JOHN HANCOCK Handwritten Letter/Document (as Gov.) Signed J.H. , Oct 23, 1783 For Sale

Gov. John Hancock Handwritten Letter/Document Signed J.H, Oct 23, 1783Hancock, John (1736-1793) - Autograph letter signed to the Gentleman of Senate and House - American merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. Autograph Letter Signed \"JH\". As Governor of Massachusetts, to the MA General Court (\"Gentleman of the Senate & . House of Represent:\"), promising to sign a bill altering shipping regulations should both houses support it. 1 page, 7.5 x 12.0 inch, Council Cham(ber), 1783, October 23. In full: \"Gentleman of the Senate & Gentleman of the House of Represent: The Secretary has laid before me a Bill, intitled an Act for Altering & Amending one Clause or part of an Act made & passed the last Sitting of the General Court, intitled An Act for Regulating Pilotage in several Ports in this Common Wealth. It is my Duty to mention to you, Gentlemen, that the Governor & Council in the Establishments of the Fees of the Vinyard Pilots, were greatly influenc\'d by the Additional Expences that would Arise to them from each one of them being obliged to keep a Deck\'d Boat. This Bill relieves them from that Burden, & I should think the Navigation should meet a proportionable Relief. I shall be ready to Sign the Bill if the Two houses are pleas\'d to accord in the Addition.\" Short separation at fold near left edge and expertly repaired with tissue on verso, faint dampstaining at folds near left edge, else good condition. COMES WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY BY ANDREAS WIEMER HISTORICAL AUTOGRAPHS. Seller Inventory # ABE-1611762595895
John Hancock’s Autograph Letter Signed to the Senate and HouseJohn Hancock’s autograph letter signed to the “Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives” is a 1783 official communication from his role as Governor of Massachusetts, in which he either addressed a legislative bill or reported on a political matter, and is authenticated by historical autograph specialists.Key Example — October 23, 1783One well‑documented example is a one‑page letter, 7.5 × 12 inches, written in the Council Chamber, Boston, and signed “JH” AbeBooks+1. In it, Hancock, as Governor, refers to a bill titled An Act for Altering & Amending one Clause or part of an Act… for Regulating Pilotage in several Ports in this Common Wealth.The letter explains that the Governor and Council had been burdened by the cost of maintaining decked boats for “Vinyard Pilots,” and that the proposed bill would relieve them of this expense. Hancock states:“I shall be ready to Sign the Bill if the Two houses are pleas’d to accord in the Addition” AbeBooks.This shows his willingness to endorse the measure if both houses of the Massachusetts General Court agreed to the amendment. The letter is in good condition, with minor repairs and faint dampstaining, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Andreas Wiemer Historical Autographs AbeBooks+1.Another Notable Letter — February 7, 1783A different autograph letter signed by Hancock, dated February 7, 1783, was addressed to the same recipients HistoryForSale+1. In this one, Hancock reported receiving an application from members of the Penobscot Tribe for supplies, and recommended that the matter be considered by the General Court. This letter was written less than eight months before the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War.Historical ContextJohn Hancock (1736–1793) was a prominent Patriot, first signer of the Declaration of Independence, and served as Governor of Massachusetts from 1780–1785 and 1787 until his death in 1793 HistoryForSale+1. As Governor, he frequently corresponded with the General Court on legislative and administrative matters, and his autograph letters are valued for their political and historical significance.CollectibilityThese letters are sought after by historians and collectors for their direct connection to Hancock’s governance and the political climate of the post‑Revolutionary period. Authenticity is typically confirmed by specialists such as Andreas Wiemer Historical Autographs or third‑party certification services AbeBooks+1.In summary: The “Gentlemen of the Senate & House” autograph letters from Hancock are original, signed communications from his time as Governor of Massachusetts, dealing with legislative bills or political matters, and are preserved as important Revolutionary War‑era documents.