Revolutionary War-dated manuscript draft of a message to the Massachusetts General Assembly, written in the hand of Governor John Hancock and Secretary of the Commonwealth John Avery, one page, both sides, 7.5 x 12.75, September 24, 1781. The longer first portion of the draft is written by Avery and reads: “Gentlemen, During the Recess of the General Assembly I have been repeatedly applied to by Mr. Charles Miller D. C. G. Purchases representing that this Department was destitute of Flour & requesting that he might be supplied with money to purchase the same. Mr. Richardson, the Commissary of supplies has made a Representation, which accompanies this message, that he has been oblidged to borrow of Mr. Edward Tuckerman Baker a large Quantity of Flour in order to prevent the Troops at this Post from suffering & the Recruits from being detained for the want of Bread—Informed the Deputy Commissary General that there was not any money in the Treasury appropriated for this Purpose, that it would be best to prevail with Mr. Tuckerman to Continue to Supply the Commissary of these & I would recommend it to the General Court as soon as they came together to make Provision for the reimbursement of Mr. Tuckerman & for furnishing him with a supply of money to procure that Flour as might be necessary for this Department I most earnestly recommend an Immediate attention to this Matter either way the Credit of Government May Suffer greatly.”
The remaining section, written by Hancock, reads as follows: “I have also directed the Secretary to lay before you a Letter which I received yesterday by Express from Major General Heath purporting that the Enemy in Canada have for some time past been making Preparations and that their Designs were apparent to annoy the frontiers of this or some other of this State which I recommend to you immediate notice.” In very good condition, with light staining, and splitting to the fragile horizontal folds.
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