President of Congress to General Washington

v3:1438

Baltimore, December 27th, 1776.

SIR: The enclosed resolves, being of the utmost importance, will naturally claim your attention, without any particular recommendation or comment. They are evidently calculated to retrieve the situation of our affairs, and I trust will have the desired effect.

I have wrote to the Councils of Safety of Massachusetts-Bay and Pennsylvania, on the subject of erecting magazines in their respective States, for both arms and ammunition.

The commissions necessary in pursuance of the enclosed resolves, shall be forwarded as soon as possible. I have only time to add, that I am, with the most perfect esteem and respect, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, Pres' dt.

His Excellency General Washington.