Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 4

III. Instructions to the Commissioners to Canada

V. Preamble to Resolution on Independent Governments
IV. John Hancock to George Washington, 2 April 1776 Hancock, John JA Jay, John Hopkins, Stephen Continental Congress President of Congress Washington, George

1776-04-02

 IV. John Hancock to George Washington, 2 April 1776 Hancock, John Adams, John Jay, John Hopkins, Stephen Continental Congress President of Congress Washington, George
IV. John Hancock to George Washington
Sir Philadelphia, April 2d. 1776

It gives me the most sensible Pleasure to convey to you, by Order of Congress, the only Tribute, which a free People will ever consent to Pay; the Tribute of Thanks and Gratitude to their Friends and Benefactors.1

The disinterested and patriotic Principles which led you to the Field, have also led you to Glory: and it affords no little Consolation to your Countrymen to reflect, that, as a peculiar Greatness of Mind induced you to decline any Compensation for serving them, except the Pleasure of promoting their Happiness, they may, without your Permission, bestow upon you the largest Share of their Affections and Esteem.

Those Pages in the Annals of America, will record your Title to a conspicuous Place in the Temple of Fame, which shall inform Posterity, that under your Directions, an undisciplined Band of Husbandmen, in the Course of a few Months, became Soldiers; and that the Desolation meditated against the Country, by a brave Army of Veterans, commanded by the most experienced Generals, but employ'd by bad Men in the worst of Causes, was, by the Fortitude of your Troops, and the Address of their Officers, next to the kind Interposition of Providence, confined for near a Year, within such narrow Limits, as scarcely to admit more Room than was necessary for the Encampments and Fortifications, they lately abandoned.

Accept therefore, Sir, the Thanks of the United Colonies, unanimously declared by their Delegates, to be due to you, and the brave Officers and Troops under your Command: and be pleased to communicate to them, this distinguished Mark of the Approbation of their Country.

The Congress have ordered a Golden Medal, adapted to the Occasion, to be struck, and when finished, to be presented to you.2

I have the Honour to be, with every Sentiment of Esteem, Sir, Your most obedt. and very hble Sert. John Hancock, Presidt.

RC (DLC:Washington Papers); Dft in John Jay's hand (PHi:Conarroe Papers).

11 1.

On 25 March JA made a motion to accord Washington the formal thanks of the congress by resolution and by having a gold medal struck. He was made chairman of the committee of three, the others being John Jay and Stephen Hopkins, to prepare a suitable letter, which was apparently adopted without amendment and ordered transcribed for the president's signature ( JCC , 4:234; Diary and Autobiography , 3:375–376).

 2.

On the medal see Diary and Autobiography , 3:xii, 375–376, note 1, and the illustration facing p. 257; Adams Family Correspondence , 2:96. For the medal finally presented to Washington in 1790, see Jefferson, Papers , 16:xxxvi, 53–54, 69–70, and illustration No. I among the illustrations of medals following p. 52.