Autographs
Continental Congress Military Appointment Signed by “Henry Laurens” as President of the Congress
HENRY LAURENS (1724-1792). Succeeded John Hancock as 2nd President of the Continental Congress, he was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and President of the Continental Congress when the Articles were passed on November 15, 1777.
c. 1777-78 Revolutionary War, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Henry Laurens” as President of the Continental Congress, 1 page, measures 13.25” x 8”, no date, Un-accomplished, Choice Extremely Fine. Being an Order of Congress Appointing the recipient to an office in the Army of the United States. Document is signed while blank and not filled in, save for Henry Laurens’ 2.75” long, fine brown signature at the lower right. Light expected folds and minor age toning, with its original rough deckled full wide margin edges. This Document is boldly printed on fine quality laid period paper, with deep black text making it excellent for display.
Henry Laurens was an American merchant and rice planter from South Carolina who became a political leader during the Revolutionary War. A delegate to the Second Continental Congress, Laurens succeeded John Hancock as President of the Congress.

Laurens had earned great wealth as a partner in the largest slave-trading house in North America (Austin and Laurens). In the 1750s alone, this Charleston firm oversaw the sale of more than 8,000 enslaved Africans.

He was for a time Vice-President of South Carolina and a diplomat to the Netherlands during the Revolutionary War. He was captured at sea and imprisoned for some time by the British in the Tower of London