31V. The Declaration of Independence as Adopted by Congress, 11 June–4 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776. THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect...
32Commission from the Continental Congress, 19 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
I n C ongress T he delegates of the United Colonies of New-hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode-island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Castle Kent & Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina & South Carolina T o G eorge W ashington Esquire W e reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, conduct and fidelity Do by these presents constitute and...
33IV. The Declaration as Adopted by Congress, [6 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration by the Reprensentatives of the United Colonies of North-America, now met in Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the Causes and Necessity of their taking up Arms. if it was possible for Men, who exercise their Reason to believe, that the Divine Author of our Existence intended a Part of the human Race to hold an absolute Property in, and an unbounded Power over others, marked...
34Continental Congress Nomination as Minister to Russia, 15 December 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 15, 1780. On this date John Mathews nominated Hamilton Minister to Russia. JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (Washington, 1904–1937; Reprinted, New York, 1968). , XVIII, 1155–56. Mathews was a delegate to the Continental Congress from South Carolina. Francis Dana of Massachusetts and Arthur Lee of Virginia were the other nominees ( JCC Journals of the...
35A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America in general Congress assembled, 28 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
When in the Course of human Events it becomes necessary for a People to advance from that Subordination, in which they have hitherto remained and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the equal and independent Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Man kind requires that they Should declare the Causes, which impell them to...
36Continental Congress Motion to Extend the Time Allowed for Appeals from Maritime Courts, [6 June 1783] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 6, 1783. Under this date the Register of Reports of Committees sent to Congress reads: “On Mr Hamilton’s Motion for extending the time allowed for appeals from maritime courts.—filed.” Motion not found. ] D , Reel 198, Item 191, p. 40, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. H’s motion concerned the Confederation Court of Appeals in Cases of Captures, also...
37Instructions from the Continental Congress, 22 June 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Congress This Congress having appointed you to be General & Commander in chief of the army of the United Colonies and of all the forces raised or to be raised by them and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service and join the said army for the defence of American liberty and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof, you are to repair with all expedition to the colony of...
38Continental Congress: Agreement of Secrecy, 9 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved That every member of this Congress considers himself under the ties of virtue, honor and love of his Country not to divulge directly or indirectly any matter or thing agitated or debated in Congress before the same shall have been determined, without leave of the Congress; nor any matter or thing determined in Congress which a majority of the Congress shall order to be kept secret,...
39Motion on Impressment of Supplies, [18 May] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XX, 516). The bracketed names are in the JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). . A motion was made by Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Joseph] Jones, That the...
40Motion on Instructions to George Washington, [1 January] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journals of the Continental Congress , XIX, 2). That so much of the letter from Mr. Adams as relates to the probable operations of the enemy against the southern states be transmitted to the Commander in Chief; and that he be informed that it is the desire of Congress that he should immediately make such a distribution of the forces under his command, including those of our...
41Motion on Rules of Congress, [6 April] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XIX, 359). The bracketed names are in the JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). . On motion of Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [John] Mathews: Ordered , That...
42Enclosure: A Resolution on a Treaty of Commerce, 12 July 1781 (Adams Papers)
By the United states in Congress assembled Resolved That the commission and instructions for negotiating a treaty of Commerce between these United states and Great Britain given to the honorable John Adams on the twenty ninth day of Sep tember one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine be and they are hereby revoked. Extract from the minutes The content of all or some notes that appeared on...
43Motion regarding Virginia Currency, [11 October] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journals of the Continental Congress , XVIII, 916). On motion of Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Theodorick] Bland, Ordered , That the letter, of 27 September, from Governor Jefferson, with the copies of the acts of the legislature of Virginia enclosed therewith, be referred to the Board of Treasury, to enable them to ascertain and insert in the bills to be emitted by the...
44I. Resolution of Congress concerning a Commercial Clause, 31 December 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
In Congress, 31 Dec. 1782. “On the report of a Committee to whom was referred a letter of the 14th of October last from the Minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, Resolved” that the American joint commissioners be instructed “to endeavour to obtain for the Citizens and inhabitants of the United States a direct Commerce to all parts of the British dominions and posessions in like...
45The Continental Congress: Letter of Credence for Franklin as Commissioner to Spain, [2 January 1777] (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society, Archivo Historico Nacional; draft: National Archives On December 30 Congress decided to offer a military alliance to France and to Spain, and to send commissioners to Madrid and other European courts. On January 1 Franklin was named the commissioner to Spain; the reason for choosing him, he believed, was nothing more than that many months earlier a son of...
46Motion on Court of Appeals, [12 April] 1781 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 36, I, 137–40). Docketed, “Motion of Mr Madison April 12. 1781 Referred to Mr Varnum Mr Bee Mr McKean.” That the Judges of appeal in cases of Capture hold their sessions at Williamsburg in the state of Virginia on the first monday of November in each year—at Philadelphia on the first monday of april—at Hartford in Connecticut Boston M. Providence R.I. on the first monday of...
47To Benjamin Franklin from the Continental Congress: Instructions, [14 August–16 October 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress (two), Massachusetts Historical Society (two), New-York Historical Society; AL (draft): National Archives Much of Congress’ time in 1779 was spent drafting peace ultimata, a task imposed on it by Spain’s offer in April to mediate Britain’s conflicts with the Americans and French. France, which conveyed the offer, used Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, her minister in...
48III. Jefferson’s Commission as a Minister Plenipotentiary for Negotiating Peace, [8 January 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
The United States in Congress Assembled To all who shall see these presents Greeting. Know Ye that among the Records in our Secretary’s Office there is a Commission in the words following The United States of America in Congress Assembled to all to whom these presents shall come send Greeting Whereas these United States from a sincere desire of putting an end to the hostilities between his...
49Draft of a Declaration on the British Treatment of Ethan Allen, [2 January 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration by the Representatives of the United colonies in Congress. When necessity compelled us to take arms against Great Britain in defence of our just rights, we thought it a circumstance of comfort that our enemy was brave and civilized. It is the happiness of modern times that the evils of necessary war are softened by refinement of manners and sentiment, and that an enemy is an...
50Seal for the Admiralty of the United States, [4 May] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journals of the Continental Congress , XVI, 412). The Board of Admiralty reported the device of a seal for the Admiralty of the United States: the arms, thirteen bars mutually supporting each other, alternate red and white, in a blue field, and surmounting an anchor proper. The crest a ship under sail. The motto Sustentans et Sustentatus . The legend U. S. A. Sigil. Naval....
51Continental Congress to the American Peace Commissioners: Two Commissions, [15 June 1781] (Franklin Papers)
(I) DS : American Philosophical Society (three); D (draft): National Archives; (II) copies: American Philosophical Society, Library of Congress, Massachusetts Historical Society (three), William L. Clements Library; D (draft): National Archives In late May, 1781, the Austrian and Russian courts, invited by Britain to mediate its war with France and Spain, proposed terms to serve as a basis of...
52Motion on Impost, [18 April] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XIX, 420). On 26 March a letter of 10 March 1781, written in the name of the General Court of Massachusetts to the president of Congress by Jeremiah Powell, president of the Senate of the General Court of Massachusetts, was laid before Congress. The...
53Resolution of Congress Releasing Jefferson from His Commission to Negotiate Peace, 1 April 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the Secretary for foreign affairs inform the Hon’ble T. Jefferson in Answer to his Letter of the 13th. of March that Congress consider the Object of his Appointment so far advanced as to render it unnecessary for him to pursue his Voyage, and that Congress are well satisfied with the readiness he has shewn in undertaking a Service which, from the present Situation Affairs, they...
54The Continental Congress to Louis XVI: Letter of Credence for Franklin as Minister Plenipotentiary to France, [21 … (Franklin Papers)
L (draft): National Archives; LS : American Philosophical Society, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Archives du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, National Archives, South Carolina Historical Society The Principles of Equality and Reciprocity on which you have entered into Treaties with us, give you an additional security for that good Faith with which we shall observe them from...
55IV. The Declaration of Independence as Amended by the Committee and by Congress, 11 June–4 July 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Ed. Note: This document is TJ’s text of the Declaration as copied into his Notes of Proceedings in the Continental Congress, 7 June to 1 Aug. 1776 (which was eventually incorporated in his Autobiography) and is printed above as part of these Notes (q.v., p. 315), above; a facsimile text is available in Boyd, Declaration of Independence , 1945, pl. viii . This copy (actually there are two,...
56Additional Instructions by Congress to Franklin, Deane, and Jefferson, 16 October 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
Additional instructions to B F, S D, and T J, commissioners from the united states of America to the king of France. Whilst you are negotiating the affairs you are charged with at the court of France you will have opportunities of conversing frequen[t]ly with the ministers and agents of other european princes and states residing there. You shall endeavour, when you find occasion fit and...
57Motion on Stodder, Kerr, and North, [26 March] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XIX, 312). The bracketed names are in the JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). . A letter, of 22 February, from the governor of Virginia, was read, with a memorial...
58Continental Congress Nomination as Minister to France, 9 December 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, December 9, 1780. On this date John Sullivan nominated Hamilton “for the office of minister to the Court of Versailles.” JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (Washington, 1904–1937; Reprinted, New York, 1968). , XVIII, 1138. For background to this document, see Marquis de Lafayette to H, December 9, 1780, note 7 ( PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander...
59To Benjamin Franklin from the Continental Congress: Commission and Instructions, [28 September 1782] (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) Two copies and draft: National Archives The United States in Congress Assembled— To all who shall see these presents send Greeting— It having been represented to Congress by their Minister Plenipoy: at the Court of Versailles, that the King of Sweden has signified by his Ambassador at that Court to our said Minister, his desire to enter into a treaty with the United States in...
60Election to Board of Admiralty, [22 March] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journals of the Continental Congress , XVI, 277). Resolved , That a member be elected for the Board of Admiralty, in the room of Mr. [James] Forbes, who by reason of sickness cannot attend. Congress proceeded to an election, and the ballots being taken, Mr. [James] Madison was elected. All brackets are in printed text. Forbes (b. ca . 1731) of Charles City County, Md., died on...