[ Autographs ] Charles Thomson 1729-1824 Irish born American patriot unanimously elected first Secretary of the Continental Congress in 1774 and held the post until 1789, chosen to notify Washington of hiselection to the Presidency. Exceptional D.S. 1p. folio, [Philadelphia], Feb. 11, 1780 to the Governor and Speaker of the House of Georgia. As Secretary of the Continental Congress, Thomas forwards to General Benjamin Lincoln an extract of the Minutes of Congress. The document reads in part: '..Resolved, that Congress highly applaud the unremitting exertions of the State of Georgia and the zeal and firmness manifested by them under their difficulties and that the State of Georgia may be assured no endeavors will be wanting on the part of Congress... Resolved, that the quota of Continental troops of the State of Georgia be, the ensuing campaign One battalion of infantry and one regiment of horse... Re-solved, That the president inform the Govr of the State of Georgia that a generous exchange of prisoners is now negotiating and our regard willundoubtedly be paid to Col Elbert... Congress cannot at present promote him to the rank of Brigadier General... would be productive of discontent in the line of the army..." At bottom, Thompson writes:"Extract from the minutes Chas. Thompson, Secy" ' General Benjamin Lincoln 1733-1810 was at the time commander of Continental forces in the South and was facing a British siege at Charleston. In May, 1780 Lincoln was forced to surrender and was paroled to Massachusetts. TheColonel Elbert referred to is no doubt Samuel Elbert 1740-1788, Revolutionary War colonel who led Button Gwinett's forces and later headed Lachlan Maclntosh's forces. In 1799, following a brave defenseat Briar Creek, he was captured and after exchange commanded a brigade at Yorktown. An important document, only lightly toned along folds with a tiny hole at one fold juncture, otherwise fine.