1The 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...
2To 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...
3To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you by Alexander the Express nothing has Taken place in Congress that particularly Respects your Department. By Direction of the Congress I now Transmitt you by Mr Fessenden our Return Express, the Rules & Articles pass’d by Congress for the Government of the Troops under your Command, I wish them safe to hand. I have not Time to add, but that I am with much Respect, Sir Your...
4To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, nothing has Taken place in Congress particularly Respecting your Department. I by order of Congress forward you the Declaration, & Address to the People of England. I must beg the favour you will Reserve some birth for me, in such Department as you may Judge most proper, for I am Determin’d to Act under you, if it be to take the firelock & Join the Ranks as a Volunteer. I...
5To 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...
6To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th inst. with the enclosed papers being duly received was laid before Congress and immediately taken into consideration. In answer to the several matters therein contained I am to inform you, that the Congress appointed a committee to enquire what quantity of light Sail Cloth, Sheeting and Oznabrigs could be obtained in this town for the purpose of making Tents, and in...
7To 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...
8To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Upon considering your Letter of 4th August, the following Points appear’d so exceedingly important, that I am Directed to Desire you will Consult such of your Officers as you think proper, upon the most prudent & effectual Methods of Accomplishing them. These are the Continuation of the Army, now under your Command, in the Service of the Continent after the terms of Enlistment shall have been...
9To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters No. 4, 5 and two other Letters not Numberd, with the Inclosures have been duly Receiv’d and laid before Congress. As there are sundry matters contain’d in your Letters which are of great importance, and on which the Congress, before they come to a final Determination, are Desirous to have the Advantage of your Experience and Knowledge; They have Appointed three of their Members,...
10To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have this Day order’d Three Hundred Thousand Dollars in Addition to the Seven hundred Thousand to be Sent to the Paymaster for the use of the Army under your Command, which the Committee appointed to Confer with you have taken Charge of, and of which I have inform’d the Pay Master General. By order of Congress I inclose you several Resolutions enter’d into by them; with respect to...
11To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having this day Rec’d certain Intelligence of the Sailing of Two North Country built Brigantines, of no Force, from England on the 11th of August last, loaded with Six thousand Stand of Arms, a large Quantity of Powder & other Stores for Quebec, without Convoy, and as it is of great importance if possible to intercept them, I am order’d by the Congress to Give you this...
12To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
By a very intelligent person just arrived from London we have certain intelligence that a large number of Brass cannon from 24 to 4 pounders are preparing at the tower and were to be sent to Boston immediately, that 400 of the train of artilery were to be sent with them; that transports were taken up by Government to carry several regiments from Ireland to New york, that 17 of the transports...
13To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Captn John Macpherson having informed the Congress, that he had invented a method, by which with their leave, he would take or destroy every ministerial armed vessel in North America, they appointed Govr Hopkins Mr Randolph & Mr J. Rutledge to confer with him on the subject, for he would not consent to communicate the secret to any but a committee & you. These Gentlemen reported, that the...
14To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am suddenly Call’d upon by the Congress to Dispatch an Express to you, which gives me time only to Inform you that the Congress having Taken into consideration the Report of the Committee appointed to Confer with you, have come to severall Resolutions; which by their order I here Inclose —They have not yet gone thro’ the Report, when Acted upon, the Resolutions they may Adopt will be...
15To 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...
16To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your severall Letters from the time the Committee left the Camp to the 19th of November inclusive being duly Rec’d, were laid before Congress, on which, as well as on the Report from their Committee, they have Come to sundry further Resolutions, which I have the honour to inclose you —The Money order’d is getting ready and will be forwarded with all possible Expedition—The Congress have...
17To 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...
18To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 28 of November by Captn Blewer being received was immediately laid before Congress. By my letter of the 2d instant, which I hope you will in due time receive, you will perceive the Congress have in a great measure prevented your wishes, having written to New york and given orders to General Schuyler to supply you with and forward with all possible expedition what cannon can...
19To George Washington from John Hancock, 22 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 30th of November and of the 4th 7th & 11 of December being duly received were laid before Congress. To prevent the ill consequences, that might ensue from the backwardness of the men in the present service to reinlist, the Congress, as I informed you in my last, have written to the governors of Connecticut & Rhode-island, the council of Massachusetts bay and the president...
20To George Washington from John Hancock, 6–21 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing you sundry resolutions passed yesterday respecting Mr Lowell. The Congress are desirous to know your opinion what rank it would be proper the aids de camp of the general Officers ought to hold in the army and on this head I am directed to write to you & request yr answer. Just after the receipt of your letter Conolly & Cameron were brought to town. By some...
21To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Captn F. Gurney has the Charge of conducting 500.000 dollars for the use of the army under your command I wish it safe to hand, I shall this evening dispatch an express to you with sundry matters of importance. I am Sr your obedient humble Servt LS , DLC:GW . Francis Gurney (1738–1815), a veteran of the French and Indian War who had become a successful merchant in Philadelphia, was...
22To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
In my former letter I mentioned the disagreeable news we received from Canada. The Congress have taken that matter under consideration and having examined Mr Antil and duly deliberated on the situation of our affairs in that quarter they have come to sundry resolutions which I have the honor to enclose. I would just observe that by Mr Antil’s examination it appears our loss is greater then...
23To George Washington from John Hancock, 29 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress have received your letter of the 19th Instant, and highly commend your prudence and zeal in applying to the Governments of New Hampshire Massachusetts bay and Connecticut to raise forces for the service of Canada at this exigency. They have fond hopes by the zeal and alacrity of those Colonies troops will be forwarded with such expedition as will not only succour our friends but...
24To George Washington from John Hancock, 12 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of 24th & 30th ulto have been duly Rec’d, and laid before the Congress, are now with their severall Inclosures under the Consideration of a Committee, as soon as Report is made, I shall do myself the honour to Transmitt you the Result of Congress thereupon. I yesterday morng Rec’d an Express from General Lee, requesting an Augmentation of Troops, Congress immediately directed one...
25To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have had the Honour of receiving your Letters of the 24th and 30th of January 9th 14th 18th and 21st and 26th of February, which were communicated to Congress. On the Settlements and Adjustment of the Accounts, the Congress have not yet come to any Determination; nor have they yet had Time to contrive Expedients for remedying the Inconveniencies mentioned in that of the 9th...
26To 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...
27To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment honour’d with your favr of 13th by Express which I shall lay before Congress in the Morning; I expect immediately to be order’d to Dispatch the first Fessenden to you, when I shall have the honour to write you very particularly. This is only to Inform you that I have Sent Two hundred & Fifty Thousand Dollars for the use of the Army under your Command, to the Care of Thomas...
28To 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...
29IV. John Hancock to George Washington, 2 April 1776 (Adams Papers)
It gives me the most sensible Pleasure to convey to you, by Order of Congress, the only Tribute, which a free People will ever consent to Pay; the Tribute of Thanks and Gratitude to their Friends and Benefactors. The disinterested and patriotic Principles which led you to the Field, have also led you to Glory: and it affords no little Consolation to your Countrymen to reflect, that, as a...
30To George Washington from John Hancock, 2 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
It gives me the most sensible Pleasure to convey to you, by Order of Congress, the only Tribute, which a free People will ever consent to Pay; the Tribute of Thanks and Gratitude to their Friends and Benefactors. The disinterested and patriotic Principles which led you to the Field, have also led you to Glory: and it affords no little Consolation to your Countrymen to reflect, that, as a...
31To 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...
32To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 24th and 27th of March, the 1t 4th and 15th Inst. I had the Honour of receiving in the Order of their Dates, by the last of which, I learn with Pleasure, that you had safely arrived at New York. The Dispositions you made to expedite the Embarkation of the Troops, were highly proper and judicious. Too much Dispatch cannot be used in sending the Battalions to Quebec;...
33To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The polite Attention which your Goodness has induced you to pay to me and my private Affairs, particular[l]y while you were at Boston, makes me take the Liberty of requesting you to spare your Aid De Camp a few Days. If Mr Palfrey could, consistent with the Service, be permitted to pass two or three Days with me in this City, on Business of Importance to me, I shall esteem it a particular...
34To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 19th of April enclosing several Papers: all which were immediately laid before Congress. The important Intelligence they contain, makes it necessary that the most vigorous Measures should be adopted, as well to defend our Troops against the Canadians themselves, as to ensure Success to the Expedition. The Congress being determined on the...
35To George Washington from John Hancock, 25 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Deliver’d in Charge to Mr Hanson & Cox Three Hundred Thousand Dollars for the Service of the Army in Canada, & have directed them by order of Congress to Deliver the same to you, and am to Request you will please to order it to be Sent to General Schuyler at Albany under the Care of an Officer & some of the Troops destin’d for Canada to be Deliver’d General Schuyler. Your favrs of 22d &...
36To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolve of Congress respecting the Rifle Battalions and independant Rifle Companies, would have been transmitted sooner, had it not been omitted through a Mistake. I do myself the Pleasure of forwarding at this Time several Resolves of Congress relative to such Parts of your Letters as have hitherto come under Consideration. I propose writing more fully by Mr Palfrey who will set...
37To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having accepted the Resignation of the honorable James Warren as Paymaster General, have been pleased to appoint William Palfrey Esqr. to succeed him in that Department. I have wrote to Mr Warren to acquaint him that there are Superintendants of the Treasury appointed to whom he is to render his Accounts and Vouchers. I have also directed Mr Winthrop to deliver to Mr Palfrey all...
38To 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...
39To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you by Mr Palfrey on the 30th of last Month, I have not been honored with any Commands from Congress relative to your Letters, except the enclosed Resolve which I am ordered to forward to you. I have the Honour to be Sir your most obedt and very humble Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC , item 12A. Hancock here struck out the words “under the Hand of the Secretary” on both copies...
40To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 5th and 7th Inst., which I had the Honour of laying before Congress. By the enclosed Resolves you will perceive the Sense of Congress upon some Parts of your Letters. The others are under the Consideration of different Committees. As soon as I am authorized, I will do myself the Pleasure of immediately transmitting the Result....
41To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have delivered in Charge to Captn Lenox and Co. four Hundred Thousand Dollars, contained in six Boxes, for the Use of the Troops in New York, and Massachusetts Bay. The particular Disposition of it with Regard to the latter of these Colonies, I cannot at present ascertain. I will therefore lay the Matter before Congress this Day, and inform you by tomorrow’s Post of the Result. The Secret...
42To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose you several Resolutions passed by the Congress, to which I beg Leave to refer you. The Congress being of Opinion, that it is necessary, as well for your Health, as the public Service, that you should embrace the earliest opportunity of coming to Philadelphia, have directed me to write to you, and request, that you will repair to Philada as soon as you can...
43To 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...
44To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry it is not in my Power to wait on you in Person to execute the Commands of Congress. But being deprived of that Pleasure by a severe Fit of the Gout, I am under the Necessity of taking this Method to acquaint you, That the Congress have directed me in their Name, to make the Thanks of that Body to you, for the unremitted Attention you have paid to your important Trust; and...
45To George Washington from John Hancock, 5–6 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having this Day made several Promotions in the Army of the United Colonies, and established some Rules for the future Direction of the Deputy Commissaries general, Deputy Quarter Master General &c. I do myself the Pleasure to enclose you a Copy of the same. I have delivered Col. Reed his Commission, and have sent Mr Whitecom Mr Mercer, and Mr Moyland theirs. Should you stand in...
46To George Washington from John Hancock, 7 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter from the Commissioners in Canada, I am commanded by Congress to transmit to you. The Contents of it are truly alarming. Our Army in that Quarter is almost ruined for Want of Discipline, and every Thing else necessary to constitute an Army, or to keep Troops together. The Congress, in this Situation of our Affairs, have resolved that Genl Wooster be recalled from Canada. I...
47To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Letters of 7th 8th and 9th Instant. The two first I have read in Congress. We have been two Days in a Committee of the Whole deliberating on three Capital Matters, the most important in their Nature of any that have yet been before us; & have sat till 7 O’Clock in the Evening each Day. That not being finished I judged best to return the Express. I shall press Congress...
48To 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...
49To George Washington from John Hancock, 14–16 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely happy to have it in my Power to assure you that the several Matters referred to Congress in your Letters, will receive a speedy Determination. With great Pleasure I shall transmit you the Result, as soon as I am ordered. I enclose to you, at this Time, sundry important Resolves, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention. You will there perceive that Congress have ordered 9000...
50To 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...