Historedia
Person

Henry Laurens

Events
4
Episodes
15
Years
1777–1784

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Henry Laurens, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Approval of the Articles of Confederation

    1777

    Role: President of the Congress; signed the November 17, 1777 cover letter accompanying copies sent to the states

    1. 1777 · Temporary seat of the Continental CongressCongress Relocates to York

      To evade advancing British troops, Congress left Philadelphia in fall 1777 for Lancaster and then York, Pennsylvania, where it would finalize the Articles.

    2. Late November 1777 · Origin of the ratification copiesCopies Sent to the States

      In late November 1777, unsigned copies of the approved Articles were sent to the states for ratification, with a November 17 cover letter signed by Laurens and Thomson.

    3. November 15, 1777 · Site of the Continental Congress's approval of the ArticlesFinal Approval of the Articles, November 15, 1777

      On November 15, 1777, the Second Continental Congress finalized and approved the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union for distribution to the states.

  2. John Adams becomes Minister to France

    1777–1783

    Role: Appointed to collaborate with Adams; posted to the Dutch Republic

    1. November 1777 · ParisEarlier Commissioner to France

      In November 1777 Adams learned he was named commissioner to France, joining Franklin and Arthur Lee in Paris.

    2. circa 1781–1782 · Europe (unspecified)Thwarting Neutral Mediation

      In the meantime, Adams thwarted an attempt by neutral European powers to mediate the war without consulting the United States.

    3. April 1781 – January 1782 · The Hague, Dutch RepublicDutch Diplomacy, 1781–1782

      Adams pursued loans and recognition in the Dutch Republic, presenting credentials at The Hague in April 1781 and returning in January 1782.

    4. September 3, 1783 · Paris negotiationsPeace Negotiations and Treaty of 1783

      Adams collaborated with Franklin, Jay, Jefferson, and Laurens in negotiations; the treaty was signed September 3, 1783, recognizing independence.

  3. John Jay Chosen as President of Continental Congress

    1778–1779

    Role: Previous president of the Continental Congress and Jay's political adversary

    1. December 10, 1778 · Continental Congress, December 1778John Jay elected President of the Continental Congress

      The Continental Congress elected New York delegate John Jay as president on December 10, 1778, three days after he became a delegate.

    2. December 10, 1778 – September 28, 1779 · Continental CongressJay's tenure as president, 1778–1779

      Jay served as President of the Continental Congress from December 10, 1778, until September 28, 1779, before his appointment as Minister to Spain.

  4. Treaties of Paris and Versailles

    1782–1784

    Role: United States negotiator

    1. April–September 1782 · Paris, FrancePeace negotiations open in Paris

      Negotiations began in Paris in April 1782 after North's government fell following Yorktown, continuing through the summer.

    2. November 30, 1782 · Location of drafting not stated in the supplied passages; some negotiations occurred at Lansdowne HouseProvisional treaty drafted

      The treaty was drafted on November 30, 1782, with Shelburne seeking to separate the United States from France.

    3. 1783 · Palace of VersaillesSeparate treaties signed with France and Spain

      Great Britain signed separate agreements with France and Spain; the last two Peace of Paris treaties were signed at the Palace of Versailles in 1783.

    4. September 3, 1783 · Hôtel d'York, 56 Rue Jacob, ParisTreaty of Paris signed

      On September 3, 1783, Adams, Franklin, Jay, and Hartley signed the treaty at the Hôtel d'York in Paris, ending the war.

    5. 1784 · Location not stated in the supplied passages; concerns Britain, the Netherlands, and the Dutch East IndiesDutch treaty finalization and failed commercial treaty

      The Dutch treaty was not finalized until 1784, when captured East Indies possessions were returned for trading privileges; a hoped-for commercial treaty with Britain failed to materialize.

    6. January 14 – May 12, 1784 · Annapolis, Maryland and ParisRatification and exchange of ratified copies

      The Congress of the Confederation ratified the treaty on January 14, 1784; Britain ratified on April 9, and copies were exchanged in Paris on May 12, 1784.

Sources

  1. Articles of Confederation Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-30
  2. John Adams Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-27
  3. John Jay Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-26
  4. Treaty of Paris (1783) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-29