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Revolutionary War-dated partly-printed DS, one page, 13 x 8, February 2, 1778 (Philadelphia). Letter of marque issued by the Continental Congress to “Matthew Ritch, Mariner,” commissioning him commander of the schooner Liberty for privateering operations against British vessels. Signed at the conclusion in ink by John Hancock as president of the Continental Congress. The document reads, in part: "The Delegates of the United States…have granted, and by these Presents do grant Licence and Authority to Matthew Ritch – Mariner, Commander of the Schooner called The Liberty of the Burthen of forty five Tons, or thereabouts, belonging to the United States of America mounting Four Carriage Guns, and navigated by Eight Men, to fit out and set forth the said Schooner in a warlike Manner, and by and with the said Schooner and the Crew thereof, by Force of Arms, to attack, seize, and take the Ships and other Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of Great-Britain, or any of them, with their Tackle, Apparel, Furniture and Ladings, on the High Seas.” Archivally mounted and framed to an overall size of 20.5 x 15.5. In fine condition.
Notably, the document preserves several period manuscript revisions reflecting the changing language of the American Revolution. The printed word “Colonies” is struck through and replaced with “States” in multiple places, and the phrase “Colony of” is similarly crossed out. Although independence had been declared in 1776 and the name “United States of America” adopted in 1777, many official printed forms still used outdated colonial terminology in early 1778. These handwritten corrections, made before the document left Philadelphia, provide a striking record of the new nation redefining itself in real time.
Congress authorized privateering during the Revolutionary War in recognition that the Continental Navy alone could not effectively challenge British maritime supply lines. Individual vessels were licensed by letters of marque, commissions of the form Hancock signs here, to attack and seize British merchant ships and bring their prizes before admiralty courts established in the states. Privateering became a major component of the American war effort at sea, disrupting British commerce and forcing the diversion of naval resources to convoy protection. The schooner Liberty, at forty-five tons and four carriage guns, was a modest participant in that campaign, but her commission reflects the standard instrument through which Congress prosecuted economic warfare against the Crown.
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