July 4, 1776 John Hancock cover

Letter written July 2 by William Bant and addressed to John Hancock who was a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia

Text of the letter:

Fairfield July 2, 1776

Dear sir,

I wrote to you from Horseneck, where I was detained a day and a half, and at last was obliged to buy another horse. I informed you that I had the horse Harry bought for me taken from me at Rye, and indorsed to you the proceedings of the justice, you will doubtless observe sir that the authority is in the name of His Majesty. I was in the Town of Rye, and had I refused to take the justice under that sanction I might go without it, but the horse I should not have. I have now enclosed my deposition that the horse taken from me is the same that Harry purchased for me in Philadelphia. I beg you to excuse the trouble I give you sir in desiring you to give the deposition to M Wintton or to W Banell, which of them is kind enough to look into this matter for me. I shall make all possible despatch for Boston and shall immediately attend to your commands.

William Bant, Esq.