1To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit the enclosed Resolves, in Obedience to the Commands of Congress. They are so explicit, that I shall only request your Attention to them. You will percieve from the Vote of Congress, the Sense of that Body with Regard to the Necessity of furnishing the Troops for the new Army, as soon as possible; a Copy of which, I have forwarded to the respective States agreeably...
2To George Washington from John Hancock, 28 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
This moment Dodd the Express from the State of Massachusetts, who Took your Dispatches to Congress on Saturday last, Arriv’d at my house, and informs me that this Day about 12 oClock he put up at one Bissinett’s a publick house in Bristol, where he open’d his Bundle to deliver a Letter to be forwarded over the Ferry to Mrs Reed, & leaving his Bundle in the Barr Room while he Stept out, on his...
3To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed Resolves of Congress, which I have the Honour to forward, that they have come to a Determination to augment our Army, & to engage the Troops to serve during the Continuance of the War. As an Inducement to enlist on these Terms, the Congress have agreed to give, besides a Bounty of twenty Dollars, a Hundred Acres of Land to each Soldier; and in Case he should...
4To George Washington from John Hancock, 12 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with yours by the Express —I am sorry for the unfortunate Issue of the Day, but from the Troops keeping up their Spirits, I flatter myself it will still be in our Power to retrieve the Loss of yesterday. I have thought proper, in Consequence of the Intelligence received this Morning, to call the Congress together at six O’Clock. I have the Honour to be, with the...
5To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have sent to you by Major William Coates, & Captain Joseph Copperthwait five hundred twenty seven thousand four hundred and eighty dollars continental money to be delivered to the paymaster & subject to your Order for the use of The Army under your Command. I have the honour to be, Sir Your most Obedt hum. servt The Cloathing is on the way. Your Letters are now under the...
6To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 30th Novr was duely received; in Consequence of which, as the Contents were of the utmost Importance, I thought proper to call the Congress together; whose Resolutions of this Day, I now do myself the Honour to enclose. Considering the very critical Situation of our Affairs, the Congress have agreed that you may order into the Jerseys, the Troops who are at present on the...
7To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves being of the utmost Importance, will naturally claim your Attention, without any particular Recommendation or Comment. They are ardently calculated to retrieve the Situation of our Affairs, and I trust will have the desired Effect. I have wrote to the Councils of Safety of Massachussetts Bay and Pennsylvania on the Subject of creating Magazines in their respective States...
8To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Arriv’d last Eveng at this place, where I was honour’d with your Letter of 23d Inst. which I shall lay before Congress as soon as the whole of the Members arrive here which I Expect will be this Day. The Inclos’d Letters for Commodore Hazelwood & Capt. Alexander, the Marine Committee judg’d best to forward, at least to induce them to Exert themselves to the last, they are left open for your...
9To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose you sundry Resolves of Congress, accompanied with a Commission for Monsr Armand, which I am to request you will order to be delivered to him, as he is now at Head Quarters. Ever since the appointment of Brigadiers I have been waiting to be informed of the Dates of their respective Commissions in Order to settle their Rank in making out new ones. But as there...
10To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to forward the foregoing Resolves. By to morrow’s Post I hope to write you on the Subject of all your Letters which remain unanswer’d. I have the honr to be Your very hume sevt Your favr 14th just Rec’d. ALS , DLC:GW . This note is written at the end of the three resolutions of 15 July which were copied from the minutes of Congress and signed by its secretary Charles Thomson....
11To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my departure from Philadelphia, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favrs to 23d Inst.—I met the Congress on Saturday last at Lancaster, & upon consultation it was judged most prudent to adjourn to this place, where we now are, & where we can deliberate & prosecute business without interruption, & where your dispatches will meet us. I have just now receiv’d by general Gates’s Aid...
12To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
A vacancy having happend in the first New Jersey batallion by the promotion of lieutenant Colonel Winds, the Congress thought proper to elect Mr Ogden to supply his place. Lord Sterling in his letter of the 18th of March last, among other things, informed the Congress, that by this appointment Major de Hart and the batallion considered themselves “exceedingly hurt” and enclosing a memorial...
13To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duely honoured with your Favours of the 18th and 21st and immediately laid them before Congress; from whom I have it in Charge to forward the enclosed Resolves, with a Request that you will pay that Attention to them which they require. You will recieve herewith two Bundles of Commissions, which I should have forwarded sooner, had I not been prevented from signing them, by a severe...
14To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of receiving, yesterday, yours of the 13th containing the agreeable Inform⟨atio⟩n of the ministerial Troops having abandoned Boston. The partial Victory we have obtained over them in that Quarter, I hope will turn out a happy Presage of a more general one. Whatever Place may be the Object of their Destination, it must certainly give a sincere Pleasure to every Friend of this...
15To George Washington from John Hancock, 22 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Assembly of this Commonwealth have taken every measure they could devise for Expediting the supplies of Provisions so necessary for the support of the Army, the Conduct of this Business they placed in the hands of three Gentlemen of acknowledg’d Abilities whose constant residence, for the sake of Dispatch, is at Springfield, & by whose Information it appears that they are forwarding the...
16To George Washington from John Hancock, 19 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Introduces the bearers, “Mr Ogden & Mr Burr of the Jerseys,” who “Visit the Camp not as Spectators, but with a View of Joining the Army & being Active during the Campaign. . . . Your Dispatches Reach’d me last Eveng. I shall forward you the Papers immediately. The Results of Congress you shall know as early as possible.” ALS , DLC:GW . The address includes the words “Favd by Mr Burr.” Matthias...
17To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have it in Charge from the Congress to Direct that Two Companies of Colonell Dayton’s Battalion of New Jersey Troops be Station’d at Cape May, for the protection of the Property and Navigation in that Quarter, and you will please to Issue the necessary Directions accordingly. I am Sir Your very hume servt ALS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 12A. In response to a petition written in behalf of...
18To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by the Express on Saturday last, since which nothing has Occurr’d worthy your Notice —The sole Reason of Troubling you with this is to Acquaint you that in Consequence of your orders to Capt. Peters he proceeded with Major Rogers to this City, & Call’d on me Saturday last, & in the Evening of that day I Reliev’d him of his Charge, & put Major Rogers under Guard at the Barracks,...
19To George Washington from John Hancock, 29–30 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive from the enclosed Resolves which I do myself the Honour of transmitting, that Congress have had under Consideration the State of Ticonderoga and have come onto sundry Re⟨solv⟩es on the Subject. I beg Leave to refer your Attention to them, and am particularly to urge that you immediately write to the Eastern States and request them in the Name of Congress to pursue every Means...
20To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 7 with the papers enclosed are received and now under consideration of Congress. Enclosed I send you a resolution passed respecting lieutenant Josiah. He was first lieutenant of captain Nicholas Biddle & was taken in a ship capt. Biddle had made prize of, by the Cerberus frigate. By a letter which he found means to convey he informs that “he is used worse than he ever...
21To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honour of addressing you on the 24th of June, I have been favoured with the Receipt of your several Letters of the 25th 28th and 30th of that Month, and of the 1st and 2d instant; all which were immediately laid before Congress. Having Nothing in Charge at this Time, but to transmit the enclosed Resolves, I beg Leave to request your Attention to them; and have the Honour to be,...
22To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit you sundry Resolves of Congress of a very important Nature, to which I beg Leave to solicit your Attention. The Congress having had your Letters of the 1st and 6th Inst. under Consideration, have come to the enclosed Resolve on the Subject, by which you will percieve they decline making any Alteration in the Resolve of the 6th January, and that it was not their...
23To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves are all I have in Charge from Congress to forward at this Time. General Mifflin having applied to Congress in Consequence of your Letter to him, he has their Permission to repair immediately to Head Quarters agreeably to his own Desire. I have made him acquainted with this Determination of Congress. In Order that you may be enabled to meet Genl Howe upon his own Ground...
24To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to enclose you the Resolves of Congress passed yesterday and to request your Attention to them. As I am not acquainted with the Name of Count Polaski, I must beg you will give orders for his Commission to be made out; and delivered to him. As he is at Head Quarters, it may be done with Exactness by consulting him as to his Name and Titles. Your Favour of yesterday I was duely...
25To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 2 October 1776 . “The Bearer Major Ross calling on Me previous to his setting out for Head Quarters, I have only Time to enclose you sundry Resolves, and to inform you, that I shall write you fully by General Mifflin.” LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions of 25, 26, 27, 30 Sept. and 1 Oct. concern Congress’s actions on a variety of matters affecting the army, including James...
26To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Recieipt of your several Favours to the 27th Ulto. Your Letter of that Date, containing the very agreeable Intelligence of the Success of the Continental Arms under your Command, was last Night delivered to me by your Aid de Camp Colo. Baylor, together with the Hessian Standard. I entertain the most pleasing Expectation that our Affairs will henceforth assume a better...
27To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 12th 13th and 15th inst. in the Order of their respective Dates, and to inform you that they were duely laid before Congress. As Genl Lee by the Fortune of War, has become a Prisoner in the Hands of our Enemies, the Congress are anxious to afford him all the Relief in their Power during his Confinement. They have...
28To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Dispatches by Genl Mifflin, who arrived here on Sunday Evening, the Congress, the next Day, came to the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of forwarding in Obedience to their Commands. They will inform you of the Steps taken to reinforce your Army at this Juncture. The Urgency of Affairs, will, I trust, induce the Militia to exert themselves in a proper...
29To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress, for some Time past, have had their Attention occupied by one of the most interesting and important Subjects, that could possibly come before them, or any other Assembly of Men. Altho it is not possible to foresee the Consequences of Human Actions, yet it is nevertheless a Duty we owe ourselves and Posterity, in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner we are able,...
30The Massachusetts Delegates to George Washington, 22 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
In Complyance with your Request We have considered of what you proposed to us, and are obliged to give you our Sentiments, very briefly, and in great Haste. In general, Sir, there will be three Committees, either of a Congress, or of an House of Representatives, which are and will be composed of our best Men; Such, whose Judgment and Integrity, may be most rely’d on; the Committee on the State...
31To George Washington from John Hancock, 11 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 9th of Feby. The congress have not yet come to any resolutions on your former Letters. The design of this is only to desire you to send Captain Morgan Connor of the riffle Batallion to Philada the Congress having occasion to employ him in the southern department. The Congress having promoted Edward Hand Esqr. to be colonel of...
32To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves relative to the Army, and therefore necessary for your Information, I have the Honour of transmitting at this Time; and beg Leave to refer your Attention to them. The Congress have finished the Commissary’s Department, and it is now in the Press. As soon as it is printed, I will forward sundry Copies for your Use. Your Favour of the 13th 14th & 15th Inst.; as also a Copy...
33To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 14th Inst: was duely received, and immediately laid before Congress. In obedience to their Commands, I do myself the Honour to forward sundry Resolves. The Congress being of Opinion, that a Quantity of Powder should be distributed thro’ the several Counties of New York and New-Jersey, I am to request, you will give Directions to have it lodged in the Hands of such Persons as...
34To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colonel John Ashley and Brigr General Warner a Committee Appointed by the General Court to take charge of a Sum of Money in Specie granted by a Resolve of the 15th Ulto as a Gratuity to the Non Commiss[i]ond Officers and Soldiers belonging to the Massachusetts Line of the Army, will wait upon your Excellency with this Letter and I have it in Charge by a Resolution of the General Court (which...
35To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress apprehending that, in the present State of the Army, and Situation of our Affairs, an Exchange of Governor Franklin might be prejudicial, and attended with some bad Consequences, have been induced to come to the above Resolution, which I transmit by their Directions. I have the Honour to be, with the utmost Esteem & Respect, Sir your most obed. Sert Your favr of 3d Inst. just came...
36To George Washington from John Hancock, 11 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 10th Inst. containing the most interesting Intelligence was received this Day, and immediately laid before Congress. In Order to expedite the March of the Militia destined for New York, I have sent, by Order of Congress, Expresses to the several Colonies that are requested to furnish Troops for that Place. Copies of my Letters on the Occasion, I do myself the Pleasure to...
37To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honour of addressing you yesterday, the Congress have come to the enclosed Resolves, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention. General Schuyler, in Pursuance of the Orders of Congress, has dispatched Officers to forward the Troops to Head Quarters; and I am to request you will send some General Officer into the Eastern States, to hasten on the Troops already raised, to...
38To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
By order of Congress I have the Honour to forward you the Inclos’d Resolutions this moment come into. The suddeness of this order and your Zeal for the Service supercedes all necessity of Recommending this measure to your particular Notice, have only to Add that Congress leave the Appointment of the persons to you. A Variety of Business has Occurr’d, which has prevented a final Determination...
39To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr Jonathan Smith a gentlemen of this city who with two others is charged with 500.000 dollars for the use of the army under your command. I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient humble Servt I shall Dispatch an Express this Day to you by order of Congress in Consequence of your Letter of 28th ulto. LS , DLC:GW . The body of the letter is in Charles Thomson’s...
40To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by Express yesterday, and enclosed you all the Resolutions of Congress to that Time, since which Nothing has occurred. This will be handed you by Captain Bradford, who has in Charge the Money destined for the Army in Canada, three Boxes of Silver Dollars containing 21,725½, and three Boxes of Paper Dollars containing 187,000. I am to request you will please to discharge the...
41To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mrs Graydon of this City, a very worthy Lady, whose Anxiety to see her Son Captain Graydon, now a Prisoner with the Enemy, is so great, that Congress have been induced to consent to her having an Interview with him. I am therefore to request your Attention to the enclosed Resolve on the Subject, and that you will give Directions for having it carried into...
42To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s several Letters have come duly to hand, & as early as receiv’d were laid before the Assembly, & in Consequence of their Decisions your Requisitions were carried into Effect. The Powder, Mortars, Cannon &c. were with all possible Expedition sent forward, & the means of Transportation furnish’d by this Government. In one of your late Letters you mention that you had requested...
43To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing further in Charge from Congress at this Time, except the enclosed Resolve, founded upon Complaints which, if not immediately enquired into and redressed, must be productive of the most fatal Consequences to the Army. Nothing can so effectually lay the Foundation of Discontent, and of Course encourage a Spirit of Mutiny and Desertion among the Soldiers, as withholding their Pay...
44To George Washington from John Hancock, 9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour to forward, will inform you of the ample Provision the Congress have made for the Support of both Officer and Soldier who shall enter into the Service during the War. The Pay of the former is considerably increased, and the latter is to receive annually a compleat Suit of Cloaths, or in Lieu thereof, the Sum of twenty Dollars, should he...
45To George Washington from John Hancock, 28 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
By Direction of the Congress I now Transmitt you severall Resolutions pass’d yesterday, by which you will Observe they have Directed Major General Schuyler to Examine into the State of the Posts at Ticonderoga & Crown Point, and of the Troops Station’d there, as also to Enquire into the Disposition of the Canadians and Indians. You will likewise find they have Directed him to Take or Destroy...
46To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves will inform you of the Proceedings of Congress since my last. I have wrote to the Council of Massachusetts Bay on the Subject of the enclosed Resolve relative to an Attack on Nova Scotia, the Propriety of which the Congress have submitted to that State. You will please to inform Doctor Morgan, and likewise Doctor Stringer of their Dismission from the Service of these...
47To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last Nothing material has occurred here, nor have I any Thing in Charge from Congress, except to request you will negotiate an Exchange of the Hessian Prisoners at Elizabeth Town under the Care of Mr Ludwick as soon as possible. They have been treated in such a Manner during their Stay in this City, that it is apprehended, their going back among their Countrymen, will be attended with...
48To George Washington from John Hancock, 9–12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive from the enclosed Resolve, that Congress having reconsidered their Vote of the 14th Octr, have agreed to give the former Allowance of one Dollar & one Third of a Dollar to the Officers on the Reinlistment of every Soldier in the Camp. The compleating the Army being at present an Object of the utmost Importance, the Congress are desirous of adopting every Means in their Power,...
49To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I imagine this will meet you on the Road to this Place, I wave making any Mention of public Matters, except that it is the Wish of Congress, you would if consistent with the Good of the Service order one Battalion from New York to be posted at Amboy in the Jerseys agreable to the enclosed Resolve. Genl Gates arrived this Morning, soon after which I was honored with your Favour by Post which...
50To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit you the enclosed Resolves which Congress have passed at this critical Period, with a View to have the disaffected in the States of Pennsylvania and Delaware immediately apprehended and secured. I shall forward Copies of them to those States with the utmost Expedition, that a Measure of such Consequence may be carried into Execution as soon as possible. I have only...