Manuscript document, in ink, 49 lines on 2 pages of a 4-page folio. Signed by John Hancock as governor of Massachusetts, John Avery as secretary, with paper seal affixed at upper left corner above Hancock's signature. 14½x9.

Boldly signed document relating to the land speculation of Samuel Ogden, an iron founder and promoter who obtained the "right of pre-emption" to large tracts of land in upper New York State, portions of which were then ceded to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Although Ogden owned the rights to the land, much was still occupied by Indians, and in an evident attempt to protect their rights, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts appointed William Shepard as "Superintendant in behalf of this Commonwealth of a purchase from the native Indians which shall be undertaken or made by the said Saml. Ogden..."