60. WILLIAM HEATH CONSOLES A CASHIERED COLONEL 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 his election to the Presidency. A manuscript L.S. in the hand of CHARLES THOMSON, 1p. legal folio, Camp Virplank's Point, Sept. 6, 1782, to Col. Badlam, sending his condolences, in part: "...I assure you I have viewed with concern your dismission from the army after so many and long services...many very improper recruits have been sent on to the army - it became necessary that a stop should be put to the impositions. I am sorry if it fell on you...". Split at horizontal folds but still legible. $300-400