Diary of John Adams, volume 3
1776-07-19
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.1
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 Monday next.
The committee to whom the Letters from Lord Howe to Mr. 400Franklin &c. were referred, brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration whereupon
Resolved That a Copy of the Circular Letters, and the declaration inclosed from Lord Howe to Mr. William Franklin, Mr. Penn, Mr. Eden, Lord Dunmore, Mr. Martin, and Sir James Wright, which were sent to Amboy by a flagg, and forwarded to Congress by General Washington, be published in the several Gazettes, that the good People of these United States may be informed, of what nature are the Commissioners, and what the terms, with expectation of which the insidious court of Britain has endeavoured to amuse and disarm them, And that the few, who still remain suspended by a hope founded either in the justice or moderation of their late King, may now, at length be convinced, that the valour alone of their Country, is to save its Liberties.
JCC
, 5:591. This concerned complaints and jealousies among the officers and troops in Gen. Schuyler's command.
1776-07-20
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
The Board of War, brought in a report, which was taken into Consideration; whereupon Resolved, as in the Journal.1
The Delegates of Pennsylvania produced Credentials of a new Appointment made on the 20th. of July 1776. See their names in the Journal. Among them are those of Franklin, Clymer, Morris, Wilson, and Rush.
Resolved, that Dr. Franklin may, if he thinks proper, return an Answer to the Letter, he received from Lord Howe.
JCC
, 5:595. This concerned commissions for combat and medical officers.
1776-07-22
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 tomorrow again resolve itself into 401a Committee of the whole to take into their further Consideration, the Articles of Confederation.1
See JA's Diary entry for 25 July 1776 (Notes of Debates) and the editorial notes there. Several entries that follow in the Diary continue JA's minutes of debates in committee of the whole on the Articles of Confederation; but it is obvious here, as everywhere else in this section of the Autobiography, that JA did not look back at his private and very illuminating records of what went on in Congress.