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Patriot leader (1729–1824) in Philadelphia during the American Revolution and the secretary of the Continental Congress (1774–1789) throughout its existence; Thomson was the only person to sign the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration alongside John Hancock. Scarce and important broadside printing of "An Ordinance for the Regulation of the Office of the Secretary of Congress," one page, 8 x 12.75, March 31, 1785, boldly signed at the conclusion in ink, "Cha. Thomson, Sec'y." The document details the duties of the secretary, including various record keeping activities, the delivery of attested copies of documents, the transmission of papers to state and federal officials, and the protection of the great seal of the union.
In part: "Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, that the Secretary of Congress shall in future be charged with the following duties, and shall keep his office in or near the statehouse or building where the sessions of Congress shall be holden. He shall carefully preserve the journals of Congress, and all other papers committed to his charge; and such as are secret in their nature, or by special order, shall not be communicated by him to any person, except members of Congress, and such persons as may be entitled thereto by special resolutions…He shall deliver attested copies of any resolutions of Congress, or public papers in his office…He shall keep a daily account of all memorials, petitions and communications received by Congress…He shall transmit to the several states, all acts, ordinances, resolutions and recommendations of Congress…He shall keep the great seal of the federal union, and cause the same to be affixed to every act, ordinance, or paper Congress shall direct. He shall superintend the printing of the journals and other publications ordered by Congress." In fine condition.
This was likely the first time that Congress formally laid out the responsibilities of its secretary. The legislation was drafted by James Monroe, David Howell, Charles Pinckney, Robert R. Livingston, and Joseph Gardner, and submitted to Congress on February 25, 1785. It was part of a larger effort to better define the various executive poses in the Continental Congress and make the body more effective. Many of these duties would be assumed by the Secretary of State under the Constitution of 1787.
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