Hancock, John (1737-1793) Resolution in Congress 27th Dec. 1776 investing Genl Washington with certain powers [fragment]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05611 Author/Creator: Hancock, John (1737-1793) Place Written: Baltimore, Maryland Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 27 December 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 31.6 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Final page of document conferring extraordinary power on Washington. For six months he is granted the power "to fill up all Vacancies in every other Department in the American Armies; to take wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the Use of the Army...to arrest and confine Persons who refuse to take the Continental Currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American Cause." The lost portion of the document confers on Washington other powers as well. It is possible this document was being sent to Washington himself, then intercepted by the British. Title from docket. Transcript for the full document available in collateral file.
[fragment]
under the Rank of Brigadier Gen.l and to fill up all Vacancies in every other Department in the American Armies; to take wherever he may be, whatever he may want for the Use of the Army, if the Inhabitants will not sell it, allowing a reasonable Price for the same; to arrest and confine Persons who refuse to take the Continental Currency, or are otherwise disaffected to the American Cause, and return to the States of which they are Citizens their Names, and Nature of their Offences together with the Witnesses to prove them.
That the foregoing Powers be vested in Gen.l Washington for and during the Term of six Months from the Date hereof, unless sooner determined by Congress.
Resolved, That the Council of Safety of Pennsylvania be requested to take the most vigorous and speedy [inserted in margin: suppression of Torys] Measures for punishing all such as shall
refuse Continental Currency, and that the General be directed to give all necessary Aid to the Council of Safety for carrying their Measures on this subject into Effectual Execution.
By Order Of Congress
John Hancock Presidt
[docket]
Resolutions in Congress
27th. Decr. 1776
investing Genl-
Washington with
Certain powers
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