Hancock, John (1737-1793) [Resolve of Congress on General Gates's call for militia]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02525 Author/Creator: Hancock, John (1737-1793) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Document signed Date: 6 August 1777 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 18 x 24.5 cm. Order a Copy
Written in the hand of William Churchill Houston as deputy secretary of the Continental Congress. Signed by Continental Congress President Hancock. It is noted that this is a copy from the Journals of Congress. Resolve issued in the aftermath of the fall of Fort Ticonderoga to the British. On 2 August 1777 Gates was given the permission of Congress to requisition from each state's militia the number of men he felt was necessary to defend against General John Burgoyne's advance. This resolve was sent to help Gates in his recruitment saying it is "impossible, in the present Circumstances of things, to adhere to settled quotas."
In Congress, 6 August 1777.
Resolved
That Major-General Gates inform those States whom he shall apply to for Militia that Congress think it impossible, in the present Circumstances of things, to adhere to settled quotas which ought to be called out from wich particular State.
Copy from the Journals
William C Houston , D Secry
By order of the Congress
John Hancock Presi'd
[docket]
New-Jersey.
John Hancock to
Ratified Congress of 6 Augt
1777 That they cannot fix the
Quota of Militia to be raised by
Each State for the Northern
Army ~
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