Lansing, John

Autograph document signed ("John Lansing Junr. Secy"), 2 pages (12 3/4 x 7 3/4 in.; 325 x 197 mm) on a bifolium of laid paper (watermarked Liberty & Prudence), Head Quarters Saratoga, 21 November 1776, being a transcription of General Orders for Philip Schuyler's army of the Northen Department, docketed on verso; lightly browned, a few fold separations. Half green morocco folding-case, black morocco spine labels.

Lansing, who served in the Continental Army as secretary to General Philip Schuyler, here forwards to the Northen Army recent congressional resolves in the form of General Orders. The resolves quoted embrace promotions and a general inducement to encourage enlistments. "Upon reconsidering the Resolutions of the 16th September last, for raising eighty eight Batallions during the present War with Great Britain—Congress being of Opinion that the Readiness of the Inhabitants of the States, to enter into the Service for limitted Times in Defence of their invaluable privilieges on all former Occasions, give good Ground to hope the same Zeal for the public Good, will appear in Future, when Necessity calls for their Assistance, and the uncertain length of Time, which Forces raised during the Continuance of the War may be compelled to serve may prevent many from enlisting who would otherwise readliy manifest their attachment to the common Cause, by engaging for a limited Time, Therefore resolved that all Non commissioned officers & Soldiers, who do not incline to engage their Service during the Continuance of the present War and shall enlist to serve three Years, unless sooner discharged by Congress shall be entitled to receive all such Bounty and pay as are allowed to those who enlist during the continuance of the present War, except for the one hundred Acres of Land. ..."