Details
McKEAN, THOMAS, 1734-1817, Signer of the Declaration of Independence (Delaware). Letter letter signed ("Tho M:Kean," with flourish) as President of Congress, to John Lawrence, Philadelphia, 19 October 1781. 1 page, 4to, 231 x 188mm. (9 1/8 x 7 7/16 in.), integral blank, recipient's docket. Fine condition.
McKean, who had been a delegate to Congress from its inception in 1775, served a short term as President from July to November 1781 and held a variety of key posts after the war, including Governor of Pennsylvania. Here, he transmits regulations regarding the pay for officers, many of whom at this time were owed substantial amounts of back payfrom Congress. "Congress on the 28th of September last appointed a mode for setting the depreciation of pay of the Officers in your department, as you will observe by an Act of Congress of that date, of which you have a copy inclosed [not present]..." Thomas McKean was the last to pen his signature on the engrossed parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence, some time after 18 January 1777.
McKean, who had been a delegate to Congress from its inception in 1775, served a short term as President from July to November 1781 and held a variety of key posts after the war, including Governor of Pennsylvania. Here, he transmits regulations regarding the pay for officers, many of whom at this time were owed substantial amounts of back payfrom Congress. "Congress on the 28th of September last appointed a mode for setting the depreciation of pay of the Officers in your department, as you will observe by an Act of Congress of that date, of which you have a copy inclosed [not present]..." Thomas McKean was the last to pen his signature on the engrossed parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence, some time after 18 January 1777.