Autograph Letter signed by John Hancock to an unnamed correspondent, ca. 1775-1776.

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Third President of the second Continental Congress, John Hancock, wrote the letter in reference to the impending battles that would be fought on New York and New Jersey grounds in 1776. After an unsuccessful campaign by the British forces in Boston, George Washington as commander-in-chief of the new Continental Army sent his troops to New York to fight the British Army under General Sir William Howe. Colonel Alexander William, Lord Stirling, was promoted to Brigadier General in March 1776 and was captured the following August in the Battle of Long Island.

From the Historical Documents Collection.