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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Sir, Philada. August 17th. 1777. Sunday Morning. The Complaints of the Want of Men to the Northward, are so great & urgent, that Congress, with a View of affording them some Assistance, have come to the enclosed Resolve; by which you will perceive, it is their Desire that five Hundred Rifle-men, under the Command of an active Officer, should be immediately sent into that Department, to oppose the Incursions of the Indians.(1)
Your Favour of the 16th Inst. I was last Night honoured with containing sundry Inclosures, which shall be communicated to Congress tomorrow.(2)
Page 493
AUGUST 17, 1777
Link to date-related documents.
The Plan you have adopted and recommended for the Defence of the River Delaware, is ordered to be carried into Execution.(3)
As soon as Congress shall come into any Resolve on the Subjects of your several Letters, the Result shall be immediately transmitted. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Esteem, Sir, your most obed. & very hble Servt, John Hancock Presidt (4)
RC (DLC). In the hand of Jacob Rush and signed by Hancock.
1 See JCC, 8:649.
2 This letter is in PCC, item 152, 4:485-88, and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 9:72-75. For a list of the enclosures, see ibid., p. 75.
3 Washington set forth this "Plan" in his August 10 letter to President Hancock, and on the following day Congress ordered the Board of War to put it into effect "with all possible despatch." JCC, 8:630; PCC, item 152, 4:469-75; and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 9:45-53.
4 On August 16 Hancock had written a letter to Gen. William Heath in Boston, asking him to forward the baggage belonging to Philippe Du Coudray "& his officers." Heath Papers, MHi.
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