Laurens, Henry (1724-1792) to George Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04803 Author/Creator: Laurens, Henry (1724-1792) Place Written: Yorktown, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 November 1777 Pagination: 2 p. ; 33 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Laurens as president of the Continental Congress; signed once and initialed twice by Laurens. Retained copy encloses extracts of Congress and a postscript reporting the passing of those resolutions. The extracts concern recovery and protection of the Hudson (North) River. Draft of letter to Richard Caswell on verso regarding the appropriation of funds for a memorial for Brigadier General Nash, who died at Germantown.
Laurens was a commission merchant in Charleston, S.C. He served in the Virginia Assembly from 1764 through 1776, and the U.S. Continental Congress from 1777 to 1779. Caswell was a delegate to the North Carolina State constitutional convention and its president in 1776. He was Governor of North Carolina from 1776 to 1780.
Q.M. York Town 5 Novem: 1777.
Sir.
I had the honour of addressing you yesterday in a Letter which [inserted: from unavoidable delay] will accompany this.
[struck: By order of Congress] I now forward [struck: to your Excellency] two Extracts from the Minutes of Congress [inserted: both] dated the 4th Inst. One containing an Order founded upon a Report from the Marine Commee. relative to the Continental Frigates [inserted: & other Navigation] at & near Bordentown, submitted to Your Excellency [inserted strikeout] [struck: for approbation] [inserted: for approbation] & in that [strikeout] [inserted: event] requiring the necessary assistance for the construction & management of Batteries to be erected. - The other minutes testifying the attention of Congress to the Merits of [struck: the] [inserted: such of the] Officers & Troops of the [struck: service of the] United States [inserted and struck: as are particular][inserted: as are specially needed in the Region] in order that that several Votes [inserted: upon this occasion] may be made public in the Army under Your Excellency's Command.
I [struck: hope] [inserted: beg] the liberty of passing under Your Excellency's protection Letters to Commodore Hazelwood Colonel Green & Lieutt. Colo. Smith containing [illegible] the [inserted and struck: particular] Vote of Congress respecting [inserted: each of] those brave Officers. [struck: and for want of a better conveyance] permit me [inserted: also Sir] to trouble you with a packet for the Honble. Mr. Speaker of Assembly in Delaware & to request you will order it to be forwarded by the first [strikeout] [inserted: conveyance.] -
I have the honour to be
with great Respect & Regard
Sir
Your Excellencys
Most Obedt. Servant
Henry Lawrens
Presdt in Cong.
His Excellency
General Washington
PS -
[2] PS. PM. 5 Novem.
Since writing as above Congress have confirmed several Resolutions for the disposition of the Troops in the Eastern & Northern departments for the Recovery & protection of the North River the reinforcing the Main Army near Philadelphia & other matters which extended & Certified Your Excellency will find under Cover with this & to which I beg leave to refer
HL -
Gen Washington
York Town 5 Nov 1777
Sir.
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the 1 Inst. by the hand of Jacob Upp who on his way to SoCarolina is to leave a packet directed to you at Hallifax
Congress having taken and in consideration the Merits of many brave Officers in the Armies of the United States were pleased to distinguish the Name of the late Brigadier General Nash who fell by a Mortal Wound received in the battle of Germantown & to Vote the Sum of five hundred Dollars for erecting a Monument to his Memory
I am directed to transmit the inclosed Certified Resolve of the 4 Inst. [inserted: & to] request[struck: ing] Your Excellency to give the necessary Orders [text loss] accomplishing in the most effectual manner the views of Congress upon this occasion
I have the honour to be
Sir Your Excellencys
Most Obedt. Servant
His Excellency. HL
Richd Casewell Esqr
NorCarolina
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