Congress of the Confederation, Charles Thomson, Printed Document Signed, “An Ordinance for the Regulation of the Office of the Secretary of Congress,” March 31, 1785, 1 p., 7-3/4 x 12-3/4 in., Evans# 24779

Provenance: A Historic Edenton Family Collection

Note: As Secretary of Congress nine years earlier, Thomson and Congress President John Hancock had been the only two men to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Thomson played a key role in the new national government, as the Secretary of the Continental and Confederation Congress from 1774 to 1789.

“...He shall transmit to the several states, all acts, ordinances, resolutions and recommendations of Congress—correspond with the states, for the purpose of receiving communications from them, relative to the execution of the same, and make report to Congress—keeping a book in which shall be entered copies of all such letters and communications...”

“...He shall authenticate all acts and proceedings of Congress not specially directed to be authenticated by their president—and keep a register of all treaties, conventions, ordinances and permanent acts of Congress...”

Charles Thomson (1729-1824) of Pennsylvania served as Secretary of the Confederation Congress throughout its entire fifteen-year existence. His role was more than merely clerical, and some considered him as essentially the “Prime Minister of the United States,” particularly when Congress was not in session. This ordinance clarified his duties. Because the Secretary of Congress was to “authenticate all acts and proceedings of Congress,” Thomson signed the ordinance. Later, under the new federal government, the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives assumed many of the responsibilities previously held by Thomson.

Thomson was born in Ireland to Scots-Irish parents. After his mother’s death, his father decided to emigrate to Britain’s American colonies. His father died at sea, and Thomson and his brothers were separated in America. A blacksmith in Delaware cared for him, and he received an education in Pennsylvania. In 1750, he became a Latin tutor. During the years of protest against the Stamp Act and Intolerable Acts, Thomson became a leader of Philadelphia’s Sons of Liberty. Most importantly, he served as secretary to the Continental Congress through its entire history, from 1774 to 1789.

Very rare. We are aware of only one other signed copy appearing on the market, at R & R Auction, July 27, 2024, where it sold for $12,972.50

Thomson and the Declaration of Independence

For an act or resolution of Continental Congress to be official, only the president and secretary of Congress had to sign. Congress voted to pass the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed, and it went directly to John Dunlap’s printing shop. The location of the original July 4th Declaration manuscript has not been recorded since. Later in July, after New York changed its vote to make approval unanimous, Congress ordered the engrossed "unanimous Declaration which was not officially related to its passage". The signers affixed their “John Hancocks” on August 2, 1776.

Thomson and the United States Constitution

As secretary of the Confederation Congress, Charles Thomson was the only person to sign official copies of the Constitution sent to the state to launch the ratification the process. See lot 1509.