Hancock, John (1737-1793) to Robert Morris
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 #: GLC04431 Author/Creator: Hancock, John (1737-1793) Place Written: Baltimore, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 February 1777 Pagination: 1 p. : address: docket : free frank ; 36.2 x 23.6 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress to Morris as a Continental Congressman from Pennsylvania. Reports to Morris that Congress will return to Philadelphia, and suggests that its return may relieve some of the burden of Morris's work. Says he has sent his secretary to secure a house for him. Hancock also asks for wagons to transport the papers of Congress from Baltimore. Asks for four of them. Concluding with a kind postscript: "A number of friends... dine with me tomorrow, when we shall not be unmindful of our Philada friends." Free frank is in Hancock's signature on address leaf. Red wax seal is extent.
Baltimore Febry. 18th 1777
My Dear Sir
I send Mr Tailor my secr.y to Philad.a to procure a suitable house well furnished for me, and I have taken the Liberty to desire him to apply to you for yor advice in this instance, not doubting yor Lead Office -- Congress will adjourn on Tuesday next to that Day week then to meet in Phliad.a [struck: when] [inserted: and] I hope on Saturday or Sunday week to take you by the hand; my Friend, it will give me pleasure to see you, & I hope on coming there will in some degree Releive you from the great Burden that has laid upon you, I assure you I have felt for you. No money, constant a public action for it, & a steady succession of Business to attend to, has made yor [illegible] hard indeed, however you gave up all Pro Bono public, & I know you will persevere, & you are as well calculated to go thro' Business as any Gentlemen I know, that I believe you bear up under it as were as any gentn. could -- pray do hurry on the Waggons I wrote you for this morng. I cannot move without them, nor can Thompson, four will be enough, do let them be good & well cover'd, with good homes & drivers - can I be of any service to Mr Morris on the Road Command one if I can. I am almost hurried out of my Life, but I will bear up, complaints to Mr Tarbor Genl Meade, Mr Nesbit Mr Beach & Enquiring Friends. I hope soon to join you at the Oyster Club ~ Adieu & believe me
Yours Sincerely
John Hancock
A number of Friends,
Surviance, Luve, Peters &c &s
dine with me tomorrow,
when we shall not be
unmindful of our Thiled Friends -
Honeble Mr Morris -
[address leaf]
To
The Hone Robert Morris Esqr
at
Philada
[docket]
By Mr Tailor
John Hancock }
Batto 18 Toby ours
Jno Hancock Esqr.
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.