To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 September 1777
From John Hancock
Philada September 3d 1777.
Sir,
I have Nothing in Charge from Congress at this Time, but to transmit the enclosed Resolves, to which I must refer your Attention.1
General Sullivan’s Expedition on Staten Island having ended in the Loss and Defeat of a considerable Number of the Troops under his Command;2 the Congress have directed a Court of Enquiry to be instituted relative to the Expedition.
You will please to order Colonel Richardson[’s] Battalion on such Duty as you may judge most proper.
Your two Favours of the 1st inst. I have been duely honoured with.
I forward herewith a Number of blank Commissions for the Use of the Army in two Bundles, and have the Honour to be, with the utmost Respect Sir, your most obed. & very hble Servt
John Hancock Presidt
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 12A.
1. Hancock enclosed a resolution of 1 Sept. directing GW to appoint a court of inquiry on John Sullivan’s conduct during his recent raid on Staten Island and a resolution of 2 Sept. empowering GW to dispose of Col. William Richardson’s regiment as he thought proper (DLC:GW; see also : 8:700, 706).
2. At this place on the manuscript of the LS, the following text is struck out: “and it appearing from some Circumstances that his Conduct is not altogether free from Censure.” The same wording is struck out on the manuscript of the letter-book copy.