Autographs
June 17, 1776 Report of Early Continental Naval Successes Mailed to John Hancock as Continental Congress President Five American Privateers Engage British Naval Forces John Hancock's Retained Copy, Docket in John Hancock's Hand
JOHN BRADFORD (1735-1784). Member of the Committee of Correspondence and The Committee of Secret Correspondence. In April, 1776, Congress appointed him "Agent for Prizes" for Boston, the most important such position in the colonies, and also as Continental Agent to assist the Marine Committee in purchasing and outfitting ships.
(JOHN HANCOCK) (1737-1793). Acting President of the 2nd Continental Congress (May 24, 1775-1777) meeting in Philadelphia and the First to Sign the Declaration of Independence.
June 17, 1776-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Autograph Letter Signed, "J(ohn) Bradford" to John Hancock, 1 page, measuring about 7.75" x 6.25", with Integral Transmittal Cover, having some serious splits and small holes at folds, otherwise Very Good. Integral Transmittal Cover reads: "To --- The Honble. John Hancock Esqr. / Philadelphia" with a faded red "BOST(ON)N stamp city and has a circular Franklin red stamped "17 / IV" (within) postal stamping, small tear when red wax seal was opened on the edge below. Small pieces missing from integral cover page, which also falls in-between two lines of text and doesn't affect the letter's text, fold splits and scattered tone spots as shown. Written in brown ink and easy to read, this letter ends with Bradford's bold signature and flourish. Docket on the back, to the right of the Integral Transmital Cover, is written by John Hancock's own hand reading, in full: "Jno. Bradford / 1776".
Captain John Bradford, a protg of John Hancock, was the Continental Army agent and "Prize Agent" for the Port of Boston during the American Revolutionary War. His responsibilities included equipping ships and troops at Boston Harbor, as well as dividing the proceeds of captured enemy ships between the government and the privateers. Here, John Bradford writes to then acting President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, describing a sea battle between British ships seeking to resupply Boston and George Washington's "Little Navy" of five ships. This extremely important letter reads, in full:
" Boston 17th June 1776 --- Dear Sir ---
Since I clos'd my Ltr. the Boat wch (which) I sent down to Nantasket is Return'd, and David Spear Reports that the Ship & Brig. have 200 Soldiers on board, our privateers (five in number) engaged them the greatest part of yesterday at sea, but could not Conquer them, they all left them, finding the transports Aim'd to get into Boston, precautions were taken below (as there happen'd to be a Comm'e at the Light House Island) not to suffer any boats to go out, the vessells (sic) Ran in the first of the e(nem)y and was follow'd by our Cruisers, when another smart engagement took place & they defended themselves till their Major was Shot Dead when they Struck (their flag). Their Colonel & the officers are now on their Passage up to town. We had only four men wounded, what number they've lost I know not. I congratulate you and my Country on this happy Event, may our arms still prove victorious. --- I am your most Respectfully -- (Signed) Jn. Bradford"

For a number of reasons, Revolutionary War letters with this sort of content are extremely rare. Letters like this one, describing Revolutionary War naval engagements, are rarer still, and the importance of this letter is increased when one realizes that it is describing one of the first true "battles" of the war, where both sides were armed and determined to overpower the other. There is uneven foxing and chipping at one of the letter's folds, none of which has resulted in the loss of any of the text or effected the readability of the letter. Overall this letter is in readable condition for display. A similar "John Bradford" ALS sent to John Hancock as President of the Continental Congress, dated July 15th, 1776, with mention of his receiving a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and having a similar docket written by Hancock, sold for $27,500 in an East coast auction in April 2019. This current important ALS from John Bradford is an historic example certainly worthy of conservation. A truly rare original piece of Revolutionary War history.
Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II. Ex: The Hancock-Chase Collection, formerly housed at the National Museum of American History.
In May 1775, John Hancock was elected President of the Continental Congress, which was meeting in Philadelphia. The next month, the Congress chose George Washington (1732-1799) as commander of the Continental Army. During the eight years of war that followed, Hancock used his wealth and influence to help fund the army and Revolutionary cause.
On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document drafted by Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) stating that the 13 American colonies were free from British rule. The document also detailed the importance of individual rights and freedoms. As President of the Continental Congress, Hancock is credited as the first Signer of the Declaration of Independence. His prominent, stylish signature became famous. (According to legend, Hancock boldly inscribed his name so the English king would not need glasses to read it.) Today, the term "John Hancock" is synonymous with "signature."
After resigning as head of the Continental Congress in 1777, Hancock had his chance for military glory in 1778, when he led some 5,000 Massachusetts soldiers in an attempt to recapture Newport, Rhode Island, from the British. Although the mission was a failure, Hancock remained a popular figure.
Hancock went on to help frame the Massachusetts Constitution, adopted in 1780, and was elected Governor of Massachusetts by a wide margin that same year. In 1789, Hancock was a candidate in the first U.S. Presidential election, but received only four electoral votes out of a total 138 cast. George Washington garnered 69 votes, while John Adams (1735-1826) captured 36 votes, earning the two men the Presidency and Vice Presidency, respectively.
Hancock remained Governor of Massachusetts until his death at age 56 on October 8, 1793. Following an extravagant funeral, he was buried at Boston's Granary Burying Ground.
John Bradford (1735"84) was a Member of the Committee of Correspondence and The Committee of Secret Correspondence. In April, 1776, Congress appointed him "Agent for Prizes" for Boston, the most important such position in the colonies, and also as Continental Agent to assist the Marine Committee in purchasing and outfitting ships.