Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 4, May 16 1776-August 15 1776
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John Hancock to To: Richard Peters


Sir,
Philada. June 14th. 1776.

   I am to inform you that the Congress were yesterday pleased to appoint you Secretary to the Board of War & Ordnance, with a Salary of eight Hundred Dollars a Year.(1)

   Should you accept the office, you will please to acquaint me with it: and, that you may enter upon your Duty, as soon as possible, you will apply to the Committee, who will give you necessary Directions.(2) The Gentlemen on the Committee are Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Rutledge.

   The Nature and Importance of the office are such, that the most constant Attendance, and unremitting Application, are indispensibly required, in the Execution of it.

   I am, Sir, your most obedt. and very hle Sevt. J. H. Prsit.


Note:

   LB (DNA: PCC, item 12A).



1 See JCC, 5:438. Richard Peters (1744-1828), a Philadelphia lawyer and captain in the city militia, became a member of the Board of War, 1777-81, and was a delegate to Congress, 1782-83. JCC, 5:438; and DAB. For the background and history of the Board of War, see Jennings B. Sanders, Evolution of the Executive Departments of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1935), chap. 1.



2 Peters' letter of acceptance, written this day, is in PCC, item 78, 18:65; and Am. Archives, 4th ser. 6:888.