Beschreibung:

HANCOCK, JOHN, Signer (Massachusetts), President of the Continental Congress. Autograph manuscript speech as Governor of Massachusetts, to "Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives" (of Massachusetts), n.p., n.d. [ ca. 1788]. 3 1/4 pages, 4to, very discreetly silked, blank portion of page 4 with inscription: "This paper I selected from some hundreds of pieces...of John Hancock the President of the Old Continental Congress which were placed in my hands by a descendent of the Quincys and heir of John Hancock ..F. Stewart." HANCOCK'S ADDRESS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE FOLLOWING RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION, REGARDING THE NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS Apparently a draft, with several emendations by Governor Hancock, of an important address to the Massachusetts Legislature, heralding the new "form of Government" under the Constitution (ratified by the state on 6 February 1788), the changes mandated by it, and addressing the question of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Since the previous adjournment of the Legislature, Hancock reports, his ill health and "the recess of Congress has prevented my having any public Communications"; he has "little business in which the Union is concerned, excepting that of the organization of the general [Federal] Government will be attended to before the Meeting of Congress under it." Hancock expresses hopes that the elections have selected "representatives of tried & known Abilities, who feel themselves sincerely attached to the Interest of their Country, as well to the principles upon which our glorious Revolution was effected," since "such Men will give the Commonwealth its full weight & proper share of Influence in the general Government." "There never was a time when the public Interest required more attention or greater Abilities than the present. The first impression of Laws under the Government of the United States will have a strong & lasting influence. Those parts of the Constitution which are now vague and indefinite will receive an interpretation from those Acts...." Stressing the importance of "the arrangements of the Judicial Department," he asks the voters to give "your Senators and Representatives particular instructions," since "the Ease and Security of the people," so much depends upon it. In a long passage dealing with the adoption of the proposed Bill of Rights, Hancock writes: "I submit to your Consideration whether you will instruct your Senators and Representatives to attend to the obtaining Amendments in the Constitution of the United States. You will recollect that when that System was ratified by the Convention of the Commonwealth it was done on the idea that Amendments should be finally effected. The poeple have well grounded Expectations that this important matter will be attended to; for my own part I wish the World to know that I was sincere in the part I took on this Subject. I had not, nor will I ever have any other than plain, open & undisguis'd politicks." Hancock feels "a new general Convention" to consider the Bill of Rights would be "a great Calamity," since "the form of Government [Constitution]" itself prescribes "an easy method to procure alterations as Congress may propose to the Legislature such Amendments as appear to be necessary..." An open Convention, he believes, "might amount to a dissolution of the Government," therefore he urges the Legislature to "give our Senators and Representatives such positive instructions on this Subject as may lead to the peace. security and Tranquility of the Union." He concludes by noting that Article 10 of the Bill of Rights specifies that "no State is to keep Troops in a time of Peace without the Consent of Congress; this leads me to believe that the Garrison on Castle Island [in Boston Harbor] must soon be reduced or license obtained from Congress...." In regard to granting a salary to the commander of the garrison, he further advises that, "his Salary ought