To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 August 1777
From John Hancock
Philada 1 August 1777. 7 OClock P.M.
Sir
An Express having this moment Arriv’d from Cape May with a Letter, Copy of which I have the honour to Inclose you, by which it appears that the Fleet which was suppos’d to be destin’d for the Delaware had stood off & Steer’d to the Eastward.1 I thought proper to Transmit this Intelligence to you by Express, & will not detain him further than to Assure you that I am with the utmost respect, Sir Your most Obedt hum. set
John Hancock Presidt
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Hancock enclosed a copy of John Hunn’s letter to him from Cape May, N.J., of 31 July: “At eight this morning the fleet stood off steering E.N.E. & are now out of sight, and have been so these three hours. This morning I was with many others of opinion they were bound up the Delaware, but as they could have got in this morning and did not, I am now of opinion they are makeing a feint, if so, they have a fresh wind at S.S.W. which will carry them to the Eastward very fast, This is the fifth Express, I believe their whole fleet was in sight, thô I could count only one hundred & ninety sail. I shall send off an Express if the fleet appears, if not I shall come up myself in a few days” (DLC:GW).