It is a well-known fact that John Hancock, Marchants Lodge 277 (Quebec) and St. Andrew's Lodge of Boston, was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence and wrote his name on that document in large bold letters, "So that George III may read it without putting on his glasses." Less well-known are Hancock's other accomplishments including the fact that in 1789, he was a candidate for President of the US! In that era, political aspirations were considered demeaning, so Hancock did not campaign. He also knew General Washington would win easily and, if anything, Brother Hancock may have aspired to the Vice-Presidency. In the end, Hancock received only four electoral votes (in a system where each elector cast two votes). If by some quirk he had become president, other things being equal, he would have died in office on October 8, 1793.Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Candidate
It is a well-known fact that John Hancock, Marchants Lodge 277 (Quebec) and St. Andrew's Lodge of Boston, was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence and wrote his name on that document in large bold letters, "So that George III may read it without putting on his glasses." Less well-known are Hancock's other accomplishments including the fact that in 1789, he was a candidate for President of the US! In that era, political aspirations were considered demeaning, so Hancock did not campaign. He also knew General Washington would win easily and, if anything, Brother Hancock may have aspired to the Vice-Presidency. In the end, Hancock received only four electoral votes (in a system where each elector cast two votes). If by some quirk he had become president, other things being equal, he would have died in office on October 8, 1793.