Continental Currency
Charles Thomson Signed Continental Congress Treasury Order to Hole Cancel and Burn Redeemed Continental Bills
September 1780-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document Signed, “Charles Thomson,” as Secretary of the Continental Congress, regarding Redemption, Cancel and Burning of Continental Congress Treasury Guaranteed Bills and Loans, Very Fine.
A Unique “Discovery” piece. This Document is an extraordinary and historic, Continental Congress Treasury Order to Hole Cancel and Burn Redeemed Continental Bills (Currency Notes) of the various 1780 “Guaranteed” by the United States State issues of paper currency. An original, official Continental Congress Treasury Document, written and signed by the Secretary of the Continental Congress, Charles Thomson.

This Document was officially issued by the Continental Congress, being fully written and Signed by the hand of Charles Thomson. It is dated September 1780, which corresponds to the issue of “Guaranteed” by the United States Currency Notes, from a number of States, issued in the year 1780. States that issued these “Guaranteed by the United States” notes included, MA, MD, NH, NJ, NY, PA, and VA. This unique Document measures 8” x 10” being boldly written in rich brown ink on clean, laid period paper. There is an irregular top outer edge, expected light folds and is in overall very nice condition.

Charles Thomson nas written and signed this Resolution order of the Continental Congress for the Treasury, to specifically “Hole Cancel” and also burn all such redeemed Treasury Bills (Paper Money Notes). Here Charles Thomson, as the official Secretary of the Continental Congress, has signed a Resolution written completely in his hand, as passed by Congress. The Resolution directs that all Continental Bills of Credit (Guaranteed State Notes) be punched with a hole, examined and burned as Congress directs, Signed “Cha. Thomson, Secy” at its conclusion. It reads, in full:

“1780 -- Resolved, That the Continental Bill of Credit, as they are brought into the Loan Offices, pursuant to the Act of the Resolution of Congress of the 18th of March last, be immediately struck through with a circular puch, and burned as Congress shall direct. --- Extract from the minutes (Signed) Chas Thomson, Secy”.

A partial docket on the blank reverse reads: “punching a circular hole in each Bill rec(eived) from the Treasurer”.
Charles Thomson (November 29, 1729 – August 16, 1824) was a Patriot leader in Philadelphia during the American Revolution and the secretary of the Continental Congress (1774–1789) throughout its existence.

Thomson was a leader in the revolutionary crisis of the early 1770s. John Adams called him the "Samuel Adams of Philadelphia". Thomson served as the secretary of the Continental Congress through its entirety. Through those 15 years, the Congress saw many delegates come and go, but Thomson's dedication to recording the debates and decisions provided continuity. Along with John Hancock, president of the Congress, Thomson's name (as secretary) appeared on the first published version of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776.