DS, boldly signed “John Hancock,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.5 x 12, August 3, 1790. A court martial in a secretarial hand outlining two separate cases. In the first, three prisoners, Robert Stewared, John Pain, and Ebenezer Root, pled guilty to concealing themselves with intent to escape; their punishment was “fifty stripes on their naked Backs.” In the second case, John Kinney, who was found guilty of setting fire to the prison, was sentenced to “100 stripes on his naked back.” Hancock has signed on the final page, beneath the secretarial notation, “I do approve of the above sentence of Court martial, and Order that it be put into execution tomorrow morning at Eight O’Clock.” In very good condition, with usual light toning, folds with pinholes and partial separations (away from signature), and mild wear and a few chips to edges. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
