Sir, Philada April 18th 1777
The enclosed Proceedings of Congress will convey to you such Information as may be necessary for your future Conduct in the Department immediately under your Care. I am however particularly to request your attention to the Resolve founded upon Intelligence the Congress have received of a Design to destroy the Ferry Boats about Saratoga with a View of obstructing the Movements of our Army at the Time the Enemy may arrive from Canada.(1)
The internal Foes of American Freedom have been lately making Attempts to accomplish our Destruction in this Place. Since the Execution of Molesworth, a Gang of Conspirators has been detected: and seven or eight were yesterday and today committed to Goal for carrying on a traiterous Correspondence with our Enemies, or conniving at it.(2) How far their Guilt will be made to appear, I am not able to determine. But Vigilance and Vigour in the Administration of our Affairs, will, I trust, defeat their deep laid Schemes, and enable us finally to triumph over the dark & wicked Machinations of our secret Foes, and the Designs of our open, tho not less cruel and implacable, Enemies. I have the Honour to be. with the utmost Esteem & Respect, Sir, your most obed. & very hble Sevt. John Hancock Presidt.

RC (NHi). In the hand of Jacob Rush and signed by Hancock.
1 The resolve last mentioned by Hancock is in JCC, 7:273. The "enclosed Proceedings" have not been identified, but perhaps they included Congress' resolves of April 9, 10, and 14 on the reorganization of military hospitals and the revision of the articles of war. JCC, 7:231-37 244-46 264-66.
2 For further details about the case of one of these conspirators, John Brown alias John Lee, see JCC, 7: 374,8: 382 - 83.