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Original Exhibition Caption: John Hancock was serving as President of the Continental Congress when he signed this April 23, 1776, document appointing colonial "agents for prizes" for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. American privateers who seized British ships or goods would report to these agents, who could certify that they were legitimate claims as spoils of war and take a portion for the government. The remainder went to the privateer and his crew. An April 22, 1776, broadside authorized American shipowners to make these types of seizures.