Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
For the satisfaction of the good People of these United States & for the honour of the American Arms, Congress have judged it necessary that a proper & full enquiry be made into the cause of the failure of the late intended expedition against Rhode Island under the Command of General Spencer & into the conduct of the General Officers employed upon that occasion.
For effecting this necessary Examen. Congress have appointed five Commissioners & marked particular directions for their proceeding & from a confidence in your continued Zeal in the Public service have included your Name in the Commission.
For your further information please to be referred to a Certified Copy of the Act of Congress dated the 12th Inst: which, in company with this, I have now the honour of transmitting. I am with great Regard Sir Your obedient & Most humble Servant
President of Congress
Henry Laurens (1724–1792), a successful merchant from Charleston, S.C., was elected to that colony’s First Provincial Congress in 1775 and became president of both that body and the Council of Safety. In 1777 he went to the Continental Congress as one of South Carolina’s delegates, and on Nov. 1 succeeded John Hancock as president, retaining that post until Dec. 9, 1778. Laurens continued in Congress until November 1779. After that he was appointed a commissioner to negotiate a loan and treaty with the Dutch but en route was captured by the British who held him prisoner from October 1780 until April 1782, when he was exchanged for Lord Cornwallis. Laurens later became one of the peace commissioners in 1782 (
ANB
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