Story and Anecdotes - Hancock the Patriot

     During the siege of Boston, General Washington consulted Congress upon the propriety of bombarding the town of Boston.  Mr. Hancock, a distinguished merchant, was the President of Congress. After General Washington’s letter was read, a solemn silence ensued. This was broken by a member making a motion that the House should resolve itself into a committee of the whole, in order that Mr. Hancock might give his opinion upon the important subject, as he was deeply interested, from having all his estate in Boston, which estate was very large and valuable.

     After Mr. Hancock had left the chair, he addressed the chairman of the committee of the whole in the following words: “It is true, sir; nearly all the property I have in the world is in houses and other real estate in the town of Boston; but if the expulsion of the British army from it, and the liberties of the country, require being burnt to ashes---issue the order for the purpose immediately.”