Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) to John Hancock
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00853 Author/Creator: Pickering, Timothy (1745-1829) Place Written: Totowa, New Jersey Type: Manuscript document Date: 12 November 1780 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 34.2 x 21.6 cm. Order a Copy
Signed for Knox by Shaw. Henry Knox's retained copy. Congratulates Hancock on becoming the Governor of Massachusetts and brings the suffering of the Massachusetts soldiers to Hancock's attention. The text is in the hand of Henry Knox, but the closing, signatures, and docketing are added in the hand of Samuel Shaw. The was originally drafted by Timothy Pickering as indicated by a note added later at the top, "[Drafted by Col. Pickering]." See also GLC02437.00854 which includes a note stating, "Instead of the foregoing - the one drafted by Col. Pickering was sent."
[Draft]
To his Excellency John Hancock Esqr
Govr of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Sir
The undersign'd General and Field Officers of the Massachusetts Troops, in behalf of themselves and their Brethren in the Field, take the earliest opportunity to present your Excellency, with the Congratulations on your advancment to the highest seat in the Government of the State: an elevation the more Honorable as being effected by the Voluntary Suffrages of a free people.
We are happy that such a mode of Electing the first Magistrate and principal officers of Government is fix'd by the Constitution of the State; a mode so contrived as to preclude delay, and which cannot be subjected to corrupt Influence on the one hand, nor on the other to riotous tumult or cabal.
We are happy that the Constitution is framed on such Generous and Enlarg'd principles, that no member of the State whatever be his Occupation, or employment whose Circumstances under him sufficiently Independent, and who gives reasonable assurances of his Fidelity, can be excluded from any of the rights of a free Citizen. We shall be happy when the time shall come, that we may again assume the Character of citizens only; a Character of which we never divested ourselves even in Idea: -
[2] We shall be happy to partake with our fellow citizens the blessings of a well earned peace: And our happiness will be compleated in the reflection, that, under the direction of Heaven, we by our exertions, sufferings, and dangers, in Conjunction with those of our fellow soldiers, have been so greatly Instrumental in acquiring them.
But before that wished for period shall arrive, much remains to be performed, much still to be endured, and in doing and suffering we shall Cheerfully participate with our fellow citizens. - Much especially will be Expected from those, who hold distinguished posts in public life: - Placed at the Head of the Government your Excellency will have many Opportunities, of rendering the most important services to the country at large and to the Troops of the common-Wealth of Massachusetts in particular: and your discernment of its true Interest joined with your fellow feeling for those who greatly suffer in their Country's cause, will Induce you to improve them.
We will no longer detain your Excellency than to Express our sincere wishes, that the execution of your very important Office may be attended with all that success, and applause of your fellow citizens, which a wise and faithful administration of the Government shall deserve.
/signed by/
HKnox. B.G. Artillery
J. Glover B.G.
J. Paterson B.G.
Timo Pickering Col. & HMG
and by the officers commanding regiments in the Massa [text lost]
Camp at Totowa,
- 12 Nov. 1780
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.