Details
HANCOCK, JOHN, Signer (Massachusetts), President of the Continental Congress. Autograph manuscript signed with initials, a draft speech to the "Gentlemen of the Senate, & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives (of Massachusetts), "Council Chamber," Boston, 10 February 1783. One page, 4to, left-hand edge a bit ragged, affecting a few letters, verso docketed by Hancock "Message to the General Court..."
BOSTON PONDERS THE COSTS OF HOUSING THE FRENCH OFFICERS
"The several Resolves of the General Courts authorizing the Gentlemen Selectmen of the Town of Boston, to prepare Accommodations suitable to the Rank of the Officers of the French Army upon their Arrival in Boston, have with great [A]ttention & punctuality been attended...I have the Satisfaction to inform you that the General of the Army the Count de Viomenil [Vaumesnil] assur'd me, that he with the other General and Subordinate Officers were Accommodated in a manner very Agreeable...&...were perfectly Satisfied, & had a grateful Sense of the ready & polite Attention that was paid them. -- In consequence of this Transaction....considerable expenses have arisen, & agreeable to the Resolve of the General Court....I have drawn a Warrant...for [# 500]....There remains a Ballance [sic] of [# 400 9s. 6p.], and as the persons who are to Receive this Ball [ance] have applied many times...I beg leave to refer the Settlement of it to your Consideration...."
BOSTON PONDERS THE COSTS OF HOUSING THE FRENCH OFFICERS
"The several Resolves of the General Courts authorizing the Gentlemen Selectmen of the Town of Boston, to prepare Accommodations suitable to the Rank of the Officers of the French Army upon their Arrival in Boston, have with great [A]ttention & punctuality been attended...I have the Satisfaction to inform you that the General of the Army the Count de Viomenil [Vaumesnil] assur'd me, that he with the other General and Subordinate Officers were Accommodated in a manner very Agreeable...&...were perfectly Satisfied, & had a grateful Sense of the ready & polite Attention that was paid them. -- In consequence of this Transaction....considerable expenses have arisen, & agreeable to the Resolve of the General Court....I have drawn a Warrant...for [# 500]....There remains a Ballance [sic] of [# 400 9s. 6p.], and as the persons who are to Receive this Ball [ance] have applied many times...I beg leave to refer the Settlement of it to your Consideration...."