JOHN HANCOCK EQUITY TRUST
                              101 Huntington Avenue
                                Boston, MA 02199



John Hancock Funds, LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA  02199

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Pursuant to Section 14 of the Distribution Agreement dated as of August
1, 1991 between John Hancock Special Equities Fund now known as John Hancock
Equity Trust (the "Trust") and John Hancock Broker Distribution Services, Inc.,
now known as John Hancock Funds, LLC, please be advised that the Trust has
established a new series of its shares, namely, John Hancock Small Cap Fund (the
"Fund"), and please be further advised that the Trust desires to retain John
Hancock Funds, LLC to serve as distributor and principal underwriter under the
Distribution Agreement for the Fund.

         Please indicate your acceptance of this responsibility by signing this
letter as indicated below.



JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC             JOHN HANCOCK EQUITY TRUST on behalf of
                                    John Hancock Small Cap Fund



By:/s/James A. Shepherdson          By:            /s/Susan S. Newton
  ------------------------                         ------------------
         James A. Shepherdson                      Susan S. Newton
President and Chief Executive Officer     Senior Vice President and Secretary


Dated:  December 3, 2004


S:\Corporate  Secretary\FUNDS\Equity Trust\Small Cap Fund\Small Cap Distribution
Agt Amendment.doc