Letter from the President of Congress to General Washington

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Philadelphia, August 8, 1776.

SIR: Your letters of the 7th, with the papers enclosed, are received and now under consideration of Congress.

Enclosed I send you a resolution passed respecting Lieutenant Josiah. He was first Lieutenant of Captain Nicholas Biddle, and was taken in a ship Captain Biddle had made prize of, by the Cerberus frigate. By a letter which he found means to convey, he informs, that "he is used worse than he ever thought one Englishman could use another; that he was sent before the mast with the rest, but upon refusing to do duty was given under the charge of three boatswain' s mates, and expects the gangway soon, as he is daily threatened."

An order is this moment passed for calling General Lee from the southward, and tomorrow is appointed for electing a number of Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P˙ S˙ You will please to mention the matter of Lieutenant Josiah as real information, but not discover that it was by letter, as it may prove injurious in case he is not exchanged.