Laurens, Henry, as President of the Continental Congress

Printed document accomplished in manuscript, signed ("Henry Laurens"), countersigned by Charles Thomson, secretary, 1 page (8 1/4 x 13 1/4 in.; 210 x 336 mm), [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania], 8 January 1777, being the commission of Andrew Irvine as Captain in the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment; formerly folded, signs of prior mounting at four corners on verso. Blue half-morocco clamshell box.

formerly folded, signs of prior mounting at four corners on verso.
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A Congressional commission.

Irvine (d. 1789) served in the Continental Army from 1776 to 1783, being present at Fort Ticonderoga, Monmouth, Stony Point, and Yorktown, and must have spent the winter of 1777-8 at Valley Forge. This commission is of interest in demonstrating how cumbersome the war effort could be as commanded by a weakly bound union of confederated States: the commission is issued by "The Delegates of the United States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay ... [etc. listing the rest] ... 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 that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief ..."