Letter from the President of Congress to General Washington

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Philadelphia, July 6, 1776.

SIR: Should this be presented to you by Captain Thomas Cardrop, you will please to understand that he, with fifty ship-carpenters under his command, are engaged in the Continental service, with orders to proceed, with the utmost expedition, for Albany, there to put themselves under the direction of Major-General Philip Schuyler, in order to perform the very essential service of building galleys, floating batteries, &c., for the defence of the Lakes. And the present situation of the Ministerial Army on Staten Island having rendered it necessary to leave the route of this corps to the judgment and discretion of Captain Cardrop, it is uncertain whether your Excellency will see him or not; therefore these lines are given to him merely to procure the necessary assistance and despatch, if he should find it safe and convenient to call at New York in order to procure water conveyance.

I have the honour to remain your Excellency' s most obedient servant,
JOHN HANCOCK.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq.