1From John Adams to Samuel Chase, 9 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 5th came to me the 8th. You will see by this Post, that the River is past and the Bridge cutt away. The Declaration was yesterday published and proclaimed from that awfull Stage, in the State house Yard, by whom do you think? By the Committee of Safety,! the Committee of Inspection, and a great Crowd of People. Three cheers rended the Welkin. The Battallions paraded on the common,...
29 July., 9 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
9 July. The congress named officers for the Virginia Rifle Company and resolved that money be sent to Virginia and Maryland for the rifle companies ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress , 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 5:529; Note: An additional resolution immediately following and concerning the appointment of William Palfrey to the...
3[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...
4To George Washington from Certain Inhabitants of New York City, 9–14 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
New York, 9–14 July 1776 . “Your Memorialists are of Opinion that suffering Tories to remain in this City or near it on Long Island & Shrewsbury &ca will be attended with much danger. . . . Your Memorialists therefore pray your Excellency that orders may be given for the removal of dangerous persons from this City and other Places to some distant parts in the Country, that the minds of your...
5To George Washington from Colonel Henry Knox, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
From a view of the present important contest with Great Britain it appears that the war is but in its infancy. To carry it on with vigour and success a well regulated and numerous body of Artillery will be necessary. The present number of officers and men of the Regiment of Artillery here are not sufficient for the posts in and round about this City. To supply this deficiency a number of men...
6To John Adams from Jonathan Mason Jr., 9 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Whether to act in a civil or military department, many are the disadvantages attendant upon those who are just entering upon the stage of Life—The universal confusion throughout all America—This I doubt not, being intended as the Era of a glorious independancy, tho’ of happy consequences, yet they have cast a temporary veil upon the prospects of the rising Generation. The mature have a task...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Nothing extraordinary has happened here; The Frigate that appeard yesterday under Sail standing towards the Town is now out of View—supposd to be in Princes Bay—At this Post & the Blazing Starr are posted about 1000 of the N. Jersey Militia—They begin to be so anxious to return to their Harvest, under the apprehension of their familys being without support, if they continue longer that I have...
8Resolutions of the New York Convention Approving the Declaration of Independence, 9 July 1776 (Jay Papers)
Resolved, unanimously , That the reasons assigned by the Continental Congress for declaring the United Colonies free and independent States are cogent and conclusive; and that while we lament the cruel necessity which has rendered that measure unavoidable, we approve the same, and will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, join with the other Colonies in supporting it. Resolved , That a copy...
9General Orders, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
John Evans of Capt: Ledyards Company Col. McDougall’s Regiment—Hopkins Rice of Capt: Pierce’s Company Col. Ritzema’s Regiment having been tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Read was President and found guilty of “Desertion,” were sentenced to receive each Thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves the Sentences and orders them to be executed at the usual time & place. Passes to go...
10From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the Inclosed Declaration, which I have the honor to Transmit you, that Congress of late have been employed in deliberating on matters of the utmost Importance. Impelled by necessity and a repetition of Injuries unsufferable, without the most distant prospect of releif, they have asserted the claims of the American Colonies to the rights of Humanity and declared them Free...
11From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter received by Congress from Mr Thomas Green Coppy of which they did me the honor to inclose, I have the pleasure to hear of the arrival of Capt. Chace, with a valuable Cargo at Providence —and as that Honble Body have been pleased to order the Flints at Rhode Island, belonging to the Continent, to be sent to me here, (as ⅌ their Resolution Inclosed) I would therefore request you...
12From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Decleration will shew you, that Congress at length impelled by necessity have dissolved the Connection between the American Colonies & Great Britain and declared them free and Independent States, and in compliance with their order I am to request you will cause this Decleration to be immediately proclaimed at the head of the Continental Regiments in the Massachussets Bay. It being...
13From George Washington to the Board of War, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your request communicated by Mr Peters’s Letter of the 6th Instant I am to inform you that no provision has yet been made in the Continentl Army in the Instances of your Inquiry though I have been frequently applied to. In respect to the Serjeant Majors & Quarter Master Serjeants they have been exempted from Common duties, which has been complained of by the rest. As to Drum &...
14From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the inst. is safe to hand. Colo. Seymour arrived yesterday with a few of his men when I sent for and acquainted him it would be impossible for me to have his Horses remain here. Forrage is not to be procured, and if it could, it would only be a great expence without a single advantage arising from it. The men are absolutely necessary till the arrival of the new Levies—Coll Seymour is...