ALS (a retained copy), signed “JH,” one page, 7.25 x 6, May 9, 1782. Hancock, as Governor of Massachusetts, writes to the Massachusetts General Court regarding the difficulty in obtaining funds to improve the barracks at Castle Island. In full: “Immediately after the Secretary laid before me your Resolve of the 7th Inst. I issued a Warrant & made Applications to the Treasurer for the Money to purchase the Materials necessary for the Repairs of the Barracks at Castle island, but could obtain none […] of which will prevent me from Carrying into Effect your Resolve of April 26th requesting me to order the Recruits to the Castle, the Barracks in their present State being entirely unfit for their Accommodation. Should the General Court think proper to make any other Disposition of those men, I will use all possible means to have it Executed.” Castle Island, located in Boston Harbor, was the oldest continuously fortified site in British North America. The British fort there was seized by the Americans during the Revolutionary War and, in 1799, renamed Fort Independence. Formerly in the Hancock-Chase collection at the National Museum of American History. In very good condition, with complete horizontal separation and related paper loss (professionally repaired) affecting a few words, partial separation to a crossed-out line of text, toning, and light edge wear, none of the above affecting the signature. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
