To George Washington from Edward Hand, 27 February 1790
From Edward Hand
Philad[elphi]a 27th Feby 1790
Sir
I hope your Excelly will excuse the liberty I take in sending you the inclosed,1 and believe me to be, with every Sentiment of respect your Excellencies most obedient and most humble Servant
Edwd Hand
ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.
Edward Hand (1744–1802) came to America from Ireland in 1767 as surgeon’s mate of Col. William Thompson’s regiment of riflemen. In 1772 he resigned from the British army to practice medicine in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He served in the Continental army throughout the war, becoming a brigadier general in 1777 and adjutant general in January 1781. After the war Hand returned to the practice of medicine in Lancaster and served in the Confederation Congress in 1784 and 1785. Under the new government he was active in Federalist politics both in Pennsylvania and on a national level.
1. The enclosures have not been identified. On 3 Mar. GW replied to Hand’s letter: “I have received your letter of the 27th Ulto with its enclosures; and must request you to accept my thanks for your trouble in transmitting the same to me” (DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters).