Henry Laurens document signed ("Henry Laurens") while President of the Continental Congress. One partially printed page, 13.5" x 8.5", no place, [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]; no date, [circa 1777-1779]. An unengrossed military commission for serving in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War signed by Henry Laurens as president of the Continental Congress and Charles Thomson, as secretary of Congress. A printed blank military commission signed by Laurens (1724-1792) as president of the Continental Congress and Charles Thomson (1729-1824) as secretary of Congress. It was customary for a sitting president and his secretary to pre-sign papers and uncompleted documents prior to their being filled out and issued. In this case, the military appointment was signed, but never issued, between November 1, 1777 and December 9, 1779, when Laurens' served as president of Congress. The document reads, in part: "We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be _______________ in the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of ____________ by doing and performing all manner of Things thereto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as _____________ And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress, for the purpose appointed, of Commander in Chief, for the Time being, of the Army of the United States, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress." Henry Laurens (1724-1792) succeeded John Hancock as the fifth president of the Continental Congress, serving from November 1, 1777 to December 9, 1778. In fall 1779, he was appointed U.S. minister to the Netherlands and traveled to Amsterdam to enlist their support in the war. After successfully negotiating an American-Dutch treaty, his ship was intercepted by the British on its return from Europe. The papers Laurens was carrying back to America were thrown overboard but retrieved by the British, which resulted in British attacks upon Dutch shipping vessels and prompted the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War. Laurens was charged with treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London for nearly two years. He was eventually released on December 31, 1781 in exchange for British General Lord Cornwallis. Condition: Rough edges. Light scattered soiling and foxing. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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