Hancock’s political career started in 1765 as a Boston Selectman during the dawn of the Stamp Act. He started out with a great advantage, being one of the richest men in Massachusetts and having plenty of influence, he inspired respect because of his wealth. Without doubt he benefited from his business position in order to further his political career and vice versa. The turning point in Hancock’s political career happened in 1768 when British costumes seized his sloop Liberty and charged him of smuggling, this event is known as the . From this point in time he started to sympathize with…
Author: staff writer
The following is the Boston Massacre Oration delivered by John Hancock on the 4th anniversary of the Boston Massacre on March 5th, 1774. His speech reveals a more radical view against British power which starts to appear before the revolution. Men, Brethren, Fathers, and Fellow-Countrymen: The attentive gravity; the venerable appearance of this crowded audience; the dignity which I behold in the countenances of so many in this great assembly; the solemnity of the occasion upon which we have met together, joined to a consideration of the part I am to take in the important business of this day,…
The Stamp Act John Hancock’s political career started in 1765 when he was elected as a Boston selectman becoming his first public post in a series that would last until the end of his life. This was a tumultuous year in the colony as the Stamp Act was passed and the crowds took it to the streets to protest. During this period Hancock became acquainted with Samuel Adams with whom he forged a friendship, though fifteen years older than him. Samuel Adams took Hancock as a protégé. They complemented each other, Hancock had the charm and power to influence people…
Boston Massacre Protests against the Townshend acts and intimidation tactics against tax collectors, government officials and merchants violating the boycott of British goods prompted Governor Francis Bernard to request troops in order to keep civil order in Boston. On October 1768 additional British troops started to arrive in Boston joining another regiment and adding up to a total of 4,000 soldiers, a large number considering the population of Boston was 20,000 at the time. The 14th and 29th regiments were to protect government officials, restore order, reinforce the collection of taxes and take action as needed. As member of the…
After the Boston Tea Party, Parliament responded with the Intolerable Acts, also known as Coercive Acts, effective March 31, 1774. The colonial response was organized by the creation of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, a convention of 56 delegates from 12 colonies chosen by their legislatures. The only colony that did not attend was Georgia but sent representatives to the Second Continental Congress on May 1775. It is believed that John Hancock did not initially attend Congress because he knew that British Parliament was attempting to assert its authority in the colony by altering its provincial charter. In fact,…
The life of John Hancock John Hancock was born on January 23, 1737 in Braintree, Massachusetts, present day City of Quincy. His father was Reverend John Hancock and his mother Mary Hawke Thaxter. His paternal grandfather was also a clergyman. When John was 7 years old his father died and his mother remarried years later. He was adopted by his paternal uncle, Thomas Hancock, and his wife, Lydia Henchman. The couple did not have children and treated John as their own child. Thomas Hancock was a successful businessman who owned the House of Hancock, a trading firm importing and exporting…
After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, John Hancock and other members headed to Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress. The Congress was the first national and autonomous government of the United States. On May, 1775 Hancock was unanimously elected the 4th President by the members of Congress. He presided Congress while the country was at war until 1777 when he resigned. Being a president was basically a ceremonial position without much power attached to it. His responsibilities included setting the agenda of Congress and serve as an impartial moderator during debates. As president of Congress he was the first…
This speech was given by John Hancock in the Massachusetts legislature urging the delegate to ratify the US Constitution after the Massachusetts Compromise was achieved. Initially not all the states supported the US Constitution. Notably Massachusetts was among the anti-federalist states that refused to sign before additional guarantees will be given to limit the power of government and ensure individual liberties. As a result the Bill of Rights was amended to the Constitution convincing Massachusetts and other states to sign. Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives It would have been very pleasing to me at…
The following is John Hancock’s speech to the Ratification Convention of Massachusetts on February 27, 1788. The Convention was to ratify the document that would become the Constitution of the United States replacing the Articles of Confederation. Delegates in Massachusetts were divided and most had concerns. After his speech Hancock managed to influence a sufficient amount of delegates to vote for a constitution. Gentlemen of the Senate & Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— The Letters which I have received in the recess, the Secretary will lay before you, they are not of such importance, as to claim any particular…
Hancock’s signature in the Declaration of Independence John Hancock’s historic autograph on the Declaration of Independence is so well known that it is often used as a noun synonymous to “signature”. What can it tell us about the owner? Among other things it reveals his status in society of that time. In the eighteenth century much importance was given to elegant scripts and sophisticated handwriting. It was said that “a good hand was the sign of a good man”. Not surprisingly the National Handwriting Day is celebrated on January 23rd which is also John Hancock’s birthday. Symbolically the most famous…