[Continental Congress]: Thomson, Charles:

$22,500 · Offered by William Reese Company

[MANUSCRIPT RESOLUTION SIGNED BY SECRETARY OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, CHARLES THOMSON, PROPOSING FRANKING PRIVILEGES FOR MEMBERS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL ... An important manuscript document proposing franking privileges for members of the upcoming Constitutional Convention, signed in his own hand by Charles Thomson as Secretary of the Continental Congress.The brief document states: "Resolved - That the privilege of sending and receiving letters and packets free of postage be extended to the Members of the Convention to be held in Philadelphia on the second Monday in May next, in the same manner as is allowed to the Members of Congress." Records of the Continental Congress show that this resolution was made by Edward Carrington of Virginia, and seconded by William Samuel Johnson of Connecticut.While this may seem like a minor privilege considering the relatively low costs of modern postage, not only was mail service a much greater undertaking in the 18th century, this resolution suggests that Congress understood that the forthcoming Constitutional Convention would not only be a significant event, but a lengthy one as well. Franking privileges would allow for lengthier and more substantive debates during the Convention, with delegates able to communicate more easily with officials in their home states. The convention did, in fact, result in a new system of government and, ultimately, the United States Constitution. Notably, it was only known as the "Constitutional" Convention a

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