181From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The design of this is to inform Congress, that at about half after three oClock this Evening Two of the Enemies Ships of War, one of Forty and the other of Twenty Guns with three Tenders weighed Anchor in the bay opposite Staten Island and availing themselves of a brisk & favourable breeze with a flowing Tide run past our Batteries up the North river without receiving any certain damage that I...
182From George Washington to John Hancock, 28 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writeing to you the 19th Instant. I have now to inform you that Henery Knox Esqr. is gone to New york, with orders to forward to this place, what Cannon & Ordnance Stores, Can be there procured, from thence, he will proceed to General Schuyler, on the Same business, as you will see by the inclosed Copy of instructions which I have given him —it woud give Me Much...
183From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 26th inclosing letters for Comodore Hazelwood and Capt. Alexander which I have forwarded to them. Lt Colo. Smith must have arrived at Fort Mifflin two days ago, as I heard from him at Ancocus Creek in the Jerseys. Colo. Nichola was in the Fort with about 60 of his Regt of Invalids and two Companies of Artillery of thirty each, and I advised him to withdraw what...
184From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 8th Instt accompanied by Sundry Resolutions of Congress, to which I shall pay the strictest attention and in the Instances required make them the future Rule of my conduct. The Mode of Negotiation pursued by Lord Howe I did not approve of, But as Genl Sullivan was sent out upon the business and with a Message to Congress, I could not conceive...
185From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to appoint Mr Wilper to the command of a Company in the German Batallion now raising, I have directed him to repair to Philadelphia for their orders. From my acquaintance with him, I am persuaded his conduct as an Officer will meet their approbation, and thanking them for their kind attention to my recommendation of him I have the honor to be with Sentiments of the...
186From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
On my return to this place last evening from White Clay creek, I was honored with yours of the 27th, with sundry resolves of Congress, to which I shall pay due attention. The enemy advanced a part of their army yesterday to Gray’s hill about two miles on this side of Elk, whether with intent to take post there, or to cover while they remove what stores they found in the town, I cannot yet...
187George Washington to John Hancock, 17 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 17, 1777. Seeks information concerning Du Portail’s request to Congress for horses and servants at public expense. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Colonel Louis Le Bèque (Le Begue) Du Portail was sent to America in July, 1777. Congress appointed him chief engineer with the rank of colonel. He was given the rank of...
188From George Washington to John Hancock, 26 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy, came to my hands. The account is confirmed by a Countryman who is since come in—but nothing distinct has yet been received. The aid required of me in Colo. Hay’s Letter cannot be given. I have no men to oppose the Enemy’s designs in any one quarter, altho’ called upon from every Quarter. All that was possible for me to do towards collecting...
189George Washington to John Hancock, 22 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 22, 1777. Acknowledges receipt of news that enemy is in Chesapeake Bay. Informs Hancock of orders given to Colonel Thomas Proctor, Brigadier General Francis Nash, Major General John Sullivan, and the Army at Headquarters. Approves of removal of stores from Lancaster and York.
190From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The post being about to depart I have only time to add, That no event of importance has taken place on this side Hudson’s River since my last of the 22d Instt. The Inclosed Letter received last night from Genl Greene, who now commands in the Jerseys, will give Congress all the information I have respecting the evacuation of powles Hook and the landing of the Enemy to possess It. I this minute...
191From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to inform you, that the account of Genl Mercer’s death, transmitted in my last, was premature, though it was mentioned as certain by many who saw him after he was wounded; By intelligence from princeton yesterday evening, he was alive, and seemed as if he would do well; Unhappily he is a prisoner. had it not been for the information I had of his death, I would have tried to have...
192VIII: To John Hancock, 11 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that in this days engagement we have been obliged to leave the enemy masters of the field. Unfortunately the intelligence received of the enemy’s advancing up the Brandywine, & crossing at a ford about six miles above us, was uncertain & contradictory, notwithstanding all my pains to get the best. This prevented my making a disposition adequate to the force with which...
193From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
As my Letter of the 16th contained Intelligence of an Important nature, and such as might lead Congress to expect, that the evacuation of New York and retreat to the Heights of Harlem in the manner they were made, would be succeeded by some other Interesting event, I beg leave to inform them, that as yet nothing has been attempted upon a large and general plan of Attack. About the time of the...
194From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only time to acknowledge the honor of your Letter of the 5th Instt and Its Several Inclosures, and to inform you, that agreable to the Resolves of Congress I shall use every measure in my power that the moving & present confused State of the Army will admit of, for to appoint Officers for recruiting. You will have been advised before this of the arrival of Commissioners from the...
195From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter came under s⟨uch⟩ a Direction, & Circumstances as led me to supp⟨ose⟩ it contained some interesting Advices, either respecting a Supply of Powder; or the Cloathing lately taken at Philadelphia: I therefore took the Liberty of breaking the Seal; for which I hope the Service & my Motives will apoligize. As the filling up the Place of vacant Brigadier General, will probably be...
196From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received the favor of Mr Thompson’s Letter, inclosing the Proceedings of Congress of the 11th Instt. As the publication of their Resolve in my opinion will not lead to any good end, but on the contrary may be attended with some bad consequences, I shall take the liberty to decline inserting it in this days Orders, I am persuaded if the Subject is taken up & reconsidered, that...
197From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
The very favorable opinion you are pleased to entertain of my public conduct, and the kind expressions of personal friendship you have had the goodness to repeat in your Letter of the 15th Ulto could not fail to receive my warmest acknowledgments; had not the higher Motives of esteem & attachment already rivitted my affections to you. Accipt my best thanks for the present testimony of your...
198From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you, that the Army marched early this Morning, & will encamp, I expect, this Evening within Five or Six Miles of Philadelphia. To Morrow morning it will move again, and I think to march it through the City, but without halting. I am induced to do this, from the Opinion of Several of my Officers & Many Friends in Philadelphia, that it may have some influence on the minds...
199From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the honor to write to you the 29th I have recd the inclosed intelligence. As it comes from a person of Veracity, and one who is much in the confidence of the Enemy, I have no doubt as to the fact of the two Brigades having come over from New York to Amboy, and also that a Number of Waggons have been brought from Staten and Long Island. These accounts are corroborated by...
200From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was this day honored with the receipt of your favor of the 20th Instt. I have now the pleasure to acquaint you that the four Regiments design’d for Canada embarked Yesterday with a fair Wind for Albany under the Command of Colonels Greaton, Patterson, Bond & Poor, besides which there was a Company of Rifle Men, a Company of Artificers and two Engineers—The whole commanded by Brigadier...
201From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this Morning honored with your Letter of the 10th Instt accompanied by the proceedings of Congress of the day before. The conduct of too many Officers, in withholding the pay of their Soldiers, I am persuaded, is reprehensible, and has been the cause of uneasiness & of many desertions. Every measure in my power, will be exerted to prevent such Abuses in future, and every aid given to...
202From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys letter of the 10th inst. enclosing a Resolve of the Senate & House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and sundry documents relative to the Eastern boundary of the United States. Previous to the receipt of your Excellency’s letter I had laid this subject before the Senate of the United States for their consideration, with such...
203From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you last nothing of importance has transpired, tho from some movements yesterday on the part of the Enemy it would seem as if something was Intended. The inclosed memorial from Lieut. Colo. Sheppard of the 4th Regiment, I beg leave to submit to the consideration of Congress, and shall only add that I could wish they would promote him to the Command of the...
204From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just now received a Letter from Genl Schuyler of the 14th Inst. inclosing the Proceedings of the Council of War, which he alludes to, a Copy of which and of his Letter, I herewith transmit. He represents matters in a distressing point of view. I beleive they are bad—but, I hope, they are not so alarming as they are painted by him. My Letter of the 12th would advise Congress, how far his...
205From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your Letter of the 17th Instt covering Sundry Resolutions of Congress, which shall have my attention. Having charged Major General Greene, who will probably be in philadelphia to day, with such matters as I wished to refer to the consideration of Congress, I have nothing to trouble them with at this time, or material to inform them of. I have the Honor to be with...
206George Washington to John Hancock, 28 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 20th. 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...
207From George Washington to John Hancock, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you, the inclosed Copy of a Letter from Genl Lee received by a Flag on Tuesday last. you will perceive from thence his wishes & expectations of seeing some Members of Congress in consequence of his Letter upon that Subject. None of the passports which he mentions were sent out, though the Letter came by Genl How’s permission, as the Others did. I should be...
208From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to congratulate Congress on the Captivity of Major Genl Prescot & One of his Aids. The particulars of this fortunate event, you will find in the Inclosed Extract of a Letter this Minute received from Genl Spencer, which I presume are at large in the packet Mr Greenleaf will deliver. Lt Colo. Barton & the Small handfull under his Command, who conducted the Enterprize have great...
209From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to Inform you that on the 4th Instant I set out from Cambridge and arrived here on Saturday last—I came thro Providence, Norwich and New London in order to see and expedite the embarkation of the Troops—The third Brigade under the command of General Green was at New London when I left It, where there was a sufficient number of Transports to embark them, and most probably wou’d have...
210George Washington to John Hancock, 28 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 28, 1777. Recommends Count Casimir Pulaski to command cavalry. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Pulaski was a Polish officer recommended to Washington by Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee. He later commanded an independent corps of cavalry known as Pulaski’s Legion.