251From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed, you will receive a Copy of a Letter from Genl Howe of this date. You will perceive, how extremely pressing he is for an Answer to the demands in his Letters of the 21st of April and 22d Ulto. As I referred the consideration of them to Congress in mine of the 28th of May, requesting their Opinion, I entreat, that they will not defer giving it, that I may return an Answer. I shall...
252From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Captn Moeballe, a Dutch Gentleman from Surinam, who has come to the Continent with a view of Entering into the Service of the States, as you will perceive by the Inclosed Letters from Mr Brown of Providence and General Greene. What other Letters & Credentials he has, I know not, but at his request have given this Line to Congress to whom he wishes to be...
253From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter which I had the honour to receive from Congress some considerable time ago, they were pleased to ask what Rank aid de Camps bore in the army—from whence I concluded that they had adverted to the extraordinary trouble and confinement of these Gentlemen with a view to make them an adequate allowance; but nothing being since done, or said of the matter, I take the liberty unsollicited...
254From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here last night with the Army and am now so far advanced, as to be in a position to meet the Enemy on the Route to Swedes Ford, if they should direct their course that way. Their situation, I believe, from the best information I have been able to obtain, is nearly the same it was Yesterday Evening when I wrote you. I have ordered All the Troops to be refreshed this Morning, as they...
255From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Resolves of the 27th Ulto were transmitted me last night by Messrs Clymer, Morris & Walton. The confidence which Congress have honoured me with by these proceedings, has a claim to my warmest acknowledgments. At the same time, I beg leave to assure them, that all my faculties shall be employed to direct properly the powers they have been pleased to vest me with, and to advance those...
256From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The principal design of this, is to inform you, that we have strong reasons to beleive, that the Enemy are on the point of making some push. What their Object is, whether to beat up our Quarters and to extend their own—to make a large forage and collection of provender, of which they are in great want—or to turn their views towards the Delaware, is a matter of incertainty; But it seems...
257From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have been in daily Expectation of being favoured with the Commands of the Honbl. Congress, on the Subjects of my two last Letters. The Season now advances so fast, that I cannot any longer defer laying before them, such farther Measures, as require their immediate Attention, & in which I wait their Direction. The Mode, in which the present Army has been collected, has occasioned some...
258From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor of writing to you Yesterday, and informing you that I had removed the Troops to this Side of the Delaware, soon after, the Enemy made their Appearance, and their Van entered, just as our Rear Guard quitted. We had removed all our Stores except a few Boards. From the best Information, they are in two Bodies, one, at and near Trenton, the other some Miles higher up, and...
259From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose you a Copy of Doctr Franklin’s Letter in favor of Count Pulawski of Poland, by whom this will be handed to you. I some time ago had a Letter from Mr Deane, couch’d in terms equally favorable to the Character & Military Abilities of this Gentleman. How he can with propriety be provided for you will be best able to determine—he takes this from me, as an...
260From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your favor of the 27th accompanied by sundry Resolutions of Congress. Those respecting the officers &c. that may be wounded in the service of the States are founded much in Justice, and I should hope may be productive of many salutary consequences—As to the Encouragement to the Hessian Officers, I wish It may have the desired effect, perhaps It might have been...
261From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to write you the 28th Instant by Captain Joseph Blewer—Last evening I received the agreeable account of the Schooner Lee, Comanded by Captain Manly haveing taken & Carried in to Cape Ann a Large Brigantine bound from London to Boston Loaden with Military Stores, the Inventory of which I have the pleasure to inclose you —Cape Ann is a very open Harbour and accessable to Large...
262From George Washington to John Hancock, 20–21 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 16th with Its Inclosures. to prevent the Injury and abuses which would arise from the Militia and Other Troops carrying away Ammunition and Continental property, I have published the substance of the Resolves upon the Subject in General Orders. Since my Letter of Yesterday Nothing of Importance has cast up. The Enemy are forming a large and extensive...
263From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th, I had the Honor to receive last night, at Eleven OClock. The Commission inclosed for Monsieur Armand, I shall deliver him, as soon, as I see him. Agreable to your request, I will give Commissions to the Brigadiers, and will ascertain their Rank by their Original Commissions, when I obtain them. The inquiry directed, respecting Major Campbell, shall be made and that be...
264From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of addressing you last, I informed you, that the Main body of the Enemy had marched from Brunswick and extended their Van, as far as Sommerset Court House. I am now to acquaint you, that after encamping between these Two posts and beginning a line of Redoubts, they changed their Ground Yesterday morning and in the course of the preceding night, and returned to Brunswick...
265From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As the situation of the Two Armies must engage the attention of Congress and lead them to expect, that, each returning day will produce some Important Events, This is meant to Inform them that Nothing of Moment has yet cast up. In the Evening of Yesterday there were great movements among their Boats and from the Number that appeared to be passing and repassing about the Narrows, we were...
266From George Washington to John Hancock, 26 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last Night honoured with yours of the 18th Instant, inclosing a Letter from the State of New York to Congress. From the particular Situation of their State, in regard to their being totally deprived of Commerce, they certainly must stand in need of the Assistance of the other States, to provide them with Cloathing and every thing necessary for the equipment of their Forces, and it ever...
267From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The apparent Designs of the Enemy being to avoid this Ferry, and land their Troops above and below us, have induced me to remove from this place, the greater part of the Troops, and throw them into a different Disposition on the River: whereby, I hope not only to be more able to impede their passage, but also to avoid the Danger of being inclosed in this Angle of the River. And notwithstanding...
268From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having received intelligence through Two intercepted Letters, that Genl Howe had detached a part of his force for the purpose of reducing Billingsport and the Forts on Delaware, I communicated the Accounts to my Genl Officers, who were unanimously of Opinion, that a favourable Opportunity offered to make an Attack upon the Troops, which were at & near German Town. It was accordingly agreed,...
269From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Upon information that Major Rogers was travelling thro’ the Country under suspicious circumstances I thought it necessary to have him secured. I therefore sent after him. He was taken at South Amboy and brought up to New York. Upon examination he informed Me that he came from New Hampshire, the Country of his usual Abode, where [he] had left his family; and pretended he was destined to...
270From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor to address your Excellency under the 25th June last—requestg that you would be pleased to order 600, of the Militia of your State, which I Supposed to be raising under a former Requisition, to be sent to Albany for the Protection of the Northern & Western Frontier of the State of N. york—to this Letter (as indeed to several others of much earlier Date) I have not had the...
271From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Col. Hand having informed me that he means to purchase Regimentals for his Battallion in Philadelphia, I must take the liberty to request you will have the Nine Thousand dollars resolved by Congress on the 12 Ulto to be paid him here for that purpose, to be advanced to him or his order there. The state of our Chest is extremely low and many pressing demands against It, besides as the Cloaths...
272From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
One thousand Militia in addition to four hundred Troops having been deemed necessary to the security of the fleet, in the harbour of Newport, after the departure of the land Forces, I am to request Your Excellency to give orders for Five hundred from the State of Massachusetts to repair to Rhode Island as soon as they shall be demanded by His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau—The State of...
273From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Captain Manly of the Lee armed Schooner took & Sent into Beverly the sloop Betsey, A. Atkinson Master, She is an armed vessell, dispatchd by Lord Dunmore with Indian Corn, Potatoes & Oats for the Army in Boston—the paquetts of Letters found on board I have the honour to send you with this, by Captain James Chambers, they being of So Much importance that I do not think, it woud be prudent, to...
274From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the Honour of addressing you the 14th Instt, I have received Advice from Govr Trumbull, that the Assembly of Connecticut had voted, & that they are now raising two Regiments of 700 Men each, in Consequence of an Application from the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay. The Rhode Island Assembly has also made an Augmentation for this Purpose: these Reinforcements, with...
275From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 25th I received on Monday Afternoon. You have my warmest wishes for your recovery, and I shall be happy, if your recess should be attended with benefits superior to your most sanguine expectations. Your exertions to promote the Genl Interest I am well convinced will be unceasing and that every measure, the situation of your health will permit you to pursue will be employed to...
276From George Washington to John Hancock, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you Yesterday, I received a Letter from Genl Lee. On the 30th Ulto he was at Peeks Kills, and expected to pass the River with his division two days after. From this intelligence you will readily conclude, that he will not be able to afford us any aid for several days. The report of Genl Sinclair’s having Joined him with Three or four Regiments, I believe to...
277From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am just setting out, to attempt a second passage over the Delaware with the Troops that were with me on the morning of the 26th. I am determined to effect it, if possible but know that it will be attended with much fatigue & difficulty on account of the Ice, which will neither allow us to cross on Foot, or give us an easy passage with Boats. Genl Cadwalader crossed from Bristol on the 27th...
278From George Washington to John Hancock, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honored with your Letter of the 25th with sundry Resolves of Congress. Such of them as are necessary for my government & conduct, I shall strictly attend to. The Money and Bills for our prisoners, had better be transmitted to Elias Boudinot, Esquire, to whom I shall give directions, to adopt ways and means for sending the same, and for a proper appropriation and distribution...
279From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to you the inclosed Letter from Lt Colo. Livingston with Sundry Copies of Genl Delancey’s Orders, which discover the measures the Enemy are pursuing on Long Island for raising Recruits and obtaining supplies of provisions; in consequence of the intelligence they contain and authentic advices thro other Channels respecting these matters, I have sent Brigadr...
280From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Congress, that immediately after the receipt of their Resolve of the 26th of March, recommending the Office of Adjutant General to be filled by the Appointment of a person of Abilities, and unsuspected attachment to our Cause, I wrote to Colo. Timothy Pickering of Salem, offering him the post in the first instance, and transmitting at the same time a Letter for Colo....
281II. 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...
282From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the plan of Campaign must depend entirely on the means that are put into my hands, of which I have scarcely a conjectural knowledge at this time—and, on the force of the Enemy at their different Posts—I shall be obliged to your Excellency (as the communication between Boston & Hallifax is open to Flags, which frequently pass) for the most accurate account which you can obtain, covertly, of...
283From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have so often, and so fully communicated my want of Arms to Congress that I should not have given them the trouble of receiving another Letter upon this Subject, at this time, but for the particular application of Colo. Wain of Pensylvania who has pointed out a method by which he thinks they may be obtain’d. In the hands of the Committee of safety at Philadelphia, there are, According to...
284From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Congress that General Wooster has repaired to Head Quarters in obedience to their Resolve transmitted him, and shall be extremely glad If they will give me such further direction about him, as they may conceive necessary—he is desirous of seeing his family in Connecticut as I am informed having been a good while from It—I shall wait their Instructions as to his future...
285From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to you last, I have recd the inclosed from Genl Mcdougal which contains a full account of the late affair at peekskill. Every prudential step appears to have been taken by the General, and as good a disposition made as his small Number of men would admit of. I have heard nothing further respecting the embarkation of Troops which I mentioned in my last, I am in...
286From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favors of the 8 & 10th Instts with their several Inclosures. I shall pay attention to the Resolution respecting Lieutt Josiah, and attempt to releive him from his rigorous Usage. Your Letters to such of the Gentn as were here, have been delivered—the rest will be sent by the first Opportunity. Since my last of the 8 & 9th the Enemy have made no movements of...
287From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since closing the Letters which accompany this I have received an Account of the Destruction of the Light House, a Copy of which I have the Honour to inclose & of again assuring you that I am with great Respect, Sir Your most Obed. Hbble Serv. P.S. I have also received a more authentick Account of the Loss of the Enemy in the late Battle than any yet receivd. Doctr Winship who lodg’d in the...
288From George Washington to John Hancock, 8–9 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing you Yesterday, I have been favoured with a Letter from the Honble Council of Massachusetts bay, covering One from Richard Derby Esqr., a Copy of which is herewith transmitted, as it contains intelligence of an important and interesting nature. As an Exchange of prisoners is about to take place, I am induced from a Question stated in a Letter I received from...
289From George Washington to John Hancock, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you on the 5th Instt nothing material has occurred. Inclosed, you will be pleased to receive a General Return of our Forces in Jersey, the 6th Instant, which is the first, I have been able to obtain with any degree of accuracy. I have not heard from Genl DeHaw’s since his promotion. As soon as I was informed of it, I wrote & requested him to repair to Camp,...
290From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received a Letter from General Schuyler containing inclosures of a very important nature, Copies of which I imagine are contained in the inclosed Letter to you, & which I thought it my duty immediately to forward by Express, that they may be laid before the honorable Congress and proper measures pursued to prevent the fatal effects which are therein apprehended. For my own...
291From George Washington to John Hancock, 30–31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 6th & 20th Instant, I received yesterday with the several resolves of Congress alluded to, for which I return you my thanks. Knowing the great Importance Canada will be of to us in the present Interesting contest, and the releif our Friends there stand in need of, I should be happy, were It in my power to detach a Batallion from this Camp, But It cannot be done—On the 19...
292From George Washington to John Hancock, 25 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor to address you last, it was on the Subject of the Enemy’s retreat from Brunswick to Amboy and of the measures pursued to annoy them. At the time of writing, the information I had received respecting their loss was rather vague and uncertain; But we have reason to believe from intelligence through various Channels since, that it was pretty considerable and fell cheifly on...
293From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you last, an important Event has taken place; of which I wish to give you the earliest Intelligence. The preservation of the Passage of the North River was an Object of so much Consequence that I thought no pains or Expence too great for that purpose, and therefore after sending off all the valuable Stores except such as were necessary for its Defence, I...
294From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 26th Instt accompanied by sundry Resolves of Congress & some other papers. The arrival of the Arms—Locks & Flints you have been pleased to mention, is a most fortunate & happy event. I join you most sincerely in congratulations upon the occasion. I have not yet obtained a certain account of the expedition against & destruction of Peek’s...
295From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a Copy of a Letter from Genl Gates to Genl Schuyler, and of another paper containing intelligence respecting the Northern Army, and the situation of the Enemy in that department. they this minute came to hand, and to them I beg leave to refer you for particulars. By every information I can obtain, and the accounts I had last night by Two deserters, who were...
296From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this morning returned from the Head of Elk, which I left last night. In respect to the Enemy, I have nothing new to communicate. they remain where they debarked first. I could not find out from inquiry what number is landed—nor form an estimate of It, from the distant view i had of their Encampment, But few Tents were to be seen from Iron Hill and Greys Hill, which are the only eminences...
297From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of July 20. came safely to hand, together with the Memorial of Monsieur de Latombe of the 7th of June and the Resolve of the legislature of Massachusetts of the 24th of the same month. on considering the nature of the difficulties which have occurred in the execution of the Consular convention, they appeared to be such as could not be removed but by a legislative act. when these...
298From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your letter of the 3d Inst., with its inclosures. General Arnolds promotion gives me much pleasure; he has certainly discoverd in every instance where he has had an opportunity, much bravery, activity and enterprise; But what will be done about his Rank? he will not act most probably under those he commanded but a few weeks ago. I trust the appointment of Mr...
299From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon the Enemy totally evacuated Amboy and encamped Opposite to it on Staten Island. General Scot entered directly after, and posting Guards to secure any Stores they might have left, he withdrew his Brigade & halted about Four Miles from thence. This it was expedient to do, It being night when he entered, and his remaining there might have induced the Enemy, whose Boats were...
300From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to Inform Congress that I arrived here yesterday Afternoon about One OClock, and found all in a state of peace & quiet. I had not time to view the works carrying on & those ordered to be begun when I went away, but have reason to beleive from the report of such of the General & other Officers I had the pleasure to see, that they have been prosecuted & forwarded with all...