Laurens, Henry

One page (13 3/8 x 10 5/8 in.; 340 x 270 mm.), signed “Henry Laurens”, as President of the Continental Congress, on an address leaf to Thomas Wharton, Jr., President of the Council of Pennsylvania, with recipient’s docketing, “ 177(8) Jany 1st from the honble Henry Laurens Esq President of Congress"; formerly folded, tears repaired on upper and lower margin due to wax seal removal and on docketing due to ink acidity. 

This rare Revolutionary War free frank is on the address leaf of a January 1, 1778 letter to Pennsylvania president Thomas Wharton, Jr. The leaf was originally attached to Laurens’ letter which enclosed a December 31, 1777 Act of Congress “promoting a speedy reformation in the army in discipline and economy.”