May 12, 2005 - Sale 2043

Sale 2043 - Lot 7

Price Realized: $ 11,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 10,000 - $ 15,000
ORDERING A CAPTAIN TO "TAKE, SINK OR DESTROY" ENEMY SHIPS (AMERICAN REVOLUTION.) HANCOCK, JOHN. Autograph Letter Signed, with initials, a retained draft of a letter to Captain George Little, giving him his orders to command the armed Sloop Winthrop -- the last ship of the Massachusetts's Navy -- on a "cruise for the protection of the sea coast against the Enemies of these United States, whose vessels if not superior to you in force you will use your best endeavors to take, sink or destroy." 2 pages, folded tall 4to sheet with integral blank; a bit toned, separations at folds closed on verso. Boston, 8 July 1782
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scarce war-date naval orders for a ship of the massachusetts's navy.