Hancock, John (1737-1793) [Commission of Captain Daniel Morgan]
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04825 Author/Creator: Hancock, John (1737-1793) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Document signed Date: 22 June 1775 Pagination: 1 p. ; 21 x 28.6 cm. Order a Copy
Partially printed document signed by Continental Congress President John Hancock and co-signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary to Congress. The writing in the document's body was done by General George Washington. Document appoints Daniel Morgan as "Captain of a Company of Riflemen."
After the American Revolutionary War began at the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the Continental Congress created the Continental Army. They called for the formation of ten rifle companies from the middle colonies to support the Siege of Boston, and late in June of 1775 Virginia agreed to send two. The Virginia House of Burgesses chose Daniel Morgan to form one of these, and serve as its captain. He recruited 96 men in ten days and assembled them at Winchester on 14 July. He then marched them to Boston, Massachusetts in only 21 days, arriving on August 6, 1775. He served with distinction through most of the Revolution. In 1794 he was briefly recalled to national service, as he led militia units to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion
IN CONGRESS.
The Delegates of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, to Daniel Morgan Esquire
We reposing especial trust ad confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Captain of a Company of Riflemen ----------------
in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Captain ----- by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Captain ------ And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time and time as you receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army if the United Colonies, or any other your Superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of he trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
June 22d 1775. - By Order of he Congress.
Attest Cha Thompson Secy. John Hancock President
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.