Mr. Hancock

John Hancock, nine term Governor of Massachusetts, president of the Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He did so with large, readable letters but unfortunately there is no evidence that he actually said, "The British ministry can read that name without spectacles." It makes a great legend though, and is not out of character.

We know John Hancock today mainly by his bold signature. We even say that to sign our name means to “write our John Hancock.” We sometimes forget that it took great courage for Mr. Hancock to do what he did. The British authorities already regarded him as a troublemaker, and this Declaration would make him a full-fledged traitor in their eyes.

Hancock gave a public address after the Boston Massacre in which he stated, “the troops of George the third have crossed the Atlantic, not to engage an enemy, but to assist a band of traitors in trampling on the rights and liberties of his most loyal subjects; those rights and liberties, which, as a father, he ought ever to regard, and as a king, he is bound in honour to defend from violation, even at the risk of his own life.”

Hancock willingly put his life at risk, as well as his property, since he was one of the richest men in the colonies at the time. In word and deed, he was bold and resolute. We can and must do likewise.

“The republic was not established by cowards, and cowards will not preserve it.” --Elmer Davis