Unsigned letter in Hancock’s hand, one page both sides, 7.75 x 12.5, April 29, 1782. Hancock, then Governor of Massachusetts, writes to the General Assembly clarifying his role in a touchy issue involving the reduction of troops at the garrison at Dartmouth and the effect on that fort’s defenses. In part: “True it is, that Thirteen of the Men doing duty there, were Call’d to Boston but was done by me in consequence of the Request 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 my carrying into effect a Resolve authorizing me to Enlist Men for the very Service these Men from Dartmouth perform’d here. With the letters I laid before the Gen’l Court at the opening of the present Session was one from Brig. General Freeman requesting that number of men might be Engag’d for a certain Term for the Protection of the Southern Sea Coast, and I should Submit it to the Consideration of the Gen’l Court, whether it would not be more expedient, should the Court Adopt the Measure recommended in Gen’l 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 Artillery Corps here, more especially as the Court have Indulg’d some of that Corps, as well as Some of the Troops and the Castle to Engage on board the Frigates, which has lessen’d the Number 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 & will Occasion the Addition of men here at a much greater Expence than they could be obtained at Dartmouth for the Security of their own Coast. That under the present Circumstances I could not with propriety Sign the Resolve until I had your further Decision upon this Representation.” Formerly part of the Hancock-Chase collection at the National Museum of American History. In very good condition, with toning, discolorations, folds with edge separations, missing piece to top edge affecting a few words, and losses to left margin that have been professionally restored, slightly affecting a few words. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
