JOHN HANCOCK. John Hancock, whose beautifully engraved portrait ornaments the present number, was born at Quincy, near Boston, from whence have emanated the two Presidents Adams. He was the son and grandson of eminent clergymen, but having early lost his father, was indebted for a liberal education to his uncle, a merchant of great wealth, whose counting-house he afterwards entered, but soon sailed for England, where he was present at the coronation of George III. His uncle dying in 1774, he succeeded to his large fortune and business. He was active as a member of the provincial legislature against the royal governor, and became so obnoxious to him, that after the battle of Lexington, he and Samuel Adams were excepted by name in a proclamation offering pardon to the rebels who should swear fealty to Britain. They escaped from one door of a house as the British soldiers entered it at another, and thus their valuable persons were preserved to aid the good cause of the Revolution.

Hancock was President of the provincial congress of Massachussetts, until sent a delegate to the General Congress at Philadelphia in 1775, where he was soon chosen to succeed Peyton Randolph as President of that august Assembly. He was the first to affix his signature to the Declaration of Independence, which was first published with no other name attached. He filled this important chair till 1779, when gout compelled him to retire from Congress. He was then elected Governor of Massachusetts, and was annually chosen from 1780 to 1785, and after an interval of two years was re-elected and continued to fill the office until his death, Oct. 8, 1793, at the age of 56 years. He acted also as President of the Convention of the State for the adoption of the Federal Constitution, for which he voted.

His talents were rather useful than brilliant. He seldom spoke, but his knowledge of business, and facility in despatching it, together with his 13

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keen insight into the characters of men, rendered him peculiarly fit for public life. Being well acquainted with parliamentary forms, he inspired respect by his attention, impartiality and dignity. In private life he was remarkable for his hospitality and beneficence. He was a complete gentleman of the old school, both in appearance and manners, and was a magnificent liver, lavishly bountiful, keeping a coach and six horses, and distinguished for his politeness and affability.

When Washington consulted the legislature of Massachusetts upon the propriety of bombarding Boston, Hancock advised its being done immediately, if it would benefit the cause, although nearly his whole property consisted in houses and other real estate in that town. Carroll of Carrollton and Hancock, probably risked more property on the event of the struggle than any other two individuals. The estate at Quincy, which was his inheritance, is now the property of our distinguished countryman, the late President John Quincy Adams.

The first provocation of the British Government which created a spirit of civil discord among her provinces, was the imposition of duties upon the importation of foreign merchandise, and other injuries impairing the prosperity of the colonial commerce. Upon which occasion, all the address and diligence of Mr. Hancock, in opposition to a system of legislation so rapacious and tyrannical, were exerted. It was by his agency, and that of a few other citizens of Boston, that for the purpose of procuring a revocation of these duties, associations were instituted to prohibit the importation of British goods; a policy which soon afterwards being imitated by the other colonies, first served to awaken the apprehensions of the people, and to kindle those passions that were essential to the success of the war and the preservation of their liberties. The agitation of this subject produced no common animosity, and in some instances acts of atrocity and outrage, of which we may mention as among