Hooper, William, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina

Autograph letter signed with initials ("WH"), 2 pages (12 3/4 x 8 1/8 in.; 323 x 205 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked pro patria), Philadelphia, 6 November [1776], to Joseph Hewes and Samuel Johnston (at Halifax, North Carolina), autograph address ("By favour of Capt Maclaine") and reception docket on verso of second leaf; verso of first leaf and recto of second overlaid with a light tissue paper, small seal tear and repair,

John Gilliam Wood, Hayes Plantation, Edenton, North Carolina (Christie's, 22 April 1983, lot 59)

Letters of Delegates to Congress, ed. Smith, 5:442–43

Hooper reports from Philadelphia to his two most trusted North Carolina colleagues. "My dear friends, for this is addressed both to you and Mr Johnston, I thank you for your kind favours by Mr. Bondfield, who this moment called me out of Congress, and as Capt Maclaine is unexpectedly delayed, it gives me an opportunity to acknowledge the obligations I am under to you, for your friendly attention. Mr Maclaine has two large packages inclosing letters for you both, as well as many of my other friends whom I imagine he will find at the Convention. There you will find the causes of my detention here and other Circumstances which I think it unnecessary to repeat."

Despite his staunch support of the American Revolution, Hooper always remained wary of what he considered radical democracy. It is not surprising, therefore, that he here criticizes the just-adopted Pennsylvania constitution, which extended voting rights to all tax-paying freemen, whether or not they were property owners. He is particularly dismissive of Timothy Malack and James Cannon, two of the principal authors of the commonwealth's new constitution. "The Constitution of Pennsylvania, so far as it affects the City and County of Philadelphia, expired yesterday in the State house yard. Dickinson, Rob Morris, Christian Saml Morris, Clymer, Shubler [Shubert], Parker were elected and now ride triumphant upon the ruins of the Constitution (which Mr. Johnston thinks I condemn too freely) and upon the Characters of Matlack & Cannon who are now consigned to insignificance as they merit."

Hooper relates recent American success on the high seas, as well as at Ticonderoga. "Two fine frigates are afloat from Rhode Island. 32 prizes lately carried in there—a few days ago into Salem a Turkey Ship taken in the British Channel, the Invoice of her Cargoe amounts in first Cost to 36,000 Sterling. All well at Ticonderoga the 27th of October. [British General Guy] Carleton at Crown Point. [General Philip] Schuyler in a letter this moment says that we are well supplied with provisions and there is some doubt whether Carleton will come further on. We are formidable at Tyonderoga."

Hurrying to finish—he writes, "I must conclude. I am called to my duty in Congress"—Hooper closes with a series of quick bulletins and postscripts: "This moment arrived 12 Waldeckers & 8 British prisoners sent hither by Genl Washington"; "Mr R Morris wrote Mr Hewes two letters by post which will explain the nature of the Capture of the Tobacco Vessels"; "No change lately as to Genl Washington." Waldeckers were German mercenaries employed by the British; the two letters by Robert Morris to Joseph Hewes have not been found; George Washington was at this time in White Plains, trying to hold the Continental Army together as he slowly retreated in the face of Howe's advance. Hooper sent a letter to the whole of the North Carolina Convention on the same day as the present, relating most of the same information, but without his commentary on the Pennsylvania constitution.