Description:

JOHN HANCOCK
(1737 - 1793) American Revolutionary politician and first signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continantal Congress and two-time Governor of Massachusetts. Fine content partly-printed D.S. as Governor, 1p. 4to., Boston, Jan. 30, 1792, in which Hancock approves a payment to William Goodenow for "...the bounty on 2£.3s.26d of Hemp raised...& Certified agreeable to Law - to be paid as directed by resolve of 11th of March last...". Countersigned by Secretary JOHN AVERY. Along with the original A.D.S. of the merchant Goodenow, requesting payment for the weed, which had been raised in 1790. While Hancock's purchase of hemp was then considered "agreeable to Law" and, of course, utilized for producing rope, paper, and other quotidian goods, a "bounty" would now land the purchaser a long stint in the slammer. However, in an unlikely nod to Hancock's time, Massachusetts law recently enacted an initiative to decriminalize small amounts cannabis, making getting caught with less than an ounce of pot punishable by a civil fine of just $100! Fold tears reinforced with archival tape on verso, otherwise very good condition.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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