June 10, 1776

On Friday, June 7—the day Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee presented the resolutions which led to the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Model Treaty—John Hancock received a present. Three ships “laden with rum, sugar, molasses, &c.” which had been bound from Jamaica to London were brought into the port of Philadelphia by privateers. On one of the ships, “there were several very fine sea turtle, intended as a present to Lord North,” the Prime Minister. One of these turtles even had North’s name “nicely cut in the shell.” Instead, that turtle was presented to “the worthy President of the American Congress,” Hancock.

Dunlap’s Pennsylvania Packet or, the General Advertiser
Printed by John Dunlap

Two privateers belonging to this port have taken three very valuable ships bound from Jamaica to London, laden with rum, sugar, molasses, &c. having also a large quantity of dollars and plate on board.

We hear that on board of the above ships, there were several very fine sea turtle, intended as a present to Lord North; one of which, with his Lordship’s name nicely cut in the shell, was on Friday presented by the Captain to the worthy President of the American Congress.