(AMERICAN REVOLUTION) HANCOCK JOHN Autograph Letter an unsig

Sale 2043 - Lot 8

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Estimate: $ 5,000 - $ 7,500

ONE SIGNER TO ANOTHER (AMERICAN REVOLUTION.) HANCOCK, JOHN. Autograph Letter, an unsigned retained draft, to Robert Morris, concerning Colonel Richard Gridley's pension, arguing that by leaving the British Army and joining the American cause he had sacrificed his half-pay pension and should be reimbursed. 1 page, single small 4to sheet. Boston, 7 May 1783

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" . . . The inclosures will inform you of the Agreement made with Colonel Gridley at an early Period of the Contest, and of all the Transactions upon that subject . . . The sacrifice Col. Gridley made in the loss of his half pay by entering into the Service of the United States merits the Attention of the subject and I am persuaded you will do all in your power that the Old Gentleman may Receive an Adequate compensation . . ."
Gridley's pension claim was one of several faced by the Continental Congress and Robert Morris, who served as Superintendent of Finance, in the Spring of 1783. Gridley, a noted American-born British officer who had served with distinction in the French & Indian Wars, received his commission in 1775 as a Colonel of Artillery and Major General of provincial troops. His first task was to construct the breastworks on Bunker Hill and was wounded in the ensuing battle. He later served as Chief Engineer of the Continental Army and helped build the fortifications around Dorchester. See the 6 March 1783 entry in the Journals of the Continental Congress for a detailed review of his pension claim referred to in this letter.