Autograph endorsement signed, "Please to pay the Contents to Messrs. Barnard & Harrison or ord'r Value Rec'd, John Hancock," on the reverse of a 7.25 x 4 manuscript document, March 24, 1766. A color copy of the front of the document is included: it is a bill of exchange issued at Boston by Henry Atkins, in part: "Forty Days after Sight pay this my third of Exchange, First & Second not paid to John Hancock Esq., or order in London Three Hundred & ten Pounds Sterling Value Receiv'd & charge to account." Archivally mounted, matted, and framed under Tru-Vue Museum Glass to an overall size of 10.5 x 13.5. In fine condition.
Jonathan Barnard and Gilbert Harrison were London merchants who counted John Hancock's uncle, Thomas Hancock, as one of their major customers. When John Hancock inherited the business in 1764, he maintained the affiliation with Barnard & Harrison. He partnered with them in the purchase of a brigantine—the Harrison—and urged them to lobby against the Stamp Act before the British government. He wrote to Barnard & Harrison on the subject on February 26, 1766: 'I am very glad you have interested yourselves for us & wish your application may produce the Desired Effect. I am sure it is as much for the interest of Great Britain as ourselves to Ease our trade & in the case of the Stamp Act, there seems a necessity of Repealing it for almost to a man throughout the Continent, they are determined to oppose it, but I hope very soon to hear some good acct. from you. Do give me the earliest notice that the Parliament determines. I imagine the Brig Harrison will be the first Vessel here if the Stamp Act be repealed.'
With the repeal of the Stamp Act on March 18, 1766, the Brig. Harrison soon departed from Britain for Boston, bringing both news of the repeal and a wealth of goods to be sold throughout New England. On May 19th, the Boston Gazette reported: 'It is worthy Remark that the Vessel which bro’t us the glorious News of the total Repeal of the Stamp Act is owned by that worthy Patriot, John Hancock, Esq; who first ventured his Ship with a very rich Cargo for London, with a Clearance without the Stamp.'
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