Lot 627

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Description:

JOHN HANCOCK
(1737-1793) American Revolutionary politician and first signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress and two-time Governor of Massachusetts. Historic 1776 D.S. "John Hancock" as President of the Continental Congress, 1p. 15 1/8" x 9 7/8", Philadelphia, Aug. 20, 1776, an historic naval appointment of the captain who would command the first American naval ship to engage the enemy! The commission reads, in part: "Joseph Olney Esquire We reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of the Armed Brig called the Cabbot in the service of the Thirteen United Colonies of North-America, fitted out for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof...". Co-signed by CHARLES THOMSON (1729-1824) as Secretary of the Continental Congress. Multiple folds with some splits thereat, some bearing slight paper loss particularly at fold junctions yet not affecting signatures nor seriously detracting from this important document. JOSEPH OLNEY (1737-1814) was born at Providence, Rhode Island, July 14, 1737 and died at Hudson, New York, in 1814. He belonged to a family long identified with Providence, several of whom held important commissions during the Revolutionary War. Captain Olney had been a seafaring man prior to the outbreak of the Revolution, and in 1775 was commissioned by the Continental Congress second lieutenant in the infant navy. On April 6, 1776 the Cabot had engaged the HMS Glasgow off Block Island, New York. While negotiations were underway, a Marine high in the rigging of the Cabot dropped a grenade at the feet of a British officer, thus making the Cabot the first American vessel to militarily engage the enemy. The Glasgow responded with a broadside, wounding Esek Hopkins and killing his son John, the Cabot's master. In all likelihood, Olney was aboard the vessel at the time. In August, Olney (here) is appointed the brig's master. Under his command, the vessel seized six prizes off New England until it encountered the HMS Milford in late March, 1777. The vastly more powerful British ship chased the Cabot and forced her ashore in Nova Scotia where the Cabot was captured. Olney was later given command of the "Queen of France", a frigate purchased in France by Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane. On Apr. 6, 1779 Olney took eight prizes off Virginia and returned to Boston a hero. He later was one of the committee appointed by Congress to select uniforms for the officers and men of the American navy in March, 1777.

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September 11, 2013 11:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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