Autographs
“Henry Laurens” Signed 1763 Bold Financial Document
HENRY LAURENS (1724 - 1792). Succeeded John Hancock as President of the Congress, Signatory to the Articles of Confederation.
June 23, 1763-Dated, Autograph Document Signed, “Henry Laurens,” 1 page (written upon both sides by five persons), 12” x 8” page, Charles-Town (South Carolina), Choice Fine. This documents Laurens signing in receipt of monies paid by a George Saxby, the King's Receiver General, in part:

"…Two hundred pounds sterling, in One Thousand four hundred & forty two pounds Curr[en]t money by virtue of a power of Attorney from John Rutherford Esqr & Frances his wife as Executors of the last will & Testament of the late Governor Johnston of North Carolina under His Majesty's Warrant to the representatives of the said Governor Johnston."

Boldly written in deep rich brown, some irregular ragged edges, not affecting Laurens' text or signature, which are impressively penned and signed. Likely a page from a ledger since the two sides have four other notations, being also similarly signed by other people, as the official statement of payments received from George Saxby. This is a very rare early Document that is very nicely Signed by Henry Laurens.
Henry Laurens (1724 - 1792) was an American merchant and rice planter from South Carolina who became a political leader during the Revolutionary War. A Delegate to the Second Continental Congress, Laurens succeeded John Hancock as President of the Congress. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation.

Laurens had earned part of his wealth by operating the largest Slave-trading house in North America. In the 1750s alone, his Charleston firm oversaw the sale of more than 8,000 enslaved Africans. He was for a time Vice-President of South Carolina and a diplomat to the Netherlands during the Revolutionary War. He was captured at sea and imprisoned for some time by the British in the Tower of London.

His son John Laurens, persuaded the Continental Congress to allow Slaves to enlist in exchange for freedom and was authorized to recruit a regiment (3000 men). He believed that Americans could not fight for their own freedom while Slaves were held. After John died during the war, the senior Laurens later freed his Slaves, as his son had urged.