Letter of John Hancock

John Hancock. Letter, Signed, to Governor Nicholas Cooke of Rhode Island. Philadlphia, July 6, 1776.

Lilly Library U.S. History mss., 1612-1977, LMC 2029

Once written, agreed upon and printed, the Declaration of Independence needed to be disseminated throughout the American Colonies. In this letter, John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, advises Governor Cooke of the decision to "dissolve all Connection between Great Britain and the American Colonies" and requests that the Governor make public within the colony of Rhode Island the enclosed "Declaration." Hancock also asks Cooke to engage ship carpenters for the construction of vessels required for the defense of the new American States.