Scope and Content Note
The papers of Charles Thomson (1729-1824) span the years 1765-1888, with the bulk of the material dating from 1765 to 1818. A majority of the papers consists of correspondence during Thomson's tenure as secretary to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1789. Thomson corresponded frequently over the years with both Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Many of these letters pertain to foreign affairs or reflect Thomson's scientific and scholarly interests. His letters from John Jay reveal Thomson's role as the key recipient of information on the events of the Revolutionary era. The papers also include Henry Laurens's charges against Thomson made before Congress in September 1779 ranging from incompetence to haughtiness, and Thomson's ten-page defense. There are notes on Charles Pinckney's speech of 10 August 1786, notes on debates in Congress in July 1777, a copy of a published 1787 ordinance concerning territory northwest of the Ohio River, and financial material. Correspondents include John Adams, Tench Coxe, John Debrett, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Laurens, James Madison, James Monroe, Gouverneur Morris, and George Washington.
The papers also include two volumes concerning Thomson's interest in biblical translations, one a translation and one a critique of a translation. Although the biblical translation was previously identified as Thomson's translation of the Septuagint, and remains so identified on the microfilm copy, it is actually from the New Testament, Romans (beginning with chapter 2), 1 Peter, and the first two chapters of 2 Peter.