[Draft] To his Excellency John Hancock Esqr Govr of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sir The undersign'd General and Field Officers of the Massachusetts Troops, in behalf of themselves and their Brethren in the Field, take the earliest opportunity to present your Excellency, with the Congratulations on your advancment to the highest seat in the Government of the State: an elevation the more Honorable as being effected by the Voluntary Suffrages of a free people. We are happy that such a mode of Electing the first Magistrate and principal officers of Government is fix'd by the Constitution of the State; a mode so contrived as to preclude delay, and which cannot be subjected to corrupt Influence on the one hand, nor on the other to riotous tumult or cabal. We are happy that the Constitution is framed on such Generous and Enlarg'd principles, that no member of the State whatever be his Occupation, or employment whose Circumstances under him sufficiently Independent, and who gives reasonable assurances of his Fidelity, can be excluded from any of the rights of a free Citizen. We shall be happy when the time shall come, that we may again assume the Character of citizens only; a Character of which we never divested ourselves even in Idea: - [2] We shall be happy to partake with our fellow citizens the blessings of a well earned peace: And our happiness will be compleated in the reflection, that, under the direction of Heaven, we by our exertions, sufferings, and dangers, in Conjunction with those of our fellow soldiers, have been so greatly Instrumental in acquiring them. But before that wished for period shall arrive, much remains to be performed, much still to be endured, and in doing and suffering we shall Cheerfully participate with our fellow citizens. - Much especially will be Expected from those, who hold distinguished posts in public life: - Placed at the Head of the Government your Excellency will have many Opportunities, of rendering the most important services to the country at large and to the Troops of the common-Wealth of Massachusetts in particular: and your discernment of its true Interest joined with your fellow feeling for those who greatly suffer in their Country's cause, will Induce you to improve them. We will no longer detain your Excellency than to Express our sincere wishes, that the execution of your very important Office may be attended with all that success, and applause of your fellow citizens, which a wise and faithful administration of the Government shall deserve. /signed by/ HKnox. B.G. Artillery J. Glover B.G. J. Paterson B.G. Timo Pickering Col. & HMG and by the officers commanding regiments in the Massa [text lost] Camp at Totowa, - 12 Nov. 1780