George Washington to John Hancock, referred to Wythe & Committee, 8 June 1776

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George Washington refers to his letter from the day before where he mentions receiving letters from General Schuyler about Sir John Johnson, a loyalist leader and British provincial military officer, including the measures that were planned to apprehend Johnson and a report of the attempt. Washington includes copies of the letter to show Congress. The troops in Boston have been asking after payment that is several months overdue and Washington asks Congress for direction on how to deal with the troops since they are almost mutinous. Washington brings up questions about several different resolutions that Congress sent to him and in his postscript Washington asks for Congress to make a resolution regarding an allowance to entice men to reenlist since the term of service is starting to expire for regiments. Also in the postscript, Washington says that the new Militia will be needing tents and cloth for making shelters as soon as possible.

"George Washington to the President of Congress, 8 June 1776, pg 1." Image from The Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789.

Letter text

Page 1

New York June the 8th. 1776

Sir,

In my letter of yesterday which I had the honor of addressing you and which was designed to have come by post, but was prevented by his departure before the usual time, I mentioned my having received by Express a Letter (and sundry papers) from Gen. Schuyler respecting Sr. John Johnson, Copies of which I herewith transmit you for your inspection & perusal — they will show you what measures were planned and attempted for apprehending him and securing the Scotch Highlanders in Tryon County.

Having heard that the Troops at Boston are extremely uneasy and almost mutinous for want of pay (several months of which being none due) I must take the liberty to repeat a question contained in my Letter of 5 Ults, “what mode is to be pursued respecting It, whether is money to be sent from hence by the paymaster Genl, or some person a subordinate to him to be appointed there for that purpose? I expected some direction wou'd have been given in this Instance long'ore this, from what was contained in yours

Page 2

"George Washington to the President of Congress, 8 June 1776, pg 2." Image from The Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789.

accompanying, or about the time of the last remittance. I presume It has been omitted by reason of the multiplicity of Important business before Congress.

In perusing the several Resolves you honoured me with, when at Philadelphia and since my return, I find one allowing a chief Engineer for the Army in a separate department — the service requiring many of them, I wish Congress if they know any persons skilled in this business, would appoint them — Gen. Schuyler has frequently applied and suggested the necessity of having some in Canada — I myself know of none.

I also find there is a Resolve of the third of June for taking Indians in to service, which if literally construed, confines them to that in Canada — Is that the meaning of Congress, or that the Commander in Chief may order their service to any place he may think necessary?

In respect to the establishing Expresses between the several Continental posts, who is to do it? the Resolve does not say — Is It expected by Congress that I should? who ever the work is assigned to, I think should execute It with the utmost dispatch — The late Imperfect and contradictory accounts respecting our defeat at the Cedars strongly point out the necessity there is for It — No Intelligence has yet come from any Officer in command there, and most probably for want of a proper channel to convey It, tho this misfortune happened so long ago.

When I had the honor of being in Congress, If I mistake not, I heard a resolve read, or was told of one, allowing the New York Troops the same pay of others in the Continental service — This, If any such, I do not find, and If there is not such a one, I shall be under some embarrassment how to pay the Militia to be provided by this Province — The Resolve providing them says, they are to be paid while in service as other Troops are — But If those Inlisted heretofore in this province, and to receive according to the first establishment, It is a matter of doubt what the Militia are to have —

Before this comes to hand, a Hand Bill containing an Amount of a victory gained by General Arnold over the party that had defeated Colo. Bedle

Page 3

"George Washington to the President of Congress, 8 June 1776, pg 3." Image from The Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789.

and Major Shuburne will most probably have reached you — I have Inquired in the authenticity of this fortunate report and have found there is no dependence to be put in It nor do I beleive It deserve of the least credit. — I shall be happy not to hear the reverse.

I have the honor to be with Sentiments of great esteem

Sir,

Your Most Obed. Servt.
Go: Washington

P.S. If Congress have come to any Resolution about an Allowance to Induce men to reinlist you will please to favor me with It, as the Times the Rifle Regiment is engaged for is just expired —

As the Militia will be coming in and they will be in much need of Covering please to have all the Tents and Cloth proper for making them all that may be procured forwarded as soon as possible.

<endorsed>
Letter from Gen. Washington
8 Jun 1776.

Referred to the Committee appointed on the 6th
Mr. Sherman
Mr. Wythe
Mr. Tergeant
Mr. J. Lee &
Mr. G[?]
Copied

See also