Lot #251

John Hancock

Description

In 1776, shortly before Independence, as ordered by Congress, John Hancock signs a commission of a private ship of war, authorizing the commander “to fit out and set forth the said Schooner in a warlike Manner, and ... by Force of Arms, to attack, seize, and take the Ships and other Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of Great-Britain ... on the High-Seas”

Partly printed DS, one page, 12 x 7.5, July 24, 1776. In part: “To All unto whom these Presents do grant Licence and Authority to William Gray Mariner, Commander of the Schoo[ne]r called the Scorpion of the Burthen of Forty five Tons, or thereabouts, belonging to Elias Hasket Derby & Ichabod Nichols of Salem in the State [“Colony” crossed out] of Massachusetts Bay mounting Eight Carriage Sixteen Swivel Guns, and navigated by Forty Men; to fit out and set forth the said Schooner in a warlike Manner, and by and with the said Schooner and the Crew thereof, by Force of Arms, to attack, seize, and take the Ships and other Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of Great-Britain, or any of them, with their Tackle, Apparel, Furniture and Ladings, on the High Seas, or between high-water and low-water Marks, and to bring the same to some convenient Ports in the said Colonies [not corrected], in Order that the Courts, which are or shall be there appointed to hear and determine Causes civil and maritime, may proceed in due Form to condemn the said Captures, if they be adjudged lawful Prize.” In very good condition, with slight pinholes of paper loss and small separations along folds, vertical fold through a single letter of Hancock’s signature, professional cleaning in the areas around the handwritten portions, and scattered soiling and light toning. Oversized. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.

Auction Info

• Auction Title:
• Dates: #346 - Ended June 17, 2009

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This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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