As Governor, John Hancock Writes the Massachusetts Congress on Troop Placement

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2020

HANCOCK, John (1737-1793). American Revolutionary politician and first signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress and two-time Governor of Massachusetts. Autograph Document entirely in the hand of John Hancock, 1-1/2p. folio, Boston, April 20, 1782, addressed to the "Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives" and reads in part: "...This Day a Resolve of the General Court was laid before me by the Secretary; Requesting me to order an Augmentation of the Garrison at Dartmouth, in consequence of a Petition from Isaac Sherman Commissary for the Troops there, which Petition holds up to the View of the General Court that I had taken upon me, contrary to the Solemn Resolve of the last year, to Reduce the Garrison, which has Occasion'd the present Application. True it is, that Thirteen of the men doing Duty there, were call'd to Boston but it was done by me in consequence of the Inhabitants of Dartmouth, as they had no Occasion for them & Guards being wanted at Boston, I availed myself of those men, which made a saving to the Common Wealth as it prevented any carrying into effect a Resolve authorising me to Enlist men for the very Service these men from Dartmouth perform'd here. With the Letters I laid before the Genl Court at the opening of the present Session was one from Brig. General Freeman requesting that a number of men might be engag'd for a certain term for the Protection of the Southern Sea Coast, and I would submit it to the Consideration of the Genl. Court...Should the Court adopt the measure recommneded in Genl Freeman's letter to order an additional number from the Militia in Dartmo. to Augment the Garrison there, than to send the men from the men from the Artillery Corps here, more especially as the Court have Indulg'd some of that Corps, as well as some of the troops at the castle to engage on board the Frigates, which has lessen'd the numbers of both & by taking these men to Dartmouth, there will not be left a number competent to the Duty necessary for the protection of the Property of the Common Wealth..." More. Repairs and small loss at top margin, else Very Good.

Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).