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[Commission of Gideon Stebbins]

Countersigned by Charles Thomson. Partially printed appointment of Gideon Stebbins to Second Lieutenant in the Army of the United States Colonies. Accompanied by two signed payrolls for militia commanded by Stebbins during Shays' rebellion. The...

GLC01412.10.01

to Thomas Johnson

The docket has been separated from the Free Frank (address leaf). Johnson was the governor of Maryland.

GLC01412.52

[Appointment of Samuel Nicholson as Commander of Frigate Deane]

Signed by Hancock as President of the Countersigned by Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress.

GLC01450.001

[Assignment of privateer's bond by John Hancock to Joseph Hewes and Robert Smith]

Countersigned by Jacob Rush and Benjamin Towne. Revokes the earlier privateer commission given to Barzilla Smith by Hancock as President of the Congress of the United States because Smith did not conduct himself and his crew according to the terms...

GLC01450.014.01

[Privateer bond of Barzilla Smith, Joseph Chapman, and Elijah F. Payne]

Privateer commission binding the three men in the amount of $5,000 to John Hancock, President of the Congress of the United States. Commissions Smith as commander of the privateer schooner the Eagle, Payne as owner of the schooner, and Chapman as...

GLC01450.014.02

[Resolution of the Court allowing delegates to draw money]

Signed and approved by John Hancock as a true copy by John Avery. Appropriating 3000 pounds out of the new emission of money for the Treasurer of Massachusetts for use by the delegates of the state at Congress. Imposes a limit of 600 pounds for any...

GLC01450.020.11

[Forged permission for marriage from John Hancock]

Addressed to any clergyman of the city or liberties of Philadelphia. States "Lawrence Wilson has applied to me for license to be joined to Jane Bevan in matrimony. I therefore authorize you to do the same according to the usual form." Wilson, a...

GLC01450.034.01

to the Convention of Maryland

Enclosing a letter from James Searle regarding possible attack by British fleet. On November 13, 1776 Searle spotted about one hundred British ships off the point of Sandy Hook at Long Branch, New Jersey. He immediately wrote to Thomas Wharton Jr...

GLC00779

[Commission of Martin Eichelberger as first lieutenant].

Cosigned by Charles Thompson.

GLC00782.05

to the Assembly of New Jersey

President of the Continental Congress Hancock reminds the Assembly of New Jersey of the requirement that they provide the military with physicians to certify surgeons and their assistants. If New Jersey does not comply, it will risk losing...

GLC00782.06

[Appointment of Daniel Howard as state senator]

Appoints Howard as a Massachusetts state senator from "Plimouth" County. Partially printed document signed. Signed by Hancock as Governor. Countersigned by Avery as secretary.

GLC00945.05

to Joseph Clarke

Hancock writes to Treasurer Clarke that he must deny his request for a loan, as the state is too burdened with debt. " ... the Situation of our publick Funds, & the large Calls for Money by Loans for the Service of the State, makes it impossible to...

GLC00987

[Commission of Captain Daniel Morgan]

Partially printed document signed by Continental Congress President John Hancock and co-signed by Charles Thomson as Secretary to Congress. The writing in the document's body was done by General George Washington. Document appoints Daniel Morgan as...

GLC04825

to New Jersey Convention

The letter announces the Declaration of Independence. Stamps on verso: "Sold by Merchantile Library" [red stamp] "Tomlinson Collection" [purple stamp]. With docket on page 2.

GLC00154.01

Commission of John Harper, Quartermaster of 4th Battallion, Penna.

Partially printed document, cosigned by Charles Thomson.

GLC00184.15

[Appointment of Norton Quincy as Justice of the Peace].

Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, John Hancock, appointed Justice of the Peace, Norton Quincy, for the County of Suffolk. The order gives a general sketch of the duties of Quincy's new office. Partially printed. Accompanied by frilled...

GLC00210

[Partially printed document authorizing the forcible capture of British vessels]

This document serves as a form by which Continental Congress authorizes the seizure of British ships and crew members in a warlike manner. Originally signed by Hancock during his term as President of the Congress (24 May 1775- 31 October 1777)....

GLC00231

to unknown

Written by Wendell, a wealthy, well-connected merchant in New Hampshire to an unknown recipient. References a previous letter he wrote that mentioned political sentiments. Does not go into detail. Mentions a report of the broken American siege of...

GLC00252

Instructions to the commanders of private ships or vessels of war, which shall have commissions or letters of marque and reprisal, authorizing them to make captures of British vessels and cargoes.

Printed as a broadside. Signed by Hancock as President of the Second Continental Congress. Contains eleven articles created by Congress authorizing private American ships to capture British vessels. Instructs American captains to bring captured...

GLC00038.01

[Journal of William Ellery's journey from Dighton, Massachusetts, to Yorktown, Pennsylvania]

Discusses British General John Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga and meetings with Generals Oliver Wolcott and Israel Putnam, and with Members of the Continental Congress Francis Dana, John Hancock, John Adams, and Samuel Adams. Includes allusions to...

GLC00107.02

to "The Gentlemen of the House of Representatives"

Hancock argues that the bill making Sunday a day of Sabbath in Congress was improperly passed. The Constitution provided a set amount of time to rebuke a bill's passing, and others in Congress accused Hancock of sending his letter of rebuttal too...

GLC07917

To: "Gentlemen of the House of Representatives."

John Hancock responds to an inquiry from the "Gentlemen of the House of Representatives" about the status of an import tax bill. He says that he feels the bill was illegitimately passed and that he does not consider it legitimate.

GLC07918

[Appointment of James Mackinson to First Lieutenant] [Fragment]

Partially printed document appointing James Mackinson a first Lieutenant. Attested by Charles Thomson as secretary. The top of the document, which contained Mackinson's name, has been lost. The name is found on the docket.

GLC02437.00529

[Commission of Henry Knox to Brigadier General of Artillery]

Congressional appointment for Knox to the newly created rank of Brigadier General of Artillery. "We, resposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be a...

GLC02437.00500

to Lucy Knox

Knox writes, "the shortness of your two last letters were not very agreable [sic] to me..." Discusses the Battle of Ticonderoga (2-6 July 1777): "We have received... news of the evacuation of Ticonderoga pregnant in my opinion with the most...

GLC02437.00622

to John Hancock

Knox writes to Hancock, President of Continental Congress. Asks if [Phillippe] du Coudray has been appointed to command the artillery. Declares, "I wish to know of Congress whether this information be true, if it is, I beg the favor of a permission...

GLC02437.00620

to John Hancock

Written on two different sizes of paper: the first is 33.4 x 21.3 cm, the second is 13 x 21 cm. Writes to Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, to ask that eighteen-year-old Isaac Winslow be allowed to return to land his family owns in Roxbury...

GLC02437.01408

to John Hancock

Draft of GLC02437.00853. Congratulates Hancock on becoming the Governor of Massachusetts and brings the suffering of the Massachusetts soldiers to Hancock's attention. Noted that "Instead of the foregoing-the one drafted by Col. Pickering was sent...

GLC02437.00854

to John Hancock

Signed for Knox by Shaw. Henry Knox's retained copy. Congratulates Hancock on becoming the Governor of Massachusetts and brings the suffering of the Massachusetts soldiers to Hancock's attention. The text is in the hand of Henry Knox, but the...

GLC02437.00853

to Henry Knox

Refers to an ensuing campaign and the potential for "disposing of the British fleet." Remarks on the prevalence of British ships in the Boston harbor and adjacent waters. Reports that the House of Lee and Jones lost a ship to the British...

GLC02437.01060

Resolutions re: relieving Major General St. Clair and Schuyler of command

Resolutions of Congress, signed as President, countersigned by William Houston. Also calls for more soldiers. Was written in Congress.

GLC07477

to William Davis and Benjamin Russell

Countersigned by John Avery as Secretary of State. Calls for Davis and Russell to take depositions from Patience and William Cornell regarding their divorce. Note on page two dated 8 February 1785 and signed by Justice William Davis, states that he...

GLC02357

to Henry Knox

Written from "Port Louis, Isle of France," present-day Port Louis, Mauritius. Relates that Mr. Sears stopped at the Isle of France on his way to and from Canton (present-day Guangzhou, China), and brought him a letter from Major Samuel Shaw. Fears...

GLC02437.03454

to Henry Knox

Writes a friendly letter in which he presents news on a variety of subjects. First, mentions that he applied to Judge Wendell for certificates that they had been discussing. He has so far been unsuccessful but will try again. John Hancock is...

GLC02437.03250

to Henry Knox

Writes a friendly letter outlining various happenings in Boston. Relates that Mr. [John] Hancock is recovered and will travel to Congress [in New York] in the coming weeks. A Mr. Oliver Smith refuses to purchase lime from the Winslows because they...

GLC02437.03260

to John Hancock

Writes a lengthy letter of condolence on the death of Hancock's child. Explains that only those parents who have suffered that loss can understand how it feels. Expounds upon his understanding of God, death and the afterlife, the human role in the...

GLC02437.03449

to Henry Knox

Writes on a variety of subjects. Reports that Governor [John] and Mrs. Hancock will set out in a week for New York, and that he dined with them last week at their mutual friend Ben Hichborn's. Showed Hichborn the letter he received from Knox...

GLC02437.03224

to Henry Knox

Writes on several topics. Mentions that [Samuel] Shaw will leave soon for New York and that Jackson has delivered to Shaw all of Henry Knox's brother William's luggage. Mentions that Governor [John] Hancock, his wife and family, and several others...

GLC02437.03226

to Henry Dearborn

Knox writes to Colonel Dearborn regarding lands on the Kennebec River in present-day Maine. Asks Dearborn to rescue the lands from an unspecified situation on behalf of "his Excellency the Governor," likely referring to John Hancock, Governor of...

GLC02437.03084

to John Hancock

Knox present his compliments to Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts. Acknowledges the receipt of an unspecified commission. Signed in text as "General Knox."

GLC02437.03088

to Henry Knox

Writes that in Knox's letter from 14 November, Knox had reported that his brother William Knox had not yet arrived from England, but believes Knox is mistaken since he heard that the ship had in fact arrived. Discusses the political prospects of Mr...

GLC02437.03218

[Teamsters agreement for a military expedition up the St. River Lawrence]

Written by Hancock while working for his uncle's mercantile company during the French and Indian War. Makes an agreement for provisioning the troops for the Battle of Quebec. Records a contract between "teamster, on the one part, & Thomas Hancock...

GLC07697

to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to send a copy of John Hancock's Massacre Day Oration from March 1774 under a blank paper cover, because Rivington has an immediate use for the speech commemorating the Boston Massacre. Also regquests a single copy of any well-written...

GLC02437.00182

to Henry Knox

Sends Knox pamphlets which he believes Knox does not have and will be of interest to his customers. Mentions that he has printed a letter to John Hancock in Rivington's New-York Gazetteer and would provide the opportunity for any of Hancock's...

GLC02437.00138

to Henry Knox

Discusses a variety of issues related to his presenting a petition to the Massachusetts State Legislature. Has attempted to meet with Governor [John] Hancock, who has promised to notify them when a meeting would be convenient. Describes the...

GLC02437.01629

to Henry Knox

King writes from the Massachusetts convention for ratification of the United States Constitution. Declares, "Our hopes do not diminish, although our confidence is not complete- The opposition are less positive of their strength, & those few among...

GLC02437.03774

to Henry Knox

Expresses his regret that Knox has rheumatism. Expects that Massachusetts will adopt the Constitution. Discusses several delegates who advocated its adoption. Mentions [John] Hancock's publication in the [Massachusetts] Centinel 2 February 1788...

GLC02437.03783

to Henry Knox

Discusses Massachusetts politics, primarily the election for governor and lieutenant governor. Replies to a recent letter from Knox. Writes, "I can hardly think myself of consiquence [sic] enough to receive the notice or emolument under the general...

GLC02437.03826

to Henry Knox

Reports on the Massachusetts election for governor and lieutenant governor. Encloses newspapers (not included) for Knox, on the election, noting that the papers attack "poor Cincin" (based on usage in GLC02437.03833, may refer to Benjamin Lincoln)....

GLC02437.03831

to Henry Knox

Received his recent letter with newspapers enclosed. Wanted the newspapers so he could read about the formation of the federal government. Is unhappy that the government is taking so long to assemble. Writes, "Mr. J[ohn] Adams is ready & has been...

GLC02437.04150