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John Laurens autograph letter signed ("John Laurens"). ...
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Description
John Laurens autograph letter signed ("John Laurens"). Three pages of a bifolium, 7" x 8.75", no place, [Geneva]; February 27, 1774. Integral leaf addressed by Laurens to his father "Henry Laurens Esquire".Following coverage of the British Prime Minister's most recent speech, the teenage John Laurens writes a remarkable, impassioned letter to his father, Henry Laurens, declaring his hope that Lord North will not hinder America's defiance nor the unity of Congress.
"The Americans I hope will not suffer themselves to be thrown off their Guard - but continue to support their present glorious League and maintain the Congress, as the surest, perhaps the only means of preserving that unanimity of Counsels so formidable to their Enemies."
It reads, in part: "...with this comes to day's Paper containing Lord North's speech, which you will see in it's proper Light. The Americans I hope will not suffer themselves to be thrown off their Guard - but continue to support their present glorious League and maintain the Congress, as the surest, perhaps the only means of preserving that unanimity of Counsels so formidable to their Enemies - doubtless the Minister would wish to dissolve that Republican Meeting, annul it's proceedings and treat with the separate Assemblies of each particular Province. Contrive by various Inductions to Governors, various Store of Lures and Terrors held out to the People to disunite them in their Claims and Protests - then triumph over their Divisions and consequent weakness, but their Policy and Resolution will protect them from this Snare...the Tribe of Politicians is in this Country as well as with you...agitates and divides upon the American Question. Even the...Ballad Singers brawl in tumultuous Discord, the doleful Tale of wrong'd America..." Signed, "John Laurens."
In July 1771, Henry Laurens sailed to Europe with his three sons for the benefit of their education. Later that year, he established a residence in Westminster and spent the next three years mingling and corresponding with English merchants and parliamentary members. While there, he sent his two eldest sons, John and Henry, to school in Geneva, which he greatly preferred to what he considered the more indecorous atmosphere of England. Their location in Europe during a period of such political upheaval provided the two unique access to British newspapers and, consequently, their adversary's viewpoint.
In August 1774, John returned to London and was admitted to Middle Temple that autumn to study law. His father returned to South Carolina in December of 1774 and was quickly embroiled in the revolutionary government. Two years later, John abandoned his studies and returned to America to enlist in the Continental Army. He was made an aide-de-camp to General George Washington and eventually promoted to lieutenant colonel. He saw action at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Coosawhatchie and was killed while leading a charge at the Battle of the Combahee River on August 27, 1782.
Condition: Letter has been affixed along the left edge to mounting paper. Complete separation along vertical fold, which has been partially repaired with archival tape. Near-complete separation along the integral fold. Two 1" closed tears to folds along right edge. Small area of paper loss to blank leaf from seal removal upon opening. Pencil notations.
Auction Info
2022 June 25 The Founding Fathers' Fight for Liberty and the Birth of a New Nation - Part I Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6257 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2022
25th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 6
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