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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Hancock, John (1737-1793) to Joseph Otis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03315 Author/Creator: Hancock, John (1737-1793) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Letter signed Date: 13 September 1779 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 31.8 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy

Writen in secretarial hand and signed by Hancock as a Major General of Massachusetts militia to Otis as Brigadier General of the militia of the County of Barnstable, Massachusetts. From an order of the council wants a full return to be made of the name, rank, and place of abode of every officer in the brigade under Otis. Also wants to know what vacant offices are available and to put that information in a separate column. Asks for the information as soon as possible. Postscript asks that he forward the enclosed (not included here). Free frank is Hancock's signature.

Boston Septemr: 13.th 1779
Sir
I have Rece'd such orders from The Hon.l The Major Part of the Council, as makes it necessary to make application to you, and you will please immediately on Receipt of this to issue your orders for a full Return to be made of the Name, Rank & Place of abode of every officer in the Brigade under your Commands, as also what Vacant offices there are in the Brigade; the letter you will order to be Return'd in a seperate Column, I beg you to pay the utmost Attention to see this order carried into immediate Execution, and make me the Returns as early as possible, that I may Comply with the orders of the Hon.l Council
Beg the favr,
one will please I am with Respect
to forward the Sir your very Huml Servt
Inclos'd John Hancock 1st Maj Gen:

[docket]
1779 Sepr. 13

[address leaf]
To
Joseph Otis Esq.r Brigadier of the Militias
of the County of Barnstable

[address leaf]
(Orders)
To
Joseph Otis Esq.r Brigadier
of the Militia in the County of
Barnstable At
Barnstable
John Hancock}

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