Hancock, John, 1737-1793. John Hancock Collection, 1754-1792. [Letter from John Hancock, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Samuel Langdon, 1776 May 13]. UAI 50.27.73 Box 2, Folder 2, Harvard University Archives.

Philadelphia 13th May 1776

{Reverend] Sir

I duly rec'd your two Letters, and should much sooner have return'd an answer, but any constant attention to the Business of any particular Department which has Engag'd my whole time must apologize for me. The Matters of the College I am sensible ought to be attended to, and should have been sooner by one, but, from the Confus'd state of our Province I concluded there was no possibility of drawing the Attention of individuals to any particular Business, I have however directed young {William} Winthrop to proceed from hence & to Return here as soon as possible, and bring with him all my Books & papers, for which purpose I this morning Send off a light Waggon, as soon as I Receive them & can properly Arrange them, you shall hear fully from me on the Subject, and shall be Glad to know whether it would be most Eligible & agreeable to you & the Corporation, for me to Appoint {Mister] William Winthrop to Ask for one, or for [one?] to Resign, tho' the latter I should not be induc'd to do unless by a Signification of your pleasure, in which case you will Appoint one in my place as early as you think necessary. My attachment

[in upper left margin] {Mister} Hancoks {Number} [?] May 13. 1776

to the College is such that nothing but necessity would divert my Attention from it, that will not however be hastened by one. On this Subject I shall be glad to be favour'd with your Sentiments. I had made a proposition to Congress for Leave of Absence in order to have proceeded to Boston, which was under Consideration, when I Rec'd by Express the melancholy News of the sudden Death of my Dear Aunt, which suspended the Execution of my Plan, and now Business crowds so fast upon Congress that I cannot with propriety at present think of Leaving Congress.

I made a Representation to Congress agreeable to your Desire, of your Services as Chaplain previous to the regular Establishment of Chaplains, & in Consequence of which they pass'd a Resolve of which I have the pleasure to Inclose, and Agreeable to the Direction of Congress I also Inclose you the three hundred Dollars order'd, which I wish safe to hand, & hope will prove Agreeable

My best Respects attend you, the Gentlemen of the Corporation, & your Family, and I am, {Reverend} Sir

Your most {Obedient} {Servant} John Hancock

{Reverend} Doctor Langdon