FORM N-18F-1 
 
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
 
                               Washington, D.C. 20549 
 
 
 
 
             NOTIFICATION OF ELECTION PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-1 UNDER THE  
                           INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 
 
 
 
                           JOHN HANCOCK DECLARATION TRUST 
                             (Exact Name of Registrant)


                              NOTIFICATION OF ELECTION 
 
 
              The undersigned registered open-end investment company hereby 
         notifies the Securities and Exchange Commission that it elects on 
         behalf of each series of the Registrant now existing or hereafter 
         created to commit itself to pay in cash all redemptions by a 
         shareholder of record as provided by Rule 18f-1 under the 
         Investment Company Act of 1940.  It is understood that this 
         election is irrevocable while such Rule is in effect unless the 
         Commission by order upon application permits the withdrawal of 
         this Notification of Election. 
 
 
                                      SIGNATURE 
 
              Pursuant to the requirements of Rule 18f-1 under the 
         Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has caused this 
         Notification of Election to be duly executed on its behalf in the 
         City of Boston and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 20th 
         day of November, 1995. 
 
 
 
                                       JOHN HANCOCK DECLARATION TRUST 
 
 
                                       By: /s/ Anne C. Hodsdon
                                           Anne C. Hodsdon, 
                                           President 
 
 
 
         Attest: /s/ Thomas H. Drohan  
                 Thomas H. Drohan 
                 Secretary