HENRY LAURENS AUTHORIZES PAYMENT OF $400 FOR SENDING CONTINENTIAL CONGRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATES BY EXPRESS MESSENGER
LAURENS, HENRY. (1724-1792). American Founding Father, merchant, statesman, and diplomat; delegate to the Second Continental Congress, where Laurens succeeded John Hancock as its President; he was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and as President, presided over its passage. Exceedingly scarce Autograph Document Signed, in the text, “Recd 16 April 1779 of Henry Laurens”, and signed by ‘John Davis and witnessed by James Custer”. One page, oblong octavo. April 16, 1779. [Philadelphia]. Laurens pens:
“Recd 16 April 1779 of Henry Laurens four hundred Dollars for expenses returning on any present Express Message to the State of South Carolina for which I sign duplicates acknowledgements.
Witnesss
James Custeon John Davis
[And on the verso, is penned:]
‘John Davis’ Receipt for 400 Dollars –16th April, 1779”
This type of correspondence relating directly to the functioning of the Continental Congress are exceedingly difficult to obtain. This example is just ‘spot on’ in its combination of content and scarcity of Laurens autograph in connection with the Congress.
$4200.00
Henry Laurens (1724-1792) was a North Carolina planter who became a political leader during the Revolutionary War. He served as Vice President of South Carolina (1776-1777). On January 10, 1777 he was named a delegate to the Continental Congress, which he served in until 1780. In the fall of 1799 the Congress named him minister to Holland, he took the post and successfully negotiated Dutch support for the war. On his return voyage the British Navy intercepted his ship and discovered the draft of a possible treaty between the United States and Holland. Laurens was subsequently charged with treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Finally, on December 31, 1781 he was exchanged for General Lord Cornwallis and completed his voyage. Laurens was also present during the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Paris. He retired from public life in 1784, declining requests that he return to the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the state assemble. In addition to his political achievements Henry Laurens also served as a member of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1772 to 1792.