embrace the earliest opportunity of coming to Philadelphia, have directed me to write to you, and request that you will repair to Philadelphia as soon as you can conveniently, in order to consult with Congress upon such measures as may be necessary for the carrying on the ensuing campaign. I hope the situation of the great affairs with which you are intrusted will admit your making this excursion, which I apprehend may be serviceable to your health; in which case, I request the favour that you will please to honour me with your and your lady’s company at my house, where I have a bed at your service during your continuance here, and where every endeavour of mine and Mrs. Hancock ’s shall be exerted to make your abode agreeable. I reside in an airy, open part of the city, in Arch and Fourth streets. If this should be agreeable to you, it would afford me much pleasure.

I am to inform you that the Congress have this day appointed Horatio Gates, Esq., a Major-General, and Thomas Mifflin, Esq., a Brigadier-General, in the Continental Army. A commission for the former gentleman I transmit by this opportunity. I have delivered one to Mr. Mifflin here.

I could wish, if consistent with the service, it might be agreeable to you to direct those two gentlemen to repair to Boston; but I would not urge a matter which entirely rests with you. I know, however, your disposition will prompt you to make as agreeable an arrangement as possible.

I have the honour to be, with respectful sentiments and esteem, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington, at New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL GATES.

Philadelphia, May 16, 1776.

SIR: The very great services you have performed for America, by introducing order and discipline into the Army of the United Colonies, as well as your zeal and ardour in the American cause, have induced Congress to promote you to the rank of a Major-General in the American Army. I do myself the pleasure to enclose your commission, and have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Major-General Gates, New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

Philadelphia, May 16, 1776.

GENTLEMAN: By the best intelligence from Europe, it appears that the British nation have proceeded to the last extremity, and have actually taken into pay a number of foreign troops, who, in all probability, are on their passage to America at this very time. The transactions of the Ministry are so much hid from view, that we are left to wander in the field of conjecture; and it is entirely to accident we are indebted for any little information we may receive with regard to their designs against us. This uncertainty, however, I hope will have the proper effect. It should stimulate the Colonies to greater diligence and vigour, in preparing to ward off the blow, as our enemies may, for anything we know, be at our very door. In this situation of affairs, it is highly necessary that the town of Boston should receive a reinforcement, to prevent it from falling again into the hands of such miscreants as have just been driven out of it. The Congress, therefore, considering the small number of troops in that place, and the impossibility of detaching any from the Continental Army, which has lately been much weakened by the two brigades, consisting of ten regiments, ordered into Canada, have come to the enclosed resolutions, which I am commanded to transmit you, being fully assured that you will do everything in your power to carry the same into effect as speedily as possible. I enclose to you, also, blank commissions for the Captains and subalterns of the two regiments to be raised in Massachusetts Colony, to be filled up with the names of the persons you may please to appoint.

With respect to the Field Officers, I have it in command to request you will please to recommend to Congress, as early as possible, the names of persons you judge proper for those offices, in order that they may be appointed and commissioned by the Congress. As soon as I have the honour to receive your recommendations, I will lay them before Congress, and immediately upon their determination, transmit you the commissions filled up accordingly.

I have the honour to be, with every respectful sentiment and much esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay.

P. S. The Congress have been pleased to appoint Horatio Gates, Esq., to be a Major-General, and Thomas Mifflin, Esq., to be a Brigadier-General, in the Continental Army. I have written to General Washington, to request him, if agreeable, that those gentlemen may take the command in Boston.

I am prevented enclosing a resolve by means of the Secretary, with the Journal, being out of town. It is a resolution for the liberation of Dr. Church, in his present infirm, dangerous state. He is to be sent by Governour Trumbu’ll to the Assembly of Massachusetts, and they are requested to take bail in one thousand pounds, lawful money, for his appearance hereafter, before a proper court authorized to try him. I a few days ago delivered a copy of the resolve to the Doctor’s brother; will transmit one to you by tomorrow’s post.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONVENTION.

Philadelphia, May 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: You will perceive by the enclosed resolve of Congress, which I am commanded to transmit you, that they have directed another battalion to be raised in your Colony on Continental pay. The Army under General Washington has been so extremely weakened, by detaching ten regiments into Canada, on a most important service, that it has become apparently necessary for the security of the Eastern Governments to increase the number of troops in that quarter. The Congress have accordingly resolved that two regiments be raised in Massachusetts-Bay, one in New-Hampshire, and one in Connecticut, for the service of the United Colonies. They have also been pleased to appoint Horatio Gates, Esquire, a Major-General, and Thomas Mifflin, Esquire, a Brigadier-General in the Continental Army.

Your zeal and ardour in the American cause will, I am persuaded, induce you to carry the enclosed resolve into effect, with all the expedition which your own situation and the publick good so evidently require.

I enclose you, also, blank commissions for the Captains and subalterns of the regiment to be raised in your Colony, to be filled up with the names of the persons you may please to appoint. With respect to the Field Officers, I have it in command to request you will please to recommend to Congress as early as possible the names of persons you judge proper for those offices, in order that they may be appointed and commissioned by the Congress. As soon as I have the honour to receive your recommendations, I will lay them before Congress, and immediately upon their determination transmit you the commissions, filled up accordingly.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable the Convention of New-Hampshire.

[Same to the Honourable the Assembly of Connecticut.]

GEORGE MORGAN TO LEWIS MORRIS.

[Read May 27, 1776. Referred to the Standing Committee on Indian Affairs.]

Pittsburgh, May 16, 1776.

DEAR SIR: My letter to the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, dated the 3d instant, I enclosed to you by Mrs. Connolly, who is on a visit to her husband. The man who accompanied her will set out on his return here about the time you receive this. I therefore flatter myself with hearing from you by him; and, if you can, do let Mrs. Morgan know of the opportunity. I enclose her letter in yours, directed, “On the publick service,” with your name on the outside. This will ensure their coming safe.

In a few weeks you may expect full intelligence, as I have sent to all the towns, Detroit and Niagara, at the risk, too, of paying all the expenses myself. This is a critical time, and unless the Commissioners can attend to their