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Domestic News
June 12, 1787
The New York Packet
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
On June 2 in Boston, John Hancock accepted election as Governor of Massachusetts and delivered a speech pledging to uphold the constitution, relieve public burdens, and ensure justice. Thomas Cushing accepted as Lieutenant-Governor, committing to faithful service. Both were sworn in by the Senate President before the legislature.
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UNITED STATES.
BOSTON, June 2.
Yesterday afternoon at five o'clock, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor elect having been previously notified of their respective elections, came into the Representatives' Chamber, where the two branches of the General Court were convened, when his Excellency the Governor was pleased to address them as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.
A Very respectable committee, by you appointed, have notified me that the citizens of this Commonwealth have elected me Governor for the year ensuing.
To promote the happiness of my native country, hath always been the great object of my pursuit, and to merit the approbation of my fellow citizens, was ever my highest ambition--defective as I may have been in the pursuit of the first, I should feel myself ungrateful to a high degree, did I not, upon the present occasion, acknowledge the kind partiality of my countrymen in granting me so great a share of the second.
When from a want of health, I retired from the place of Chief Magistrate of this Commonwealth, I did not expect to be again called to the important trust, but since my fellow citizens have, without any solicitations of mine, seen fit in the present day to call upon me for my exertions, I cannot abuse that partiality which they have so often manifested towards me, by declining the office.
The suffrages of free people, would in common times render an apology for my appearing in this place, quite unnecessary, but in the present situation of public affairs, it becomes necessary for me to declare, that I am so far from accepting the office from a dependence upon my own ability, to restore the Government to its needed tranquillity, that it is, Gentlemen, on your wisdom and prudence alone, I rely, for those measures, which may lead us to public safety; from you the people will look for those laws and ordinances which will secure the blessings intended for them by the happy constitution of government they have established. Of me they have a right to expect that I shall exert the powers vested in me for their benefit and advantage, and it shall be my highest ambition not to disappoint them.
To preserve, gentlemen, sacredly and inviolate, our excellent Constitution of Government; to relieve as much as possible the burdens of the people, and to maintain a strict adherence to private and public justice, shall be the great objects of my administration, and in the pursuit of them, I doubt not of your assistance and support, as well as those of all good men.
Having declared, gentlemen, my acceptance of the office to which I am elected, I am now ready to comply with the qualifying requisitions of the Constitution.
JOHN HANCOCK.
His Honor the Lieutenant Governor then addressed the Legislature as follows--
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.
I HAVE been informed by a very respectable committee of both Houses, that you have been pleased to elect me to the office of Lieutenant-Governor for the year ensuing. I have a due sense of the honor you have conferred upon me in this appointment. I consider it as a mark of your esteem and confidence. It has been my constant aim, while I have the honor of being employed in the public service, to consult and to the utmost of my abilities to promote the best interest of the people, and it has afforded me the highest satisfaction, that my conduct has generally met their approbation. I am obliged to you for the polite manner in which you have acquainted me with this appointment--I now declare my acceptance of it, and you may rest assured, I shall endeavour to discharge the duties of this office with faithfulness and impartiality, and am ready to take the oaths and subscribe the declarations required by the Constitution.
THOMAS CUSHING.
After which the Hon. President of the Senate, in conformity to the Constitution, administered to the Governor, and Lieut. Governor, the oaths therein required, which with the declarations being subscribed by them in presence of the Legislature, the Secretary, by direction of the Hon. President of the Senate, declared His Excellency JOHN HANCOCK, Esq. to be Governor, and his Hon. THOMAS CUSHING, Esq. Lieutenant-Governor of this Commonwealth, for the year ensuing.
BOSTON, June 2.
Yesterday afternoon at five o'clock, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor elect having been previously notified of their respective elections, came into the Representatives' Chamber, where the two branches of the General Court were convened, when his Excellency the Governor was pleased to address them as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.
A Very respectable committee, by you appointed, have notified me that the citizens of this Commonwealth have elected me Governor for the year ensuing.
To promote the happiness of my native country, hath always been the great object of my pursuit, and to merit the approbation of my fellow citizens, was ever my highest ambition--defective as I may have been in the pursuit of the first, I should feel myself ungrateful to a high degree, did I not, upon the present occasion, acknowledge the kind partiality of my countrymen in granting me so great a share of the second.
When from a want of health, I retired from the place of Chief Magistrate of this Commonwealth, I did not expect to be again called to the important trust, but since my fellow citizens have, without any solicitations of mine, seen fit in the present day to call upon me for my exertions, I cannot abuse that partiality which they have so often manifested towards me, by declining the office.
The suffrages of free people, would in common times render an apology for my appearing in this place, quite unnecessary, but in the present situation of public affairs, it becomes necessary for me to declare, that I am so far from accepting the office from a dependence upon my own ability, to restore the Government to its needed tranquillity, that it is, Gentlemen, on your wisdom and prudence alone, I rely, for those measures, which may lead us to public safety; from you the people will look for those laws and ordinances which will secure the blessings intended for them by the happy constitution of government they have established. Of me they have a right to expect that I shall exert the powers vested in me for their benefit and advantage, and it shall be my highest ambition not to disappoint them.
To preserve, gentlemen, sacredly and inviolate, our excellent Constitution of Government; to relieve as much as possible the burdens of the people, and to maintain a strict adherence to private and public justice, shall be the great objects of my administration, and in the pursuit of them, I doubt not of your assistance and support, as well as those of all good men.
Having declared, gentlemen, my acceptance of the office to which I am elected, I am now ready to comply with the qualifying requisitions of the Constitution.
JOHN HANCOCK.
His Honor the Lieutenant Governor then addressed the Legislature as follows--
Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.
I HAVE been informed by a very respectable committee of both Houses, that you have been pleased to elect me to the office of Lieutenant-Governor for the year ensuing. I have a due sense of the honor you have conferred upon me in this appointment. I consider it as a mark of your esteem and confidence. It has been my constant aim, while I have the honor of being employed in the public service, to consult and to the utmost of my abilities to promote the best interest of the people, and it has afforded me the highest satisfaction, that my conduct has generally met their approbation. I am obliged to you for the polite manner in which you have acquainted me with this appointment--I now declare my acceptance of it, and you may rest assured, I shall endeavour to discharge the duties of this office with faithfulness and impartiality, and am ready to take the oaths and subscribe the declarations required by the Constitution.
THOMAS CUSHING.
After which the Hon. President of the Senate, in conformity to the Constitution, administered to the Governor, and Lieut. Governor, the oaths therein required, which with the declarations being subscribed by them in presence of the Legislature, the Secretary, by direction of the Hon. President of the Senate, declared His Excellency JOHN HANCOCK, Esq. to be Governor, and his Hon. THOMAS CUSHING, Esq. Lieutenant-Governor of this Commonwealth, for the year ensuing.
What sub-type of article is it?
Appointment
Politics
What keywords are associated?
John Hancock
Thomas Cushing
Governor Election
Lieutenant Governor
Swearing In
Massachusetts Legislature
Constitution Oaths
What entities or persons were involved?
John Hancock
Thomas Cushing
Where did it happen?
Boston
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Boston
Event Date
June 2
Key Persons
John Hancock
Thomas Cushing
Outcome
john hancock and thomas cushing were sworn in as governor and lieutenant-governor of massachusetts for the year ensuing.
Event Details
On the afternoon of June 2, John Hancock and Thomas Cushing, notified of their elections, entered the Representatives' Chamber where the General Court was convened. Hancock delivered an acceptance speech acknowledging his election, expressing reliance on the legislature's wisdom, and pledging to preserve the constitution, relieve burdens, and maintain justice. Cushing similarly accepted his position, committing to faithful service. The Senate President administered the required oaths and declarations, after which they were officially declared in their offices.