Sold For $52,500
*Includes Buyers Premium
Revolutionary War–dated manuscript DS, signed “John Hancock Presid't,” one page, 8 x 10.75, December 30, 1776. Manuscript resolution of the Continental Congress, penned in the hand of Secretary Charles Thomson and signed at the conclusion by John Hancock, appealing to Spain to join the war against Great Britain in the American Revolution. In part: "Resolved. That the commissioners for the courts of France and Spain consult together and prepare a Treaty of Commerce and Alliance, as near as may be, similar to the first proposed to the court of France…that if his Catholic Majesty will join with the United States in a war against Great Britain, they will assist in reducing to the possession of Spain the town and harbour of Pensacola, provided…the United States shall have free and uninterrupted navigation of the Mississippi and the use of the harbour of Pensacola." In poor condition, with heavy overall staining and areas of loss to the fragile paper, both of which render some of the text difficult to read; Hancock's signature is remarkably unaffected.
During the American Revolution, Spain played a crucial yet often overlooked role in supporting the American cause against Britain. Although Spain did not formally ally with the American colonies, it declared war on Britain in 1779 as part of the broader conflict of the Anglo-Spanish War. Under the leadership of Bernardo de Gálvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana, Spain provided significant military and financial aid, including arms, supplies, and troops. Spanish forces achieved key victories against the British along the Gulf Coast, notably in battles at Baton Rouge, Mobile, and Pensacola, weakening British influence in the South. In 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, Spain officially recognized the independence of the United States.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$250.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
