Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792 to William Ellery
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00110 Author/Creator: Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792 Place Written: Charlestown, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 14, 1780 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.3 x 18.8 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Laurens, previously President of the Continental Congress. Laurens left his Congressional seat in November 1779 and returned home before departing from Philadelphia for the Netherlands to negotiate a loan in August 1780 (he was captured by the British on that journey). To Ellery, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a Continental Congressman from Rhode Island. References Ellery's letter of 24 December 1779. Expresses fears on the British approach to Charlestown (after 1783, Charleston). General Sir Henry Clinton's expeditionary force had landed in South Carolina on 10 February 1780 and would capture Charlestown on 12 May 1780. Quotes a passage from the third chapter of the Old Testament book of Habakkuk, which stress encouragement through faith despite hard times. Says he prays for Ellery and for all his friends in Congress. Two tears where seal was removed.
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