Henry Laurens papers, 1762-1780.

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Henry Laurens papers, 1762-1780.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/81545318

Henry Laurens' manuscript letterbook (Aug. 30, 1762 - Sept. 10, 1766) contains 486 letters covering a wide variety of subjects from his distinguished career. They detail is purchase, sale, leasing and management of lands and plantations, and the importation and sale of goods from abroad and other colonial merchants. The correspondence is rich in details about Laurens's role as a slave owner, including information on his purchase, leasing, and sales of numerous African Americans as well as instructions to overseers and purchases of "Negro goods" for plantation use. As a representative on the South Carolina Provincial Commons, many of his letters were addressed to Governor Thomas Boone ad contain a wealth of local inter-colonial and British political intelligence including details of political debates, of Cherokee relations, back country settlers, the Stamp Act, commerce, and the formation of pro-independence groups in the years leading up to the war. The volume contains a four-page index of 162 correspondents. Two disbound volumes, 1774-1780, (still organized by volume and page number) pertain to the work of the Continental Congress, over which Laurens presided from 1777 to 1778. The documents and correspondence (many of which are congressional copies) include numerous papers concerning the terms of the Saratoga Convention, sorted out between Generals Heath and Burgoyne, as well as correspondence of Horatio Gates, Robert Pigot, George Washington, Jonathan Trumbull, Pierce Butler, and Hugh Dalrymple, among others. Copies of some of Laurens' outgoing letters are included as well, as are reports of the Committee of Safety. In addition to documents concerning military affairs, there are numerous records and committee reports pertaining to finances and the treasury, including a list of salary and expenses incurred by John Adams while on government business in Boston and France. Other papers relate to the issue and depreciation of currency. Lastly, there are numerous papers concerning colonists' relations with Native Americans, including accounts of violence on the western frontier and congressional issuances and speeches to the Native Americans.

2 boxes, 1 vol.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 8265912

Related Entities

There are 7 Entities related to this resource.

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gk092n (person)

Henry Laurens (March 6, 1724 [O.S. February 24, 1723] – December 8, 1792) was an American Founding Father, merchant, slave trader, 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 Continental Congress. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, he recieved his early education there before being sent to L...

United States. Continental Congress

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w64j43p9 (corporateBody)

The central governing body of the American colonies from 1774, continuing during the American Revolution; and also the first governing body of the U.S. until the establishment of the U.S. Constitution in 1789. From the description of Continental Congress minutes, 1778 Oct. 21. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 429918299 Noah Cooke, Jr. (1749-1829) earned his Harvard AB 1769. His early career was as a clergyman, but he later became a lawyer. He was admitted to the bar in Cheshir...

Hillegas, Michael, 1729-1804

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69c7g70 (person)

Michael Hillegas (1729-1804) was a merchant, sugar refiner, and iron magnate who used his wealth to assist the American revolutionary cause. He was involved in the young government's affairs as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania, treasurer of the Philadelphia Committee of Safety, and the first treasurer of the new United States of America. He married Henriette Boude (1731-1792) and with her had ten children. From the description of Michael Hillegas papers, 1757-1782,...

United States. Continental Loan Office

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jx33w4 (corporateBody)

Francis Hopkinson was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and in 1778 became treasurer of the Continental Loan Office. He later became a federal judge. From the description of Bill of exchange to be paid to Tobias Ten Eyck. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 778207397 ...

Heath, William, 1737-1814

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68w3dnw (person)

American Major-General. From the description of Autograph letter signed : Boston, to Ebenezer Hancock, 1777 Apr. 3. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270864067 Army officer. From the description of Papers of William Heath, 1776-1782. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71061920 Army officer in the Revolution, Massachusetts state senator, and jurist. From the description of Papers of William Heath, 1774-1777. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83784932 ...

Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63b61kh (person)

American revolutionary general. From the description of Autograph letter signed : Traveller's Rest, to F. Meriwether, Esq., 1787 Jan. 19. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270864014 Revolutionary general. Born in England, Gates settled in Virginia in 1772 after a career in the British army that included service in the French and Indian War. He was commissioned adjutant-general of the Continental Army in 1775, and was in command at the pivotal victory of Saratoga. After Saratoga...

Burgoyne, John, 1722-1792

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6g15zs9 (person)

Burgoyne was a Lieutenant General of British forces during the American Revolution, who surrendered at Saratoga in Oct. 1777. From the description of John Burgoyne letter : to M.G. Gates, 1777 Dec. 12. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 63936829 British general. From the description of ALS : near Bemis Heights, N.Y., to Horatio Gates, 1777 Sept. 27. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122591552 General and Dramatist. ...