1551[Thursday October 26. 1775.] (Adams Papers)
On Thursday October 26. 1775. The Subject again brought on the Carpet, and the same discussions repeated, for very little new was produced. After a long discussion in which Mr. John Rutledge, Mr. Ward, Mr. Lee, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Gadsden, Mr. Dyer, and some others had spoken on the same Side with me, Congress resolved that a Committee of five members be appointed to take into Consideration, the...
1552[November 4th. 1775] (Adams Papers)
On November 4th. 1775 The Committee appointed to take into Consideration the State of South Carolina, brought in their report, which being read a number of Resolves were passed, the last of which will be found in page 235 of the Journals at the bottom. Resolved that if the Convention of South Carolina, shall find it necessary to establish a form of Government in that Colony, it be recommended...
1553[Sixth of December 1775] (Adams Papers)
About the sixth of December 1775, I obtained Leave of Congress to visit my Family and returned home. The General Court satt at Watertown, Our Army was at Cambridge and the British in Boston. Having a seat in Council, I had opportunity to Converse with the Members of both Houses, to know their Sentiments and to communicate mine. The Council had unanimously appointed me, in my Absence, without...
1554[In Congress, January–June 1776] (Adams Papers)
I returned to my daily routine of Service in the Board of War, and a punctual Attendance on Congress, every day, in all their hours. I returned also to my almost dayley exhortations to the Institutions of Governments in the States and a declaration of Independence. I soon found there was a Whispering among the Partisans in Opposition to Independence, that I was interested, that I held an...
1555[9th. of Feb. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On the 9th. of Feb. 1776 The day on which Mr. Gerry and I took our Seats for this Year, sundry Letters from General Washington, General Schuyler, Governor Trumbull, with Papers enclosed were read, and referred to Mr. Chase, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Penn, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Rutledge. For these letters see JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789,...
1556[14th. of Feb. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On the 14th. of Feb. 1776 sundry Letters from General Schuyler, General Wooster and General Arnold were read and referred with the Papers enclosed, to Mr. Wythe, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Chase. On the same day Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into Consideration the Report of the Committee on the regulations and Restrictions, under which the Ports should be...
1557[15th of Feb. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
On the 15th of Feb. 1776. Sundry other Letters from General Lee, General Schuyler and General Wooster were referred to the Committee to whom the Letters received Yesterday were referred. On the same day Congress took into Consideration the Report from the Committee of the whole house, and after debate resolved that it be recommitted. Resolved that Congress will tomorrow morning resolve itself...
1558[Fryday Feb. 16. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday Feb. 16. 1776. Agreable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into consideration the Propriety of Opening the Ports &c. After some time spent Mr. Ward reported, that not having come to a conclusion, The Committee asked leave to sit again. Granted. See Diary entry (Notes of Debates), 16 Feb. 1776 .
1559[Saturday Feb. 17. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday Feb. 17. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from Generals Arnold, Wooster, Schuyler and Lee were referred brought in their report, which was agreed to in the several Resolutions detailed in page 67. and 68 of this Volume of the Journals. Same day Resolved that Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Sherman be a Committee to prepare Instructions for the Committee appointed to go to...
1560[Monday Feb. 19. 1776] (Adams Papers)
On Monday Feb. 19. 1776 Congress attended an Oration in honour of General Montgomery, and the Officers and Soldiers who fell with him.
1561[Tuesday Feb. 20. 1776. and Wednesday Feb. 21.] (Adams Papers)
OnTuesday Feb. 20. 1776. and on Wednesday Feb. 21. Means were contrived to elude the Committee of the whole House.
1562[Thursday Feb. 22. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday Feb. 22. 1776. Two Letters from General Washington, were referred to a Committee of the whole house. Accordingly Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, and after some time, Mr. Ward reported that the Committee had come to no Conclusion, and Congress resolved that Tomorrow they would again resolve themselves into a Committee of the whole, to take into their farther...
1563[Fryday Feb. 23. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday Feb. 23. 1776. Resolved that Congress will on Monday next resolve itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into Consideration the Letters from General Washington.
1564[Monday Feb. 26. 1776] (Adams Papers)
Monday Feb. 26. 1776 arrived, and a Letter from General Lee, was referred to Mr. McKean, Mr. John Adams and Mr. Lewis Morris, but no Resolution of Congress into a Committee of the whole. Lee’s letter, dated 22 Feb., is in PCC , No. 158. A “Report [thereon] was delivered in by J Adams” on 28 Feb.; action was deferred until 1 March and then quashed (Richard Smith, Diary, Burnett, ed., Letters of...
1565[Tuesday Feb. 27. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
On Tuesday Feb. 27. 1776. The order of the day was renewed, but nothing done.
1566[Wednesday Feb. 28. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday Feb. 28. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from General Lee &c. were referred brought in their report. Resolved that the Consideration of it be postponed till tomorrow. Mr. William Whipple from New Hampshire appeared: an excellent Member and a valuable Addition to our Phalanx. A Letter of the 14th. from General Washington, inclosing a Letter from Lord Drummond to General...
1567[Fryday March 1. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday March 1. 1776. Resolved that this Congress will tomorrow resolve itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into Consideration the Letter of General Washington of the 14th with the Papers inclosed. Resolved That the Memorial from the Merchants of Montreal be referred to a Committee of five Mr. Wilson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. L. Morris and Mr. Tilghman. JA here again...
1568[Tuesday March 5. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday March 5. 1776. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into their consideration the Letter from General Washington of the 14th of Feb. and the Papers enclosed and after some time the President resumed the Chair and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee have had under their consideration the Letters and Papers to them referred, but have come to no resolution...
1569[Wednesday March 6. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday March 6. 1776. A Letter from General Washington of the 26. of Feb. was read. Resolved that it be referred to the Committee to whom his other Letters are referred. The order of the day renewed. Washington’s letter is printed in his Writings , ed. Fitzpatrick The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799 , ed. John C. Fitzpatrick, Washington,...
1570[Thursday March 7. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday March 7. 1776. The order of the day was renewed.
1571[Fryday March 8.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday March 8. No order of the day. The Committee to whom the Letters from Generals Schuyler, Wooster and Arnold were referred brought in their report. These letters had been read in Congress on 4 March and referred that day to the committee (of which JA was a member) appointed to prepare instructions for the commissioners going to Canada ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals...
1572[Saturday March 9. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday March 9. 1776. The Committee appointed to prepare Instructions for the Commissioners going to Canada, brought in a draught which was read.
1573[Monday March 11. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Monday March 11. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the Instructions to the Commissioners going to Canada. Postponed.
1574[Tuesday March 12. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday March 12. 1776. Postponed again.
1575[Wednesday March 13. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday March 13. 1776. Although the System had been so long pursued to postpone all the great Political Questions, and take up any other Business of however trifling Consequence; Yet We were daily urging on the order of the day: and on this day We succeeded. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into Consideration the Memorial of the Merchants &c. of Philadelphia...
1576[Thursday March 14. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday March 14. 1776. The State of the Country so obviously called for independent Governments, and a total Extinction of the Royal Authority, and We were so earnestly urging this measure from day to day, and the Opposition to it was growing so unpopular, that a kind of Evasion was contrived in the following Resolution, which I considered as an important Step, and therefore would not oppose...
1577[Fryday March 15. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday March 15. 1776. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into Consideration the State of New York, and after some time the President resumed the Chair and Mr. Harrison reported, that the Committee have come to certain Resolutions. These may be seen in the Journal and relate wholly to the defence of New York. This is the first Appearance of Mr. Harrison as Chairman...
1578[Saturday March 16 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday March 16 1776. Mr. W. Livingston brought in a Proclamation for a Fast on the 17th of May. Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, according to the standing order of the Day. Mr. Harrison reported no Resolution.
1579[Monday March 18.] (Adams Papers)
Monday March 18. Order of the Day again. Mr. Harrison reported no Resolution.
1580[Tuesday March 19.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday March 19. The order of the Day again. Mr. Harrison reported that the Committee have come to sundry Resolutions, which they directed him to lay before Congress. The Report of the Committee being read Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to draw a Declaration pursuant to said Report and lay the same before Congress. The Members chosen Mr. Wythe, Mr. Jay and Mr. Wilson. Mr....
1581[Wednesday March 20. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday March 20. 1776. Congress resumed the Consideration of the Instruction and Commission to the Deputies or Commissioners going to Canada, and agreed to them as they appear in the Journal. In these We obtained one Step more towards our great Object, a General Recommendation to the States to institute Governments. Congress recommended to the People of Canada to set up such a form of...
1582[Thursday March 21. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday March 21. 1776. There are three Resolutions, which I claim Resolved That it be recommended to the several Assemblies &c. that they exert their Utmost Endeavours to promote the Culture of Hemp, Flax and Cotton and the grouth of Wool. Resolved that it be recommended to the said Assemblies &c. that they take the earliest measures for erecting and establishing in each and every Colony, a...
1583[Fryday March 22. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Fryday March 22. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the Declaration brought in by the Committee, and after debate, the further Consideration of it, at the request of a Colony was postponed till tomorrow.
1584[Saturday March 23. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday March 23. 1776. The Congress resumed the Consideration of the Declaration, which was agreed to as follows. Whereas the Petitions of the United Colonies to the King, for the redress of great and manifold grievances, have not only been rejected, but treated with Scorn and contempt, and the Opposition to designs evidently formed to reduce them to servile Submission, and their necessary...
1585[Monday the 25 of March 1776] (Adams Papers)
On Monday the 25 of March 1776 I made a Motion and laid it in Writing on the Table in these Words Resolved That the Thanks of this Congress, in their own Names and in the Name of the thirteen United Colonies, whom they repre sent be presented to his Excellency General Washington and the Officers and Soldiers under his Command, for their wise and spirited Conduct in the Seige and Acquisition...
1586[Tuesday March 26, 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday March 26, 1776. Congress were informed of the Death of Governor Ward and on
1587[Wednesday March 27 1776] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday March 27 1776 they attended his Funeral in mourning for a Month. In this Gentleman who died of the Small Pox, We lost an honourable, a conscientious, a benevolent and inflexible Patriot. See also JA to AA , 29 March ( Adams Papers ; JA-AA, Familiar Letters Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams, during the Revolution. With a Memoir of Mrs. Adams, ed. Charles...
1588[Thursday March 28. 1776] (Adams Papers)
Thursday March 28. 1776 a Multitude of details but no Committee of the whole house.
1589[Friday March 29. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Friday March 29. 1776. More Trifles but no Committee of the whole.
1590[Saturday March 30. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Saturday March 30. 1776. Ditto.
1591[Monday April 1st.] (Adams Papers)
Monday April 1st. A Measure of Great Importance was adopted—a Treasury Office with an Auditor and a sufficient Number of Clerks. On the 17th. of February 1776 Congress had Resolved that a standing Committee of five be appointed for superintending the Treasury. Their duties pointed out and Mr. Duane, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Gerry, Mr. Smith and Mr. Willing were chosen on the Committee. On this day...
1592[April 2. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
April 2. 1776. The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter of Thanks to General Washington, and the Officers and Soldiers under his command brought in a draught which was read and agreed to: Ordered that it be transcribed, signed by the President and forwarded. —But the Letter a great part of the Compliment of which would have lain in the Insertion of it in the Journal, was carefully secluded....
1593[April 3. 1776] (Adams Papers)
April 3. 1776 great Things were done. The Naval System made great Progress. See JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 4:251–254.
1594[April 4. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
April 4. 1776. We did great Things again. Agreable to the order of the Day, the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into Consideration the Trade of the United Colonies, and after some time spent thereon, the President resumed the Chair and Mr. Harrison reported that the Committee had taken into Consideration the matters referred to them and had come to sundry...
1595[April 5. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
April 5. 1776. Good Fryday.
1596[April 6. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
April 6. 1776. Congress resumed the consideration of the Report, from the Committee of the whole, and the same being twice read, and debated by paragraphs, was agreed to. These Resolutions are on the Journal, and amount to something. They opened the Ports and sett our Commerce at Liberty: But they were far short of what had been moved by Members from Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia. There...
1597[Tuesday April 9th. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Tuesday April 9th. 1776. No Committee of the whole.
1598[Wednesday April 10. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
Wednesday April 10. 1776. Resolved that the Letters from General Washington be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress. These were two additional letters, both dated 1 April ( JCC Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, Washington, 1904–1937; 34 vols. , 4:266); they are printed in Washington, Writings , ed. Fitzpatrick The Writings of George...
1599[April 11. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
April 11. 1776. Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed to enquire into the Truth of the Report respecting Governor Tryons exacting an Oath from Persons going by the Packet, and to ascertain the Fact, by Affidavits taken before a Chief Justice, or other Chief Magistrate. The Members chosen Mr. Jay, Mr. Wythe and Mr. Wilson. This helped forward our designs a little. Resolved That it be...
1600[April 12th. 1776.] (Adams Papers)
April 12th. 1776. No Committee of the whole.