11From Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, 8 [December] 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives In 30 Days after we left the Capes of Delaware, we came to an Anchor in Quiberon Bay. I remain’d on board four Days, expecting a Change of Wind, proper to carry the Ship into the River Loire; but the Wind seeming fix’d in an opposite Quarter, I landed at Auray, and with some Difficulty got hither, the Road not being well supply’d with Means of Conveyance. Two...
12From Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, 14 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Permit me to repeat my Congratulations on your Election to the Government of your Country, and my best Wishes for your Health & Happiness. A Privateer of this Country having taken an English Packet bound to New York, with her Dispatches, some of which it may be of particular Use to your State that your Excellency should see, as...
13From Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, 26 March 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I am requested by some Friends of much Consideration in this Country, to recommend to your Excellency’s Protection Messrs. Galatheau & Compere who go over in the Ship Marquis de la Fayette, with a Power of Attorney to call to Account Messrs Peurien & La Fitte of Salem, for a Cargo intrusted with them by Messrs. Barran, Merchants of Bordeaux. Nothing is desired...
14Elbridge Gerry to the Massachusetts Delegates, 20 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
I Received the Letters, with which you were pleased to favor me per Mr. Fessenden on Saturday last being the 18th Instant, at a Critical Time for the Army posted at Cambridge. The Evening preceeding Orders were Issued in Consequence of a Consultation between the General Officers and Committee of Safety to take possession of Dorchester Hill and Bunkers hill in Charlestown which I must confess...
15From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
If Congress have not yet left Philadelphia, they ought to do it immediately without fail, for the enemy have the means of throwing a party this night into the city. I just now crossed the valleyford, in doing which a party of the enemy came down & fired upon us in the boat by which means I lost my horse. One man was killed and another wounded. The boats were abandon’d & will fall into their...
16From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the honor to write you a hasty line this Evening giving it as my opinion that the city was no longer a place of safety for you. I write you again lest that should not get to hand. The enemy are on the road to Sweedes ford, the main body about four miles from it. They sent a party this evening to Davesers ferry, which fired upon me and some others in crossing it, killed one man,...
17From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I left camp last evening and came to this city to superintend the collection of blankets and cloathing for the army. Mr. Lovel sends to inform me there is an express going off to Congress, and I do myself the honor to communicate a brief state of things, when I left camp. The enemy moved yesterday from where they lay opposite to valley forge &c. higher up the river on their old scheme of...
18Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 27 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this minute returned from our Lines on Long Island where I left his Excellency the General. From him I have It in command to Inform Congress that Yesterday he went there & continued till Evening when from the Enemy’s having landed a considerable part of their Forces and many of their Movements, there was reason to apprehend they would make in a little time a Genl Attack. As they would have a...
19Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 12 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency being called from Head Quarters to day on business of Importance which prevents his Writing, I therefore do myself the honor to inform Congress of what has happened since his Letter of Yesterday. Last Evening the Enemy transported a number of Men from Buchanans to Montezors Island, and by their several movements more strongly indicate their Intention to land somewhere about...
20Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 7 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency being out a reconnoitring and busily engaged in the Affairs of the Army, I have the honor to acknowledge his receipt of your Letter of the 6th with the Resolutions inclosed, which came to hand Yesterday Afternoon. In respect to the Militia requested of Jersey, his Excellency is doubtfull, whether they can be obtained. For Governor Livingston, by a Late letter, informed him, that...
21Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 31 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you on the 29th Instant, no event of importance has occured. The Enemy are throwing up some Lines and Redoubts in our Front with a view of Canonading as soon as they are ready, and at the same time, are extending their Wings farther by our right and left. It is supposed, that one of their Objects is, to advance a part of their Troops and Seize on the Bridge...
22Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 14–17 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency having gone this Morning to visit our posts beyond Kings bridge and the Several passes leading from Frog’s point and the Necks adjacent, I have the honor to inform you by his command, that no interesting event has taken place since his Letter by Yesterdays post. Every days intelligence from the Convention of this State, holds forth discoveries of New plots, and of new...
23Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 3 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
By command of his Excellency, I have the honor to inform you, that our situation is nearly the same, as when I had the pleasure of writing you last; It is altered in no instance, unless in the number of our Troops, which is every day decreasing by their most scandalous desertion and return Home. The Inclosed Letter from Genl Parsons who is stationed near the Saw pits, and which his Excellency...
24Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 25 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The whole of our Army is now here and on the Neighbouring Heights, except the Troops left at Mount Washington & Kingsbridge (about Fourteen hundred at the former & Six hundred at the latter) and Genl Lee’s division, which now forms the Rear & which is on their March. Our Removal & that of the Stores, have been attended with a great deal of Trouble, owing to the scarcity and difficulty of...
25Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 29 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The situation of our Affairs not permitting his Excellency to write himself, I have it in charge to inform you, that on Yesterday Morning about Ten OClock the Enemy appeared in several large columns in our front, and from their first movements, seemed, as if they meant an Attack there; However halting for a little time, their Main body filed off to our left, and presently began a most severe &...
26Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 20 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have it in command from his Excellency, to transmit you the inclosed Copies of dispatches which just now came to Hand & which contain Intelligence of the most interesting and important nature, respecting our Affairs in the Northern Department. His Excellency would have wrote himself, but was going to our Several posts, when the Express arrived. The Enemy are pursuing with great Industry...
27Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 1 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by his Excellency to acknowledge his receipt of your favor of the 28th Ulto which came to hand Yesterday Evening and to transmit you a Copy of the Letter I had the honor of writing you by the Boston Express by his command. Had the Express been charged with no Other Letter, the loss would not have been attended with any material injury to us, or advantage to the Enemy, provided it...
28Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 10 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening, I received the honor of your Letter of the 9th with its several Inclosures. I have written to Genl Putnam to detach the Fifteen Hundred Men mentioned by Congress, and inclosed my Letter upon the subject, which you will be pleased to forward to him by the earliest Opportunity. In respect to the Subject of Monsr Du Coudray’s Letter, I would beg leave to observe, however...
29I: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are now advancing. Their present appearance indicates a disposition to pursue this Route. If they do, I trust, they will meet with a suitable reception and such as will establish our Liberties. They are now advanced near the Brandiwine & have fired Several peices of Artillery. I am Sir with great respect Yr Most Obedt Servt ALS , DNA:PCC , item 152; ADfS , DLC:GW ; copy, DNA:PCC ,...
30VII: Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of addressing you this morning, I mentioned, that the Enemy were advancing and had began a Canonade; I would now beg leave to inform you, that they have kept up a brisk fire from their Artillery ever since. Their advanced party was attacked by our light Troops under Genl Maxwell, who crossed the Brandiwine for that purpose and had posted his Men on some high Grounds on...
The enclosed Memorial was Yesterday given me by Mr Pell with a Request that I would transmit it to the Congress. He appears much hurt at being omitted in the Arrangement of officers intended for the Regiment lately ordered to be raised in this Colony; and I sincerely wish he had less Reason to think himself neglected. He is a fine, spirited, young Gentleman; of one or two and twenty, of an...
32From Thomas Jefferson to John Hancock, 11 October 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 30th. together with the resolutions of Congress of the 26th. Ult. came safe to hand. It would argue great insensibility in me could I receive with indifference so confidential an appointment from your body. My thanks are a poor return for the partiality they have been pleased to entertain for me. No cares for my own person, nor yet for my private affairs would have induced...
33From Thomas Jefferson to John Hancock, 19 October 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
In a late conversation with Mr. T. Adams since his return from Congress I find, what indeed might have been well supposed that the state of the Continental finances was not the most flourishing. The establishment of banks in Europe for the purpose of maintaining our credit there, as well as here, and by that means of enlarging our supplies by way of loan may perhaps meet with the attention of...
34The General Court to the Massachusetts Delegates, 9 – 10 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed you have an Account of Powder supplyed the Army lately before Boston, by this Colony. We have not been able to procure the proper Vouchers for the delivery of the whole of it to the Army, but as it was delivered on the day of the Battle at Bunker Hill and at other times of Alarm and Confusion, we trust that neglect will be excused. The Account is not supposed to contain the whole of...
35Enclosure: Resolution Appointing Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 18 January 1776 (Adams Papers)
Whereas John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, and Elbridge Gerry Esqrs. have been chosen by joint Ballot of the two houses of Assembly to represent the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England in the American Congress untill the first day of January A.D. 1777— Resolved that they or any one or more of them are hereby fully impowered, with the delegates from the other...
36The General Court to the Massachusetts Delegates, 6 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
At the same time that we think Ourselves obliged to acknowledge the vigilance and care of our Delegates to the defence of our Colony, and the attention of the Congress to an impartial defence of every part of the united Colonies, in the late provision made for the Massachusetts Bay, their Resolve for adding three more Battalions to those left for the defence of it; we conceive it necessary to...
37The General Court to the Massachusetts Delegates, 5 December 1775 (Adams Papers)
We are informed by his Excellency General Washington, that it is his opinion, the paying our Troops, by the Lunar Month, will throw the rest of the Army into disorder, as the Continental Congress have resolved, that it is the Kalender Month they mean to pay by; and that the difference between the two, must be consider’d as a Colonial, and not a Continental Charge. We are sensible, it is...
38Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 11 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
Watertown, 11 November 1775. (Misc. Papers of the Continental Congress, Reel No. 8). Although the credentials as passed by the house bear the date 10 November, the Journal of the House of Representatives Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts [1715- ], Boston, reprinted by the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1919- . (For the years for which reprints are not yet available,...
39The Speaker of the House of Representatives to the Massachusetts delegates, 25 July 1775 (Adams Papers)
Watertown, 25 July 1775. FC ( M-Ar : Mass. House of Representatives Records, 57:263). As speaker, James Warren notified JA and the other members of the delegation of their election to the Council and expressed the wish that they would take their seats on the Council as soon as their duties in the congress permitted. Their election to the Council had taken place on 21 July. JA took his seat on...
In Pursuance of a Resolution of your hon’ble House of the 17 th : June last we passed a Resolve to authorize the Commander in Chief to call out all or any Part of the ^ our ^ Militia whenever he might think it necessary Of this Resolve the Inclosure N o . 1 is a Copy— We have also taken into Consideration the Recommendation of the Congress relative to providing Cloathing for the Troops, and...
41From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 4th inclosing sundry Resolves of Congress from the 29th March to the 5th instant. I am extremely glad to see the Resolve for the immediate removal of Military Stores from Baltimore and Annapolis, for altho’ I do not imagine that the Enemy intend an expedition of any great Consequence in Chesapeak Bay, yet while the Stores lay at the above places, they were...
42From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honour to transmit you the inclosed most interesting and agreeable intelligence which I have this moment recd from Genl Putnam. I can scarce doubt but Genl Gates has sent you an Express, but lest he, from the important Business in which he was engaged, should not have done it, I have immediately forwarded it, that you might not be debarred from so great a pleasure an instant...
43From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received the favor of your Letter of the 26th with the Resolves to which it alludes. The views of Congress in sending General Officers to the Eastward, to hasten on the Troops, have been long anticipated. Genl Poor is in New Hampshire for the purpose; General Heath in Massachusets Bay, with Brigadrs Nixon, Glover and Patterson; General Varnum in Rhode Island, and Genl Parsons in...
44From George Washington to John Hancock, 11–13 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you, that since my Letter of the 8th and 9th Instt, which I had the honor of addressing you, Nothing of importance has occurred, except that the Ships of War, which I then mentioned, in their passage up the River, took a Sloop that was at Anchor off the Mouth of Spitendevil, and Two of our Row Gallies, which they out sailed. The Crews finding that they could not prevent...
45From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you Yesterday, Nothing of Importance has occurred and the Enemy remain, as they then were. I was reconnoitring the Country and different Roads all Yesterday, and am now setting out on the same business again. Sensible of the advantages of Light Troops, I have formed a Corps under the command of a Brigadier, by drafting a Hundred from each Brigade, which is...
46From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I herewith transmit you Copies of a Letter from Genl Schuyler and Its several Inclosures which I received since I had the honor of addressing you yesterday. From these you will learn, that Genl Thomas died the 2d Instant, and the apprehensions of our Frontier friends in this Colony that our Savage foes are meditating an attack against them. I must beg leave to refer you to a paragraph in the...
47From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor and pleasure to inform you that the Enemy evacuated Brunswic this morning and retired to Amboy, burning many Houses as they went along. Some of them from the appearance of the Flames were considerable Buildings. From several pieces of information and from a variety of Circumstances it was evident that a move was in agitation, and it was the general Opinion that it was intended...
48From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 14 & 18 Instt and the Interesting resolves contained in them, with which I have been honoured. The several matters recommended to my attention shall be particularly regarded, and the directions of Congress and your requests complied with in every instance as far as in my power. The Instituting a War Office is certainly an event of great...
49From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
It gives me real pain to learn, that the declining state of your health, owing to your unwearied application to public business, and the situation of your private affairs oblige you to relinquish a station; though but for a time, which you have so long filled with acknowledged propriety. Motives as well of a personal as of a general concern make me to regret the necessity that forces you to...
50From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday had the Honor of writing you and to advise of our arrival here. I am now to inform you that the Enemy are still advancing and that their Vanguard had proceeded as far as Bonum, a small Town about four miles this side of Woodbridge according to my last intelligence. As to their number reports are various. Some say they were joined yesterday by a considerable reinforcement from...
51From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to transmit you a Copy of my Letter to Lord Howe as well on the Subject of a Genl Exchange of prisoners in the Naval Line, as that of Lieutt Josiah in particular, and of his Lordships Answer, which for Its matter and manner, is very different from Genl Carletons Orders which were forwarded Yesterday. The Situation of the Armies being the same, as when I had the...
52From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of addressing you in Consequence of an Application from the Commissary General, who is by my Direction taking all proper Precautions on the Approach of Winter. I desired him to commit to writing such Proposals as his Experience & Knowledge of the Country might intitle him to make, which he has done in the Paper which I have the Honour to inclose. The Difficulty of...
53From George Washington to John Hancock, 6 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that on yesterday morning the Enemy made a sudden and unexpected movement from the Several posts they had taken in our Front. they broke up their whole Encampments the preceding night, and have advanced towards King’s bridge and the North river. the design of this manuvre, is a matter of much conjecture and speculation, and cannot be accounted for with any...
54From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by General Arnold, who arrived here to day in his way to Philadelphia. He seems to be anxious to settle his public Accounts, which are of considerable amount, and waits on Congress, hoping they will appoint a Committee of their Body, or of such Gentlemen, as they shall judge proper, to take the matter into consideration. This he considers, the more necessary, as he...
55From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Aide de Camp Col. Laurens is charged with a commission of the most critical importance from Congress to the Court of Versailles. The Alliance Frigate is ordered to convey him to France, but from the exhausted state of our continental resources in every department, delays which would be fatal to the objects of his mission are to be apprehended unless the influence of yr Exy or assistance of...
56From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Letter of the 29th Ulto, inclosing Sundry Resolves. Agreable to the directions of Congress, I have written to the States of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and urged them to compleat and forward their Troops, destined for Ticonderoga, with all possible expedition. The Brigadiers gone there for the present, are Fermoy—Poor—Patterson & Learned. Nixon & Glover...
57From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of this date with its inclosures is now before me. At the same time that I express my thanks for the high mark of confidence which Congress have been pleased to repose in me by their Resolve authorizing me to send an Officer to command the northern Army, I should wish to be excused from making the appointment. For this, many Reasons might be mentioned, and which, I am persuaded will...
58From George Washington to John Hancock, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the petition preferred by the Independant Corps of Boston and beg leave thro you to Inform Congress, that the Five Regiments there are extremely deficient in Arms, as are many Other Regiments in Continenta⟨l⟩ pay, and Submit It to their consideration whethe⟨r⟩ any part of the Arms lately taken, under these circumstances shou’d be delivered to the Gentlemen applying for them,...
59From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Captain Desheild of Mr Buchanans Ship from Baltimore who was taken by the Enemy and carried into York made his Escape from thence on Saturday Evening. He informs, that three thousand Troops, British & Hessian, embarked about Ten days ago from the City & Staten Island on board Transports which were laying at the Latter when he came away, he adds that the Enemy have built & are building a number...
60From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment Honor’d with yours of 5 OClock this morning, & have accordingly sett the Army in Motion One Division had Cross’d the Deleware the day before Yesterday, & I am in hopes the whole of the Troops now here will be able to reach Philada tomorrow Evening Lord stirlings Division lies just in my rear & will move on with us I propose setting off for your City as soon as I can get the...