RARE OFFICIAL 1776 MILITARY COMMISSION BOLDLY SIGNED BY JOHN HANCOCK, FIRST SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, FOR CHARLES BUTLER, A MILITIAMAN FROM WETHERFIELD, CONNECTICUT

HANCOCK, John. Document signed. [Philadelphia], January 1, 1776. Folio, original leaf of ivory wove paper (11-1/2 by 9-1/2 inches) printed, completed in manuscript in a secretarial hand, matted and framed with engraved portrait, entire piece measures 21 by 14 inches.

Exceedingly rare 1776 official congressional military commission appointing Charles Butter, Gentleman, as a second lieutenant, signed by Hancock. In 1776 Hancock, as President of the Second Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, reportedly penning his name large so King George III could read it without glasses. As Founding Father, Hancock was “a key figure in securing independence and creating the republic.” Twice governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in 1788 he was named President of the Constitutional Convention debating the U.S. Constitution—urging its ratification in what many historians consider “Hancock’s finest moment.” Handsomely matted and framed.

This rare official document of the Second Continental Congress is signed by John Hancock and dated January the first, 1776. The document reads, in full, with the portions completed in manuscript in italics: "In Congress. The Delegates of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to Charles Butler Gentleman. We reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct and fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Second Lieutenant of Captain Samuel Wright's Company in the twenty-second Regiment of Foot Commanded by Colonel Samuel Wyllys in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Second Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Second Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress. Albert Chas Thomson Junr. January the first, 1776. By Order of the Congress, John Hancock President." With his bold signature, Hancock grants Charles Butler a commission as a Second Lieutenant of infantry.

Hancock is most famous as the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence, yet as a Founding Father he was central to the American Revolution from its very beginning, and also played a pivotal role in ratification of the U.S. Constitution—"undoubtedly the most original contribution of the United Sates to the history and technique of human liberty" (Morison, 316). In 1768 it was the seizure of Hancock's sloop Liberty that led to an uprising against the British and cast him as "a martyr to the patriot cause. In recognition of his role as a leader of the resistance, in March 1774 Hancock was asked to deliver the annual Massacre Day oration… He delivered a stirring oration reminding his listeners of the terrible thing done by British soldiers on that day. The speech, coming so soon after the Boston Tea Party, created a great stir in the town." Not long afterward, when Britain passed a series of laws punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, Hancock was elected president of the newly formed Provincial Congress and in December was named a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. He was in Lexington in April 1775 with Samuel Adams "when Paul Revere arrived to warn them of the approach of British troops. Hancock and Adams escaped, and within a few days of the events at Lexington and Concord they were en route to Philadelphia to attend the Continental Congress," where Hancock was elected President. After the Declaration was approved by the delegates, Hancock's signature appeared on the printed rough copies that were submitted to state assemblies, conventions and relevant committees, and after the Declaration was engrossed on parchment, on August 2nd Hancock became the first to boldly sign the official Declaration, reportedly penning his name large so that King George III could read it without his glasses.

When, in 1780, Massachusetts approved a state constitution, Hancock was elected the first governor of the commonwealth, serving until his surprising resignation due to ill health in 1785. After the disastrous outbreak of Shays' Rebellion, Hancock ran for the governorship again and easily won a second term in 1787, serving until 1793 and leading Massachusetts "at a time when a national movement was under way to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new constitution. This movement resulted in the convening of the Constitutional Convention in May 1787. When as governor Hancock received the proposed federal Constitution for ratification, he summoned a joint session of the Massachusetts House and Senate and laid the document before it" (ANB). Hancock was promptly named President of the Constitutional Convention in January 1788—at a time when Federalist and Anti-Federalist divisions over ratification of the federal Constitution seemed to threaten America's revolutionary cause. In truth, "the entire future of the United States was at stake" (Maier, 17). Amidst heated debate, Hancock made a speech that ultimately sealed approval of the U.S. Constitution. "The question now before you," he said to the delegates, "is such as no nation on earth, without the limits of America, have ever had the privilege of deciding upon… we must all rise or fall together." At his urging Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Historians agree: "without Hancock's support it seems unlikely that ratification would have occurred. This was Hancock's finest moment, for without the support of Massachusetts the entire constitutional effort might have failed." Hancock was "a key figure in securing independence and creating the republic… and he played a critical role in promoting harmony among the founding fathers at important moments in the revolutionary era" (ANB).

Charles Butler (1732-1783), a native of Wethersfield, Connecticut, marched as a sergeant with his town's company on the Lexington Alarm in April 1775. The following week, encamped near Boston, Butler was promoted to ensign in the 9th Company of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Spencer. The regiment remained in Boston throughout the siege, manning the lines at Roxbury. (A detachment of the 2nd Connecticut is believed to have fought at Bunker Hill). In late 1775, Butler became a 2nd lieutenant in Col. Wyllys (22nd Continental) Regiment. Butler's promotion was confirmed with the present document, signed and executed by John Hancock on January 1, 1776. When the British evacuated Boston in March 1776, Butler marched with his regiment to New York, where they spent much of the summer constructing fortifications in Brooklyn before seeing action at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776. Following the retreat from New York, Lieutenant Butler fell ill, and in early October was listed as sick and unfit for duty. The regiment was present at White Plains, and following that battle marched to Peekskill until the expirations of their terms of service at the end of 1776. (Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War, NARA, M881).

Faint fold lines to document, a bit of foxing to portrait. A handsome framed piece in fine condition, Hancock's signature bold. Wartime commissions such as this one signed by Hancock are quite rare and desirable.