Partly-printed DS, signed “John Hancock” and "S. Adams," one page, 11.5 x 17, June 25, 1789. As governor of Massachusetts, Hancock appoints "Silas Taylor of Boxboro esq're to be one of the Justices to keep the Peace in our County of Middlesex for the term of seven years, if during that time he shall behave well in that office." Boldly signed on the left side below the affixed seal by Hancock, and countersigned at the conclusion by John Avery as junior secretary. Endorsed on the reverse by Adams as lieutenant governor, beneath a manuscript statement dated July 11, 1789, certifying that Taylor "took the several Oaths required by the Constitution of this Commonwealth to qualify himself." In very good to fine condition, with light toning and small areas of paper loss along intersecting folds, and complete separation to the central horizontal fold which could easily be repaired. The white wafer seal is fully intact, and Hancock’s signature bold and prominent. Adams would succeed Hancock as governor upon his death in 1793, and went on to be elected for four consecutive annual terms. An exceptionally desirable combination of two foremost leaders of the American Revolution, this is just the fourth Hancock-Adams document we have offered.
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