COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. THESE ARE IN THE NAME OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WILL AND REQUIRE YOU, FORTHWITH, IN MANNER AS THE LAW DIRECTS FOR CALLING TOWN-MEETINGS, TO CAUSE THE FREEHOLDERS AND OTHER INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF SHERBURNE DULY QUALIFIED TO VOTE FOR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT OF THIS COMMONWEALTH, TO ASSEMBLE ON THURSDAY, THE TWENTY-NINTH DAY OF JANUARY CURRENT, TO GIVE THEIR VOTES FOR A REPRESENTATIVE, WHO SHALL BE AN INHABITANT OF THE DISTRICT OF MIDDLESEX TO REPRESENT THE SAID DISTRICT IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. .

[Boston: Adams & Nourse, 1789. Printed folio broadside, 9-1/4" x 12-5/8," the word "Sherburne" in manuscript. With the Seal of the Commonwealth. Signed in type by Governor Hancock ["John Hancock"], and in manuscript by John Avery Junior, Secretary and dated January 6, 1789. A Very Good, very scarce example of the Massachusetts procedures for electing representatives to the First Congress.

Beneath Hancock's and Avery's signatures is a printed certification to the Selectmen of Sherburne in the District of Middlesex, completed in manuscript, "that the returns from the several towns within the district of Middlesex. . . have been examined agreeably to the resolution of the General Court, passed the twentieth of November 1788, by which it appears, that The Hon. Nathaniel Gorham & Elbridge Gerry Esqr. have had the greatest number of votes in the returns from the said district, in which no person has been chosen. Signed in type by Hancock, and in manuscript by Avery."
AAS's copy is directed in manuscript to the Town of Dudley, with corresponding manuscript additions.
Bristol B6986. Shipton & Mooney 45514. Ford 2547. ESTC W17457. OCLC records only facsimiles as of December 2023.