Lot 40: THOMSON, CHARLES

40. CHARLES THOMSON Important A.D.S. "Chas Thomson", 2pp. legal folio, [Philadelphia], Nov. 14, 1780, a copy of a resolve of the Continental Congress recommending to the state legislatures to execute those caught supplying the British. The resolve reads in part: "Whereas it is represented by the Commander in Chief that he Enemy at New York desire great supplies of provisions from a trade with the adjacent states... Resolved that it be... recommended to the Legislatures of the respective States, by whom hat not already been done to inflict capital punishment on all Such persons as Shall directly or indirectly supply the Enemy with provisions or military or naval stores..." By virtue of their ample supply of hard currency, the British, based primarily in New York, were able to purchase supplies from the surrounding countryside. Congress and the Army, armed with only worthless paper currency and promissory notes, were no competition, thus necessitating such strong measures to dissuade farmers from selling to the British. Fold separations repaired, marginal losses and losses along fold affect signature and several words of text. Estimated accordingly. $400-500