Diary of John Adams, volume 3
1776-04-19
Fryday April 19. Resolved that a Committee of seven be appointed to examine and ascertain the Value of the several Species of Gold and 379Silver Coins current in these Colonies, and the Proportions they ought to bear to Spanish milled Dollars. Members chosen Mr. Duane, Mr. Wythe, Mr. John Adams, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Whipple.1
The Committee to whom General Washingtons Letter of the 15th. instant, as well as other Letters were referred brought in their report, which being taken into Consideration, was agreed to whereupon resolved—See the Journal.2.
One Resolution was that the Resignation of James Warren, as Paymaster General of the Army be Accepted.—This Gentleman had been appointed at my Solicitation. Mr. Samuel Adams and Mr. Gerry concurring. Our other Colleagues notwithstanding.
The Committee to whom were referred the Letter from General Washington of the 4th and the Letter from General Schuyler of the second of this month, brought in their report. Adjourned to Monday.
This committee brought in a report, written by Wythe, on 22 May; on 24 July the report was recommitted and Jefferson added to the committee; a new report, by Jefferson, was submitted on 2 Sept. and tabled (
JCC
, 4:293–294, 381–383; 5:608, 724–728; Jefferson, Papers, ed. Boyd, 1:511–518). It does not appear that JA had any hand in either report.
JCC
, 4:295–297. JA was not a member of this committee.
1776-04-22
Monday April 22. 1776. A Letter from the Canada Commissioners, one from General Washington of the 19th, one from General Schuyler, inclosing sundry Letters and Papers from Canada, and one from the Committee of Inspection of West Augusta with sundry Papers inclosed, were referred to Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Jay, Mr. Braxton and Mr. Johnson.1
For these letters see
JCC
, 4:298, note. Washington's letter is printed in his
Writings, ed. Fitzpatrick, 4:492–494. The committee brought in a report, prepared by John Jay, on the 23d, and Congress adopted several resolutions thereon; on the 29th it adopted further resolutions; and on 3 May “after some debate the farther consideration []of the report] was postponed” (
JCC
, 4:301, 318, 324).
1776-04-23
Tuesday April 23. 1776. The Committee to whom the Letters from General Washington, General Schuyler and the Letters from Canada &c. were referred brought in their report.
1776-04-24
Wednesday April 24. Thomas Heywood
Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, but came to no resolutions.