[PRESIDENTS OF CONTINENTAL CONGRESS]. IN UNITED CONGRESS ASSEMBLED. SIX DOCUMENTS FROM PRESIDENTS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. -- HUNTINGTON, Samuel. Autograph draft letter (unsigned), to Minister of France [Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes], Norwich, 7 November 1781. 1 pages, folio, closed tear from acidity along a struck-out word, "Chesapeake." CELEBRATING THE "GLORIOUS SUCCESS OF OUR COMBINED FORCES" IN CAPTURING "LORD CORNWALLIS AND HIS ARMY." Huntington's two-year term as president of the Congress ended in July 1781, but the news of the Yorktown triumph compels him to draft this exuberant letter to the man who was crucial in bringing French aid to bear on the American war effort: "I cannot deny myself the pleasure of Congratulating you Sir on the Important & Glorious success of our Combined Forces on the compleat capture of Ld Cornwallis and all his Army. The conduct of Comte de Grasse...Evinces that he possesd Tallents & accomplishments equal to his Station & worthy of so Important a Command in the Navy. May our Success this Campaign be proportionate to the Generous...aids received from his most Christian [Majesty]" -- GORHAM, Nathaniel (1738-1796), President of Congress. A.L.S. ("Nathaniel Gorham") to Messrs. Reynell & Coates, Charlestown, Mass., 5 Nov. 1772. 1 p., folio, tear at horizontal crease, tape on verso. HANCOCK'S SUCCESSOR AS PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESS talks business with his Philadelphia merchants. "Capt. Hinkley...wrote you desiring you to ship me 2 tons Barr Iron which I take this opportunity to desire you to alter & in the room of it to send six Tons pig Iron & if you cannot get pig Iron then to send the Barr Iron as afore mentioned." -- CLINTON, George. (1739-1812), Governor, Vice-President. A.L.S. ("Geo Clinton," with flourish), as Gov., to Henry Glenn, Poughkeepsie, 31 Dec. 1782. 2pp., folio, integral address leaf in Clinton's hand, slight fraying to margins. RECOMMENDING A SCHOOL-TEACHER. Clinton provides a very complimentary testimonial for a teacher being considered for a position in a Latin school. The bearer, Mr. Riggs, Clinton has known since "his first arrival in this country near twenty years ago. His character is fair & exemplary...his conduct has been such as to have moved generally the esteem & friendship of his acquaintances....he taught the languages in the school at Kingston & since the present War at Rhinebeck." -- RANDOLPH, Peyton (1721-1775), First President of the Continental Congress. Engraved D.S. ("Peyton Randolph"), also signed by John Blair, endorsed on verso by Treasurer Robert Carter Nicholas (1728-1780). [Virginia], 4 March 1773. 1p., oblong (4 7/8 x 6 in.), finely engraved with the arms of Virginia at top, text in a florid italic hand, left-hand portion with a complex series of calligraphic flourishes and banner "To Counterfeit is death." A VERY RARE VIRGINIA "ASHBY" FIVE-POUND NOTE, elaborately engraved by Harry Ashby of London and printed in England on fine laid paper. The notes, in several denominations, did not arrive in Virginia until September 1773 and were then numbered, signed and issued. The bill was issued "according to Act of Assembly" and is signed on verso by Virginia Treasurer Robert Carter Nicholas. -- ST. CLAIR, Arthur. A.L.S. ("Ar.St. Clair," with flourish) to a group of "Ladies of New York," Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, 4 March 1813. 2pp., 4to, clean tear neatly mended. ST CLAIR REVIEWS HIS CAREER AS GOVERNOR OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. A fine, rather poignant letter from the retired general and President of Congress. He has received the ladies' letter, praising his services to the nation. "Tho' the frost of many winters are upon my Head, my Heart is not yet so cold as to be insensible to female Prayer. It conveyed a Balm to my wounded Spirit. Wounded, not by the loss of fortune and the need of pecuniary aid, but by Censure, obloquy and contumely..." -- WOLCOTT, Oliver. Autograph envelope with free frank signed ("Franked O. Wolcott"). 1p., oblong envelope. Addressed to Mrs. Laura Wolcott. Together 6 items.