LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25251

John Hancock Autograph Letter.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
John Hancock Autograph Letter.
<B>John Hancock Autograph Letter.</B></I> One page, 7.75" x 8.5", Boston, May 7, 1783. Written to Robert Morris, regarding Colonel Richard Gridley (Hancock's retained copy). Colonel Richard Gridley was born and raised in Boston, and trained as a military engineer. He enjoyed a long career with the British military in America, and was commissioned chief engineer and colonel of artillery at the outbreak of the Revolution. He was replaced, however, because of his advanced age, and was later engineer general of the eastern department. He was somewhat controversial in Boston because, having become a Universalist, he was not considered to be "a Christian." Here Hancock writes U.S. Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris to reconcile Gridley's compensation for military service. In part it reads: "<I>Your favor of March 18 I have had the Honor of Receiving relative to Colonel Gridley. The Inclosures will inform you of the Agreement made with Colonel Gridley at an early Period of the Contest, and of all the Transactions upon that Subject. I cannot find that any other Advances Grants or Payments have been made to him than are mention'd in the Inclos'd papers, the General Court having Refer'd the Matter to Congress. The Sacrifice Col. Gridley made in the loss of his half pay entering into the service of the United States merits the Attention of the Publick, and I am persuaded you will do all in your power that the Old Gentleman may Receive an Adequate Compensation.</B></I>" The provenance comes from the Hancock-Chase Collection, formerly housed at the National Museum of American History. A fine war-period letter from one of the great figures of the Independence movement to another Declaration signer and legendary financier of the Revolution. In fine condition; almost complete clean separation along one fold; light overall toning. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</
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