Partially printed DS, one page both sides, 11 x 17, Commonwealth of Massachusetts letterhead, February 10, 1790. In part: “Know ye that we have assigned and constituted and so by these presents, with the Advice and Consent of the Council, constitute and appoint Nathaniel Ames of Dedham to be one of the Justices to keep the Peace in our County of Suffolk for the term of seven years, if, during that time, he shall behave well in the same office … and to do and perform in the County aforesaid, all and whatsoever, according to our Laws and Ordinance; or any of the…and with others Justices of the Peace in the same County…” Hancock, as Governor, has boldly penned his large signature in the left margin; Adams, as Lieutenant Governor, has signed on the reverse, “S. Adams.” The document, which bears an intact Massachusetts wafer seal at upper left, is countersigned by secretary John Avery. The appointee, Nathaniel Ames, was a physician and, more famously, the publisher of the widely read Astronomical Diary and Almanack; that publication’s popularity and influence were such that Benjamin Franklin adopted it as the model for his own, even more successful Poor Richard’s Almanack. In very good condition, with mild toning, light edge wear, a few light spots, and folds and associated separations with no loss of text (some tape repairs to reverse; one separation touching final stroke of Hancock’s signature). COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
