Resolved, that the order of the day be postponed until Monday next. Adjourned till Monday at 9 o'clock. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1775 The Congress met according to adjournment. The committee, appointed for preparing a resolve for a fast, brought in a report, which, being read, was agreed to as follows: As the great Governor of the World, by his supreme and universal Providence, not only conducts the course of nature with unerring wisdom and rectitude, but frequently influences the minds of men to serve the wise and gracious purposes of his providential government; and it being, at all times, our indispensible duty devoutly to acknowledge his superintending providence, especially in times of impending danger and public calamity, to reverence and adore his immutable justice as well as to implore his merciful interposition for our deliverance: This Congress, therefore, considering the present critical, alarming and calamitous state of these colonies, do earnestly recommend that Thursday, the 20th day of July next, be observed, by the inhabitants of all the English colonies on this continent, as a day of public humiliation, fasting and prayer; that we may, with united hearts and voices, unfeignedly confess and deplore our many sins; and offer up our joint supplications to the all-wise, omnipotent, and merciful Disposer of all events; humbly beseeching him to forgive our iniquities, to remove our present calamities, to avert those desolating judgments, with which we are threatned, and to bless our rightful sovereign, King George the third, and [to] inspire him with wisdom to discern and pursue the true interest of all his subjects, that a speedy end may be put to the civil discord between Great Britain and the American colonies, without farther effusion of blood: And that the British nation may be influenced to regard the things that belong to her peace, before they are hid from her eyes: That these colonies may be ever under the care and protection of a kind Providence, and be prospered in all their interests; That the divine blessing may descend and rest upon all our civil rulers, and upon the representatives of the people, in their several assemblies and conventions, that they may be directed to wise and effectual meas ures for preserving the union, and securing the just rights and priviledges of the colonies; That virtue and true religion may revive and flourish throughout our land; And that all America may soon behold a gracious interposition of Heaven, for the redress of her many grievances, the restoration of her invaded rights, a reconcilation with the parent state, on terms constitutional and honorable to both; And that her civil and religious priviledges may be secured to the latest posterity. And it is recommended to Christians, of all denominations, to assemble for public worship, and to abstain from servile labour and recreations on said day. Ordered, That a copy of the above be signed by the president and attested by the Sec' and published in the newspapers, and in hand bills." On motion ordered that the letter to the Inhabitants of Canada be published in English. The order of the day being read, after some debate the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money. After some time the president resumed the chair, and M [Samuel] Ward reported from the Committee that they had proceeded in the business referred to them but not having come to a conclusion desired him to move for leave to sit again. Resolved that the Congress will to Morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money, and also the state of America. Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock. TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1775 The Congress met and agreeable to the order of the day resolved itself in a committee of the whole to take 1It was printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 19 June, 1775. A portion of one of the original broadside issues is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 23, folio 5. The entry in the Journal of this resolve is in the writing of Timothy Matlack. into consideration the ways and means of raising money and also the state of America. After some time spent therein the president resumed the chair and M' [Samuel] Ward reported that the committee not having come to a conclusion desired him to move for leave to sit again. Resolved, that this Congress will to Morrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money, and also the state of America. Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1775 The Congress met and agreeable to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration &c. After some time spent thereon, the president resumed the chair, and M [Samuel] Ward reported, that not having yet come to a conclusion they desired him to move for leave to sit again. At the same time they desired him to report some resolutions which they had come into. The resolutions being read, were adopted as follows: Resolved, That six companies of expert rifflemen, be immediately raised in Pensylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; that each company consist of a captain, three lieutenants, four serjeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter, and sixty-eight privates. That each company, as soon as compleated, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army. That the pay of the Officers and privates be as follows, viz. a captain @ 20 dollars per month; a lieutenant @ 133 dollars; a serjeant @ 8 dollars; a corporal @ 73 dol lars; drummer or [trumpeter] @ 73 doll.; privates @ 63 dollars; to find their own arms and cloaths. That the form of the enlistment be in the following words: I have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do'bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the sa Army. Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. [George] Washington, Mr. [Philip] Schuyler, Mr. [Silas] Deane, Mr. [Thomas] Cushing, and Mr. [Joseph] Hewes be a committee to bring in a dra't of Rules and regulations for the government of the army. A letter from the convention of New York, dated 10 June, 1775, respecting a vessel which is stopt there, on suspicion of having provisions on board for the army and navy at Boston, was read and referred to the delegates of Massachusetts bay, Connecticut, and New York. Resolved, That the Congress will, to Morrow, resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money, and the state of America. This to be a standing order, until the business is compleated. Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o'clock. THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1775 The congress met according to adjournment. The committee, to whom the letter from the convention of New York was referred, brought in their report, which being read, Resolved, That the thanks of this congress be given to the convention of New York, for their vigilance in the case of Capt. Coffin's vessel, and that it be recommended to them that the vessel be unloaded, and the cargo safely stored, until all just suspicions, concerning the destination of it, shall be removed. Ordered, That this be transmitted, by the Pres, in a letter to the chairman of the convention of New York. Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money and the state of America; after some time spent therein the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported, that the committee had come to certain resolutions, which they desired him to report, but not having yet come to a conclusion ordered him to move for leave to sit again. The report of the committee being read and debated, Resolved, That a General be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty. That five hundred dollars, per month, be allowed for his pay and expences. The Congress then proceeded to the choice of a general, ||by ballot, when George Washington, Esq. was unanimously elected.1 Resolved, that the Congress will to Morrow again resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of America. Adjourned till to Morrow ||at eight o'clock.[l FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1775 The congress met according to adjournment. The president from the chair informed Geo: Wash 1These resolutions were printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 11 December, 1775. Washington was nominated by Thomas Johnson of Maryland, and the election was unanimous. The attitude of the Congress and the causes leading to this choice are fully described in the Diary and later correspondence of John Adams. |