Hancock, John, as President of the Continental Congress

Document signed ("John Hancock Presidt"), 2 pages (12 5/8 x 8 in.; 320 x  203 mm), [Philadelphia], 19–21 November 1776, being a resolution for all states to store munitions in safe, convenient locations for use by Continental troops and militia, as well as a resolution for the recruitment of soldiers for the Continental Army in order to carry on the war, the latter signed by Hancock; evidence of mat burn on verso with Hancock signature (not affecting signature), some staining and discoloration, fold splits touching all lines of text in the 21 November resolution, the recto with the 19 November resolution silked. Folding case covered in a brown patterned paper, brown morocco spine with 5 diamond-shaped tan morocco labels.

Journals of the Continental Congress 6: 966, 970–971

Congress urgently calls for military ordnance and troops. Washington's army had most recently suffered a staggering defeat at the Battle of Long Island that resulted in the British occupation of New York City. Shortly after these resolutions were passed Congress would hear of the loss of Forts Washington (with 3,000 men under the command of General Greene) and Lee (with a great deal of matériel abandoned during the retreat to Hackensack). The resolution of 21 November, signed by Hancock, reads: "As the Necessity of obtaining an Army immediately to oppose the Designs of the Enemy is so evident & pressing as to render it proper to give all possible Facility to that Business —

"Resolved, that each State be at Liberty to direct their recruiting Officers to enlist their men either for the War, or three years, upon the respective Bounties offered by Congress ... " Original recruitments were for terms of one year, but Washington instinctively knew that it would take at least a full year to adequately train men to be soldiers.