1601[April 13. 1776. and April 15.] (Adams Papers)
April 13. 1776. No Committee of the whole. April 15. No Committee of the whole.
1602[Tuesday April 16. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday April 16. 1776. Whereas Information has been this day laid before Congress, from which there is great reason to believe that Robert Eden Esq. Governor of Maryland, has lately carried on a Correspondence with the British Ministry highly dangerous to the Liberties of America: Resolved therefore that the Council of Safety of Maryland be earnestly requested immediately to cause the Person...
1603[Wednesday April 17. 1776. Thursday April 18.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday April 17. 1776. Thursday April 18. No Committee of the whole.
1604[Fryday April 19.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday April 19. Resolved that a Committee of seven be appointed to examine and ascertain the Value of the several Species of Gold and Silver Coins current in these Colonies, and the Proportions they ought to bear to Spanish milled Dollars. Members chosen Mr. Duane, Mr. Wythe, Mr. John Adams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Whipple. The Committee to whom General Washingtons Letter...
1605[Monday April 22. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday April 22. 1776. A Letter from the Canada Commissioners, one from General Washington of the 19th, one from General Schuyler, inclosing sundry Letters and Papers from Canada, and one from the Committee of Inspection of West Augusta with sundry Papers inclosed, were referred to Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Jay, Mr. Braxton and Mr. Johnson. For these letters see JCC Worthington C. Ford...
1606[Tuesday April 23. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday April 23. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from General Washington, General Schuyler and the Letters from Canada &c. were referred brought in their report.
1607[Wednesday April 24.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday April 24. Thomas Heywood Heyward Junr. Esqr. a new Member from Carolina, and an excellent one, appeared in Congress from South Carolina. On him We could always depend for sound Measures, though he seldom spoke in public. Thomas Lynch Junr. Esqr. also appeared. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, but came to no resolutions.
1608[Thursday April 25. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday April 25. 1776. Two Letters from General Washington of the 22 and 23 were referred to Mr. R. H. L ee, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Hewes. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the Letter from General Washington of the 27th. of March last and the Papers therein enclosed, Mr. Harrison reported that the Committee had come to a...
1609[Fryday April 26. and Saturday April 27.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday April 26. Postponed. Saturday April 27. Ditto.
1610[Monday April 29 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday April 29 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Report of the Committee on General Washingtons Letter of the 19 and came to sundry Resolutions which may be seen in the Journal.
1611[Tuesday April 30. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday April 30. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the Report of the Committee on General Washingtons Letter of the 24 of March, whereupon resolved as in the Journal. Of some importance but nothing to the great Objects still kept out of Sight. The Delegates from New Jersey having laid before Congress a number of Bills counterfeited to imitate the continental Bills of Credit Resolved that...
1612[Thursday May 2. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday May 2. 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Report of the Committee on General Washingtons Letter of the 24 of March last and after debate Resolved That it be recommitted; and as the members of the former committee are Absent, that a new committee be appointed. The Members chosen Mr. Dickinson, Mr. W. Livingston and Mr. Rutledge. The Recommitment and the names of the new...
1613[Fryday May 3. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 3. 1776. A Petition from Peter Simon was presented to Congress and read. Ordered that it be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen Mr. McKean, Mr. Wythe and Mr. J. Adams. The Committee to whom the Report on General Washingtons Letter of the 24. of March last was recommitted, brought in their report which was read. Ordered to lie on the Table. This committee reported on...
1614[Monday May 6. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday May 6. 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Report on General Washingtons Letter of the 24th. of March, and thereupon came to the following resolution: Whereas General Washington has requested directions concerning the Conduct that should be observed towards Commissioners said to be coming from Great Britain to America Resolved That General Washington be informed that...
1615[Wednesday May 8. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday May 8. 1776. The Instructions from the Naval Committee to Commodore Hopkins being laid before Congress and read: Ordered That they be referred to a Committee of seven, and that it be an Instruction to that Committee to enquire how far Commodore Hopkins has complied with the said Instructions, and if upon Inquiry they shall find that he has departed therefrom, to examine into the...
1616[Thursday May 9. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday May 9. 1776. A Committee of the whole:—Mr. Harrison reported a Resolution, which he read and delivered in. The Resolution of the Committee of the whole was again read, and the determination thereof, at the Request of a Colony was postponed till tomorrow.
1617[Fryday May 10. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 10. 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Resolution reported from the Committee of the whole, and the same was agreed to as follows: Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective Assemblies and Conventions of the United Colonies, where no Government sufficient to the Exigencies of their Affairs, hath been hitherto established, to adopt such Government as shall in the...
1618[Saturday May 11. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday May 11. 1776. A Petition from John Jacobs in behalf of himself and others was presented to Congress and read. Ordered that it be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen Mr. John Adams, Mr. Lee and Mr. Rutledge. A Committee of the whole. Mr. Harrison reported no Resolution. This days Journal of this Committee shews, with what Art other matters were referred to these...
1619[Monday May 13. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday May 13. 1776. Sundry Petitions were presented to Congress and read, viz. one from Dr. Benjamin Church, and one from Benjamin, Samuel and Edward Church, with a Certificate from three Physicians respecting the health of Dr. B. Church. Here I am compelled, much against my Inclination to record a Fact, which if it were not necessary to explain some things I should rather have concealed....
1620[Tuesday May 14. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday May 14. 1776. A Letter of the 11th. from General Washington inclosing sundry Papers; a Letter of the 3d from General Schuyler; and a Letter of the 9th. from Daniel Robertson were laid before Congress and read. Resolved that they be referred to a Committee of three. The Members chosen Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Jefferson and Mr. John Adams. William Ellery Esqr. appeared a Delegate from...
1621[Wednesday May 15. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On Wednesday May 15. 1776 reported the following which was agreed to Whereas his Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the Lords and Commons of Great Britain, has, by a late Act of Parliament, excluded the Inhabitants of these united Colonies from the Protection of his Crown; and whereas no Answer whatever to the humble Petitions of the Colonies for redress of Grievances and reconciliation...
1622[May 16. 1776. Thursday.] (Adams Papers)
May 16. 1776. Thursday. The following Letters were laid before Congress and read. One of the first from the Commissioners of Congress in Canada: one of the 10th from General Schuyler, and one without date from General Washington, inclosing a Letter to him from Dr. Stringer. Resolved That the Letter from Dr. Stringer to General Washington be referred to the Committee appointed to prepare...
1623[Monday. May. 20. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday. May. 20. 1776. Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnet appear as Delegates from Georgia: both intelligent and spirited Men, who made a powerful Addition to our Phalanx. Certain Resolutions of the Convention of South Carolina, respecting the Battalions to be raised in that Colony; also certain resolutions passed by the General Assembly of the said Colony, respecting the manner in which...
1624[Tuesday May 21. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday May 21. 1776. Three Letters from General Washington, inclosing Letters and Papers of Intelligence from England, and a Copy of the Treaties made by his Britannic Majesty with the Duke of Brunswick for 4084 of his Troops; and with the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel for 12,000 of his Troops; and with the Count of Hanau for 668 of his Troops. A Letter from William Palfrey with a Copy of his...
1625[Thursday May 23 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday May 23 1776. Resolved That a Committee of five be appointed to confer with General Washington, Major General Gates, and Brigadier General Mifflin, upon the most speedy and effectual means of supporting the American Cause in Canada. The Members chosen, Mr. Harrison, Mr. R. H. Lee and Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Rutledge. This “committee of conference” brought in a report next day...
1626[Fryday May 24. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 24. 1776. The Committee appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major General Gates and Brigadier General Mifflin brought in their report. The Resolutions reported and adopted may be seen on the Journal. Agreable to order, General Washington attended in Congress, and after some Conference with him, Resolved that he be directed to attend again tomorrow.
1627[Saturday May 25. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday May 25. 1776. Resolved that a Committee be appointed to confer with his Excellency General Washington, Major General Gates, and Brigadier General Mifflin, and to concert a Plan of military Operations for the ensuing Campaign. The Members appointed Mr. Harrison, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wilson, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Whipple, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr....
1628[Monday May 27. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday May 27. 1776. Agreable to order, the Indians were admitted to an Audience.
1629[Wednesday May 29. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday May 29. 1776. The Committee appointed to confer with the Generals brought in a Report which was read and considered, Resolved that the farther Consideration of the Report be postponed till tomorrow.
1630[Thursday May 30. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday May 30. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the Report of the Committee appointed to confer with the Generals. Resolved that it be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress. Mr. Harrison reported one Resolution, relative to the defence of New York. Leave to sit again.
1631[Fryday May 31.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday May 31. The Committee of Conference brought in a farther report which was read. Resolved that it be referred to the Committee of the whole Congress. Mr. Harrison reported a request to sit again. Granted.
1632[Saturday June 1. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday June 1. 1776. Colonel Joseph Read resigned his Office of Secretary to General Washington. Committee of the whole again. Mr. Harrison reported some resolutions. Leave to sit again.
1633[Monday June 3. 1776] (Adams Papers)
Monday June 3. 1776 Committee of the whole. Mr. Harrison reported sundry resolutions. Leave to sit again.
1634[Tuesday June 4th. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday June 4th. 1776. Committee of the whole. Mr. Harrison reported more resolutions. Leave to sit again. Resolutions reported postponed.
1635[Wednesday June 5th. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday June 5th. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the report of the Committee of the whole; whereupon resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to consider what is proper to be done with Persons giving Intelligence to the Ennemy or supplying them with provisions. The Members chosen Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Wilson and Mr. R. Livingston. Resolved that Robert...
1636[Fryday June 7th. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday June 7th. 1776. Certain Resolutions respecting Independency being moved and seconded. Resolved That the Consideration of them be referred till tomorrow morning; and that the members be enjoyned to attend punctually at ten O Clock, in order to take the same into their consideration. It will naturally be enquired why these Resolutions and the Names of the Gentlemen who moved and seconded...
1637[Saturday June 8. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday June 8. 1776. Resolved that the Resolutions respecting Independency be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress. Mr. Harrison reported no Resolution. Leave to sit again.
1638[Monday June 10. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday June 10. 1776. Committee of the whole. Mr. Harrison reported a Resolution. The Resolution agreed to in the Committee of the whole Congress being read, Resolved that the Consideration of the first resolution be postponed to the first day of July next; and in the mean while, that no time be lost in Case the Congress agree thereto, that a Committee be appointed to prepare a declaration to...
1639[June 11. 1776. Tuesday.] (Adams Papers)
June 11. 1776. Tuesday. Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to consider of a Compensation to the Secretary for his services. The Members chosen Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Hewes. Resolved that the Committee for preparing the declaration consist of five. The Members chosen Mr. Jefferson, Mr. John Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman and Mr. R. R. Livingston. Jefferson was...
1640[Wednesday June 12. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday June 12. 1776. Resolved that the Committee to prepare and digest the form of a confederation, to be entered into between these Colonies, consist of a Member from each Colony. The Members appointed Mr. Bartlet, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Sherman, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. Dickenson, Mr. McKean, Mr. Stone, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Hewes, Mr. E. Rutledge and Mr. Gwinnet. Resolved that the...
1641[Thursday June 15. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday June 15. 1776. Congress having proceeded to the Election of a Committee to form the Board of War and Ordinance, the following Members were chosen Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Wilson and Mr. E. Rutledge. Richard Peters Esqr. was elected Secretary of the said Board. From this time, We find in Almost every days Journal References of various Business to the Board of War,...
1642[Fryday June 28. 1776] (Adams Papers)
Fryday June 28. 1776 a new Delegation appeared from New Jersey. Mr. William Livingston and all others who had hitherto resisted Independence were left out. Richard Stockton, Francis Hopkinson and Dr. John Witherspoon were new Members.
1643[Monday July 1. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday July 1. 1776. A Resolution of the Convention of Maryland, passed the 28th. of June was laid before Congress and read: as follows: That the Instructions given to their Deputies in December last, be recalled, and the restrictions therein contained, removed, and that their Deputies be authorised to concur with the other Colonies, or a Majority of them, in declaring the United Colonies free...
1644[July [4]. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
July 4 . 1776. Resolved that Dr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Jefferson be a Committee to prepare a device for a Seal for the United States of America. This paragraph is interlined in the MS and mistakenly placed between the last two paragraphs of the entry dated 1 July. The editors have placed it where JA no doubt intended to put it. This committee reported on 20 Aug., but its report was...
1645[Monday July 15. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday July 15. 1776. A Letter from Mr. Jay and two Letters from the Convention of New York of the 11th with sundry Papers inclosed, among which were the following Resolutions In Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York White Plains July 9. 1776 Resolved Unanimously, that the Reasons assigned by the Continental Congress for declaring the United Colonies free and independent...
1646[Wednesday July 17. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday July 17. 1776. The Board of War to whom the Letter from General Washington of the 14th was referred brought in their report which was taken into consideration; whereupon Resolved That General Washington, in refusing to receive a Letter, said to be sent from Lord Howe, addressed to George Washington Esqr., acted with a Dignity becoming his Station; and therefore the Congress do highly...
1647[Thursday July 18. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday July 18. 1776. Resolved that a Member be added to the Board of War. The Member chosen Mr. Carrol, an excellent Member, whose Education, Manners and Application to Business and to Study did honour to his Fortune, the first in America. The Committee appointed to prepare a Plan of Treaties to be entered into, with foreign States and Kingdoms, brought in their report, which was read....
1648[Fryday July 19. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday July 19. 1776. The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration whereupon Resolved. See the Resolutions in the Journal. The Committee appointed to prepare a Resolution for subjecting to Confiscation the property of the Subjects of Great Britain &c. brought in the same which was read: Ordered to lie on the Table, and that the same be taken into consideration on...
1649[Saturday July 20. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday July 20. 1776. Resolved that the Letter from General Lee with the papers inclosed, which were received and read Yesterday be referred to the Board of War. A Petition and memorial of Monsieur Pellissier was presented to Congress and read. Resolved that it be referred to the Board of War. Resolved that the Plan of Treaties be printed for the Use of the Members, under the Rest r ictions...
1650[Monday July 22. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday July 22. 1776. The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into consideration the Articles of confederation, and after some time the President resumed the Chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee have made some progress in the matter to them referred, but not having come to a conclusion, desire leave to sit again. Resolved that this Congress will...