John Hancock Letters for the years 1775 thru 1789

Philadelphia, PA - 30 September 1775

Your letters, Numbers Four and Five, and two other letters not numbered, with the inclosures, have been duly received and laid before the Congress.

Philadelphia, PA - 5 October 1775

If the vessels in the service of the Massachusetts Bay can be readily obtained, you are to employ them, and others, if you should think more necessary, to effect the purposes aforesaid if they can not, you will employ such as can be soonest fitted ou

Philadelphia, PA - 8 December 1775

They have also directed General Schuyler to make diligent search for lead ; and, retaining so much as may be wanted there, to send the remainder to your camp.

Philadelphia, PA - 22 December 1775

I am authorized to inform you, that it is the pleasure of Congress that Mr. Mifflin, the Quartermaster-General, hold the rank of Colonel in the Army of the United Colonies, and that you establish his rank accordingly.

Philadelphia, PA - 16 January 1776

By the inclosed resolutions, you will perceive that the Congress, in providing for the defence of Canada, have directed that two battalions should be raised out of the troops now serving there.

Philadelphia, PA - 20 January 1776

The Congress are anxious, as Avell from motives of policy as of justice and humanity, to repair our losses in that quarter, and, if possible, to gain possession of Quebec, and drive our enemies out of that country before they can be reinforced in the

Philadelphia, PA - 29 January 1776

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.

Philadelphia, PA - 6 March 1776

The Congress highly approve your care and attention in stopping Lord Drummond's letter, and entirely concur with you in sentiment with regard to his Lordship's officious and unwarrantable zeal.

Philadelphia, PA - 25 March 1776

I had the honor of receiving, yesterday, yours of the 19th, containing the agreeable information of the Ministerial troops having abandoned Boston.

Philadelphia, PA - 23 April 1776

The Congress being determined on the reduction of Quebec, and the security of that country, for reasons too obvious to be mentioned, have left nothing undone which can any ways contribute to that end.

Philadelphia, PA - 16 May 1776

[I] cannot help expressing the very great pleasure it would afford both Mrs. Hancock and my self to have the happiness of accommodating you during your stay in this city.

Philadelphia, PA - 11 June 1776

The Congress have agreed to settle the mode of paying the troops in the Eastern Department this morning, and to proceed to the appointment of a Deputy Paymaster-General.

Philadelphia, PA - 18 June 1776

they have bent their whole attention to our affairs in Canada, and have adopted such measures, as, in their opinion, are calculated to place them on a better and more reputable footing for the future.

Philadelphia, PA - 21 June 1776

The Congress, having the greatest reason to believe there has been very gross misconduct in the management of our affairs in Canada, have come to a resolution to have a general inquiry made into the behaviour of the officers employed on that expediti

Philadelphia, PA - 25 June 1776

I am, however, to request you will give orders to have a stop put to raising the Mohegan and Stockbridge Indians, as soon as possible.

Philadelphia, PA - 6 July 1776

the Congress have judged it necessary to dissolve the connection between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and to declare them free and independent States, as you will perceive by the in closed DECLARATION

Philadelphia, PA - 13 July 1776

Should the United States of America give their sanction to the Jesuitical and villanous distinction which Captain Forster adopts to justify his conduct, there would be no end to butchering our prisoners.

Philadelphia, PA - 2 August 1776

Should Congress ever empower its Generals to fill up the vacancies in the army, they know of no one in whom they would so soon repose a trust of such importance as in yourself

Baltimore, MD - 1 January 1777

Your letter of that date, containing the very agreeable intelligence of the success of the Continental arms under your command, was last night delivered to me by your Aid-de-camp, Colonel Baylor

Baltimore, MD - 6 January 1777

General Lee's situation seems to be extremely dangerous and critical, and from General Howe's behaviour to him, it is highly probable he will be brought to a trial for desertion.

Baltimore, MD - 25 February 1777

From the resolves, which I have the honor of transmitting herewith, you will perceive the measures Congress have taken to reenforce your army at this juncture.

Philadelphia, PA - 17 March 1777

The principle of retaliation was early adopted by the States of America, and, if adhered to, will be the most likely way to prevent our enemies from making distinctions, which have no other foundation but the gratification of their revenge

Philadelphia, PA - 26 March 1777

The Congress have authorized you to proceed in the exchange of prisoners, agreeably to the cartel at present existing, or such other regulation. as you may think proper to make in the matter

Philadelphia, PA - 4 April 1777

The regulation. relative to the payment of the troops and the department of the Paymaster-General will, I hope, be the means of introducing order and regularity into that part of the army, where, it must be confessed, they were extremely wanted.

Philadelphia, PA - 9 April 1777

Yesterday evening, the Congress completed the business of the Medical Department, and on so large and liberal an establishment that we may rationally expect the most beneficial effects will flow from it.

Philadelphia, PA - 5 June 1777

the Congress have authorized you to fix on such rewards or sum of money as you may judge proper, to encourage deserters from the enemy, both horse and foot.

Philadelphia, PA - 13 June 1777

You will perceive, from the inclosed resolves, the fixed determination of Congress to retaliate, as nearly as lies in their power, on our enemies, should they think proper to send any of their prisoners to Great Britain, or to any other part of the B

Philadelphia, PA - 24 June 1777

Your favor of the 23d, containing the agreeable intelligence that the enemy had retreated from Brunswick, I had the honor of receiving yesterday afternoon

Philadelphia, PA - 17 August 1777

The complaints of the want of men to the north ward are so great and urgent, that Congress, with a view of affording them some assistance, have come to the inclosed resolve

Philadelphia, PA - 22 August 1777

This moment an express is arrived from Maryland, with an account of near two hundred sail of Mr. Howe's fleet, being at anchor in the Chesapeake Bay.

Philadelphia, PA - 1 September 1777

the Congress have appointed a committee to collect and arrange the evidence relative to the evacuation of Ticonderoga, which will be afterwards transmitted to you, that a court-martial may be thereupon instituted for the trial of the General Officers

Philadelphia, PA - 6 September 1777

Congress, desirous of reenforcing the army at this critical period, have recommended to the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey to order out immediately a considerable part of their militia

Philadelphia, PA - 9 September 1777

the Congress have directed General Putnam to hold in readiness fifteen hundred men, under the command of a Brigadier, to cross the North River when you may think proper to order it.

Philadelphia, PA - 12 September 1777

I am sorry for the unfortunate issue of the day; but from the troops keeping up their spirits, I flatter myself it will still be in our power to retrieve the loss of yesterday.

Yorktown, PA - 30 September 1777

I wish soon to receive the most pleasing accounts from you. We are in daily expectation of agreeable tidings, and that General Howe is totally reduced.

Yorktown, PA - 9 October 1777

It is with the highest pleasure I comply with the order of Congress, in conveying to you the inclosed resolve, expressing the thanks of that body to you for the wise and well-concerted attack upon the enemy, near Germantown

Yorktown, PA - 9 October 1777

They have, for this end, authorized you to sentence, by court-martial, any person convicted of either of the above-mentioned offense

Yorktown, PA - 12 October 1777

the enemy have, at different times, compelled our troops, who are prisoners with them, to labor, and that a number are at this time actually engaged in throwing up some works at and near Kensington

Yorktown, PA - 17 October 1777

As the Congress will doubtless proceed to appoint a successor in my stead, on him, therefore, will devolve the business of the chair. It will fall within the line of his duty to keep up that connection and correspondence with you

Yorktown, PA - 25 October 1777

A few months relaxation will, I hope, restore my health and constitution, and enable me still to contribute my feeble efforts, in some mode or other, to the advancement of the cause of freedom in America

Boston, MA - 15 October 1783

May you long live, my dear General, and long have the joy to see the increasing splendor and prosperity of a rising nation, aided by your counsels, and defended by your sword!

Boston, MA - 21 October 1789

As Governor of the Commonwealth, I feel it to be my duty to receive your visit with such tokens of respect as may answer the expectations of my constituents, and may in some measure express the high sentiments of respect they feel towards you.

Boston, MA - 23 October 1789

I observe you had proposed taking an early dinner at Watertown, and proceeding to Cambridge, and from thence to Boston, on Saturday afternoon.