Unsigned ALS (Hancock’s retained copy), one page, 7.75 x 12, March 27, 1783. Letter to Captain William Gordon, Commander of the military garrison at Dartmouth, ordering him not to let either the occupants or the contents of a ship in port be landed. In full, “I have this moment Rec’d your letter by Express, giving information of the Arrival of a Flag with a Number of Persons on board, who were desirous of Remaining some time at Darmouth [sic], I have laid the State of this Flag before the Council, & in Consequence of their advice you are hereby Directed upon no pretence whatever, to suffer any of the persons, or any of the Effects Brought in the Flag to be Landed at Dartmouth, or any other place in the Commonwealth, but that you give immediate Directions for the Departure of the Flag with the Persons & their Effects to New York, and that after the Receipt of this Letter you make a point of Embracing the first fair wind to put her under Sail for New York, as no Circumstances can possibly induce me to deviate from this order.” In very good condition, with tape reinforcements to horizontal folds on reverse, several small areas of ink erosion in text, scattered toning and soiling and some light creasing. Letter was originally part of The Hancock-Chase Collection, formerly housed at the Museum of American History. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
