am under the necessity, previous to my proceeding to the trial of Major General St. Clair, of requesting your Excellency to inform me whether those gentlemen have been desired to attend agreeable to the...
7To George Washington from John Laurance, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the Papers delivered me, Yesterday, by Lieut. Colonel Humphreys, who informed me that the Persons, mentioned in them, were Subjects of the State of Connecticut; and resided in that State when apprehended. I am therefore of Opinion that A Court Martial could not properly take Cognizance of the Facts they are charged with, unless the Court acted under a Law of the State, in which...