American statesman, revolutionary politician, member Continental Congress, President of Continental Congress 1775-77. First signer of Declaration of Independence, then Governor of Massachusetts.

DS, 1p., 8 1/2 x 14", Council Chamber in Boston, March 16, 1789. Unusual, important historically significant document, signed twice by John Hancock and countersigned by JOHN AVERY. In the first portion of the document the Governor of Massachusetts directs the selectmen of the Town of Pittsfield to assemble to vote for Representatives to represent the district of Hampshire and Berkshire in the Congress of the United States of America.

"Selectmen of the Town of Pittsfield in the District of Hampshire and Berkshire...in a manner as the law directs for a Town-Meeting, to cause the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Pittsfield duly qualified to vote for Representatives to the General Court of this Commonwealth, to assemble on Monday, the thirtieth of March next, to give their votes for a Representative, who shall be an inhabitant of the district of Hampshire and Berkshire to represent the said district in the Congress of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, to the Selectmen who shall preside at said Meeting, and you the said Selectmen or the major part of you, shall in open Town-Meeting, sort and count the votes, and form a list of persons voted for, with the number of votes for each person against his name, and shall make publick declaration thereof..."

The second portion of the document certifies the returns, names the representatives and is signed again by Hancock.

"These certify that the returns from the several towns within the district of Hampshire and Berkshire respecting the choice of a Representative, to represent the people thereof, in the Congress of the United States, have been examined agreeably to the resolution of the General Court, passed the twentieth of November 1788, by which it appears, that the honorable Theodore Sedgwick, Esquire, and Samuel Syman, Esq., have had the greatest number of votes in the returns from the said district, in which no person has been chosen. John Hancock..."

An interesting insight into the early procedures of selection of Representatives to Congress. Attractively framed, excellent. (#STP2110)