Lot 349
Hancock, John (1737-1793) First president of the Continental Congress (1775-1777), first Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Governor of Massachusetts (1780-1785; 1787-1793). AL as Governor of Massachusetts, 1p, 8½" x 7¾", Boston, 1783 May 7. This is Hancock's retained copy of his letter to fellow Signer Robert Morris, "Superintendant of Finance," regarding Colonel Richard Gridley. Fine; light creasing; some archival fold repairs on verso. In full:
"Sir Your fav.r 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 paper, the General Court having Refer'd the Matter to Congress. The Sacrifice Coll. Gridley made in the Loss of his half pay by entering 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.
As soon as our General Court meets I shall lay your other Letters before them and will Transmit their Resolutions to you…."
Colonel Richard Gridley (1710-1796) was a veteran of the French and Indian War. He was commissioned chief engineer and colonel of artillery at the outbreak of the Revolution. He supervised the construction of earthworks on Breed's Hill and was wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill on 17 June. He was appointed Chief Engineer of the Continental Army after Washington took command in July 1775. Gridley retired in 1781 at the age of 70 and, as evidenced by this letter, was still owed money from his Revolutionary War service. The present-day United States Army Corps of Engineers considers Gridley to be its founding father.
Robert Morris (1734-1806) was known as the Financier of the American Revolution. He signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. Ironically, because of financial losses suffered from land speculation, he was sent to debtor's prison in later life.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
The Hancock-Chase Collection, formerly housed at the National Museum of American History.
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