FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, President of Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, President of Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, Signer (Pennsylvania) . Autograph free frank ("Free BFranklin") on an address leaf of an autograph letter of former Massachusetts Royal Governor THOMAS POWNALL TO JOHN HANCOCK London, 13 April 1765. 3 pages, folio, 313 x 201mm. (12 3/8 x 7 15/16 in.), the address leaf addressed in Franklin's distinctive hand "To John Hancock Esq. Merch[an]t Boston," WITH AUTOGRAPH ENDORSEMENT OF JOHN HANCOCK "Govr. Pownall April 1765," and half of original red wax seal (Pownall's?) present, address leaf neatly inlaid to a protective sheet, barely covering Hancock endorsement. A "B FREE FRANKLIN" FRANK ON A LETTER OF GOVERNOR POWNALL TO JOHN HANCOCK CONCERNING COLONIAL BONDS The most desirable early American free frank (Benjamin Franklin's), connecting three important Americans of the late colonial period, two of whom were destined to play major roles in the approaching revolution against the English crown. Thomas Pownall (1722-1805), a skilled administrator, had returned to England in 1760 after serving since 1757 as Governor of Massachusetts. While in Boston, he had evidently entrusted certain colonial notes to the care of Thomas Hancock, Boston merchant, uncle of John Hancock and founder of the Hancock fortune. The young John Hancock became a partner in the business in 1763, just before Thomas's death in August 1764. Pownall's earlier letters inquiring about his investments have not received any replies, so to ensure Hancock's receipt of this letter, he took the unusual step of having it franked and forwarded by his close friend, the eminent Benjamin Franklin then serving as a Pennsylvania agent in London. Pownall writes: "Upon the melancholly occasion of my late good friend yr uncles death I wrote to you -- & took ye liberty to trouble you with my wish that you would be so good to acquaint me of the state of my Treasurers notes & interest which your Uncle was so good to manage for me. By my never having been favored with a Line from you I fear that either my Letters...or your Letters...or both have miscarried...." Pownall appends a list of the "Province treasurers notes" (bonds), with issue and maturity dates, which Hancock had held for Pownall, totalling some L 4,317. 11s. 8d. He then explains that the late Hancock was doubtful of "getting notes for ye rising Interest," again alluding to his dismay at not receiving a report on his investments and interest due him, and concludes by promising the young nephew that "for ye sake of my regard regard & Love to your Late Uncle you may ever command the best of my Services in any case wherein I could serve you..."
FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, President of Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, President of Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, Signer (Pennsylvania) . Autograph free frank ("Free BFranklin") on an address leaf of an autograph letter of former Massachusetts Royal Governor THOMAS POWNALL TO JOHN HANCOCK London, 13 April 1765. 3 pages, folio, 313 x 201mm. (12 3/8 x 7 15/16 in.), the address leaf addressed in Franklin's distinctive hand "To John Hancock Esq. Merch[an]t Boston," WITH AUTOGRAPH ENDORSEMENT OF JOHN HANCOCK "Govr. Pownall April 1765," and half of original red wax seal (Pownall's?) present, address leaf neatly inlaid to a protective sheet, barely covering Hancock endorsement. A "B FREE FRANKLIN" FRANK ON A LETTER OF GOVERNOR POWNALL TO JOHN HANCOCK CONCERNING COLONIAL BONDS The most desirable early American free frank (Benjamin Franklin's), connecting three important Americans of the late colonial period, two of whom were destined to play major roles in the approaching revolution against the English crown. Thomas Pownall (1722-1805), a skilled administrator, had returned to England in 1760 after serving since 1757 as Governor of Massachusetts. While in Boston, he had evidently entrusted certain colonial notes to the care of Thomas Hancock, Boston merchant, uncle of John Hancock and founder of the Hancock fortune. The young John Hancock became a partner in the business in 1763, just before Thomas's death in August 1764. Pownall's earlier letters inquiring about his investments have not received any replies, so to ensure Hancock's receipt of this letter, he took the unusual step of having it franked and forwarded by his close friend, the eminent Benjamin Franklin then serving as a Pennsylvania agent in London. Pownall writes: "Upon the melancholly occasion of my late good friend yr uncles death I wrote to you -- & took ye liberty to trouble you with my wish that you would be so good to acquaint me of the state of my Treasurers notes & interest which your Uncle was so good to manage for me. By my never having been favored with a Line from you I fear that either my Letters...or your Letters...or both have miscarried...." Pownall appends a list of the "Province treasurers notes" (bonds), with issue and maturity dates, which Hancock had held for Pownall, totalling some L 4,317. 11s. 8d. He then explains that the late Hancock was doubtful of "getting notes for ye rising Interest," again alluding to his dismay at not receiving a report on his investments and interest due him, and concludes by promising the young nephew that "for ye sake of my regard regard & Love to your Late Uncle you may ever command the best of my Services in any case wherein I could serve you..."
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