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JOHN HANCOCK A.L.S.

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
JOHN HANCOCK A.L.S.
<b>19. JOHN HANCOCK</b> War-date A.L.S. "<i>J.H.</i>" as Governor of Massa-chusetts, 1p. 4to., Boston, Nov. 2, 1781, his draft of a message for the State Senate and House of Representatives. Hancock refuses to approve a resolve concerning the estate of an absentee landlord, in part: "<i>...The Secretary has laid before me a Resolve which pass'd the Two Houses...determining the House lately Occupied by Benjamin Hallowell...I have reason to think that the House & Land are not [his] property, under these circumstances it cannot be Expected that I should give my Sanction to the Resolve...</i>". Hancock has crossed out two later paragraphs in which he seems to criticize the ability of the General Court to ascertain the values of estates, stating that the intended lease cost would be inadequate. He instead opts for a more diplomatic out: "<i>...Lest I should Injure the Creditors of the late Benjamin Hallowell...</i>". Top horizontal fold separated, and other is weak, both reinforced with archival tape on verso, else very good.<b>$2,500-3,500</b>