From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 March 1777
To John Hancock
Morristown March 29th 1777.
Sir
Since I had the Honor of addressing you this morning by the Return Express, the Eastern post arrived. The Intelligence he brought, is agreable and interesting, as you will perceive by the inclosed Letter from Mr Hazard which I do myself the pleasure of transmitting you.1 I am happy to say, the arrival of the Ship at portsmouth, and the capture of the two prizes, is confirmed, by other Letters from Gentlemen of Note in and about Boston. Upon these events I give you my most hearty congratulations. Some of the Letters add, that a French General, Coll and Major came passengers in the Ship who are highly recommended by Doctr Franklin.
The Affair of Peeks Kills has not been transmitted me with certainty, but I am informed, the relation of it in Loudons Paper, which I have inclosed, is nearly as it happened.2 I have the Honor to be Sir Yr Most Obedt Sert
Go: Washington
LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 1 April (, 7:213). GW on this date also wrote a personal letter to Hancock that reads: “General Washington presents his complim’ts & grateful thanks to Mr. Hancock for his valuable present of Fish . . . nothing could be more acceptable. The Genl. tho’ exceeding fond of Salt Fish, is happy enough never to think of it unless it is placed before him, for which reason it would give him concern if Mr. Hancock should put himself to the least trouble in forwarding any to Camp on his Acc’t. The Genl. begs leave to offer his respectful Compl’ts. to Mrs Hancock, in which Mrs. Washington & Mr Custis joins him.—as they also do to Miss Quincey” (ALS, sold by Charles Hamilton Autographs, Inc., catalog no. 144, item 193, 4 Mar. 1982).
2. Samuel Loudon, Sr. (c.1727–1813), published the weekly New-York Packet, and the American Advertiser at Fishkill, N.Y., from 16 Jan. 1777 to 28 Aug. 1783, when he moved the newspaper back to New York City, where he had published it before the British occupied the city in 1776. The account of the British raid on Peekskill of 23–25 Mar. appeared in the 27 Mar. issue of the newspaper (see Alexander McDougall to GW, this date, and note 4).