John Jay’s Draft of a Letter from the Continental Congress to George Washington, 2 April 1776
Philadelphia April 2 d . 1776–
Sir
It gives me the most sensible Pleasure to convey to you by order of Congress the only Tribute which a free People will ever consent to pay, the Tribute of Thanks & Gratitude to their Friends & Benefactors. 1
The disinterested and patriotic Principles which led you to the Field, have also led you to Glory, and it affords no little Consolation to your Countrymen to reflect, that as a peculiar Greatness of Mind induced you to decline every any Compensation for serving them except the Pleasure of promoting their Happiness, they may without your Permission bestow upon you the largest Share of their Affections & Esteem–
Those Pages in the Annals of America will record your Title to a conspicuous Place in the Temple of Fame, which shall inform Posterity that under your Direction an undisciplined Band of Husbandmen in the Course of a few Months became Soldiers, and that the Desolation meditated against the Country by a brave Army of Veterans commanded by the most experienced Generals, but employed by bad Men in the worst of Causes, was by the Fortitude of your Troops & the Address of their officers next to the kind Interposition of Providence, confined for near a Year within such narrow Limits as scarce to admit more Room than was necessary for ^ the ^ Encampments & Fortifications they lately abandoned.
Accept therefore Sir the Thanks of the united Colonies unanimously declared by their Delegates to be due to you & the brave officers & Troops under your Command; And be pleased to communicate to them this distinguished Mark of the Approbation of their Country–
The Congress have ordered a ^ golden ^ Medal adapted to the Occasion to be struck and a golden one, as soon as it can be when finished, will to be presented to You– 2 I am &c I have the honour to be with every Sentiment of Esteem, Sir, Your most obed t & very humble serv t .
His Excell cy General Washington