John Hancock's signature is affixed to this commissioning document for Abraham Whipple, which made him the captain of the Providence in the Continental Navy.

The document reads, "The Delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to Abraham Whipple, Esquire. We, reposing Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, Do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of the armed Ship called the Providence in the Service of the United States of North-America, fitted out for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Captain by doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers, Marines and Seamen under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Captain. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall recieve from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chiefe for the Time being of the Navy of the United States, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, the Usage of the Sea, and the Instructions herewith given you, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress. Dated at Philadelphia, October 10th, 1776."