Letter from the President of Congress to General Washington, enclosing sundry important Resolves. The establishing a War Office is a new and great event in the history of America, and will doubtless be attended with peculiar advantages, when properly conducted and inspected; the Congress have only laid the foundation at present

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Philadelphia, June 14, 1770.

SIR: I am extremely happy to have it in my power to assure you that the several matters referred to Congress in your letters, will receive a speedy determination. With great pleasure I shall transmit you the result as soon as I am ordered. I enclose to you at this time sundry important resolves, to which 1 beg leave to refer your attention.

You will there perceive that Congress have ordered nine thousand dollars to be advanced to Colonel Hand, which you will please to direct to be paid him out of the military chest at New-York. This money is to be stopped out of the pay of the regiment.

The establishing a War Office is a new and great event in the history of America, and will doubtless be attended with peculiar advantages, when properly conducted and inspected. I hope the Committee will be ready in a few days to enter upon the execution of their duty. You will see the outlines of this office in the enclosed resolves. Some further regulations, it is more than probable, will be necessary in the course of time. The Congress have only laid a foundation at present; it still remains, in a great measure,

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I have paid Captain Grier six hundred dollars, agreeable to the order of Congress, which you will please to direct the Paymaster to deduct on settlement.

The shameful inactivity of our fleet for some time past; the frequent neglect or disobedience of orders in Commodore Hopkins; the numberless complaints exhibited to the Marine Committee against him, and also against Captains Saltonstall and Whipple, have induced the Congress, in consequence of a representation from the Marine Committee, to order them to repair immediately to this city, to answer for their conduct. I have accordingly written them to set out on the receipt of my letters, and to repair here by land as fast as possible. I hope soon to have our ships on a more respectable footing. No efforts of mine shall be wanting to accomplish so desirable an event.

I have sent the resolves to the Convention of New-York which relate to them. The prohibition on salted beef and pork, I have given orders to be printed in all the papers to the eastward.

The resolves respecting the Indians, I must ask the favour of you to forward to General Schuyler, with such directions as you shall judge necessary.

I am to inform you that the Congress have appointed Ebenezer Hancock, Esq˙, Deputy Paymaster-General for the Eastern Department. A carriage, with one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the pay of the troops in that department, will set out to-morrow.

June 16. — A wagon, with about twenty-two thousand dollars in silver and a quantity of Continental money, will set out to-morrow morning for Canada. I have given directions to call on you at New-York, and must request you will order a guard to proceed with it as fast as possible the rest of the way.

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

JOHN HANCOCK; President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

I request the favour you will please to give the necessary orders to the commanding officer in the Eastern Department, and to my brother, respecting the payment of the troops.