Papers of John Adams, volume 3

407 From Perez Morton, 19 January 1776 Morton, Perez Massachusetts Provincial Congress JA

1776-01-19

From Perez Morton, 19 January 1776 Morton, Perez Massachusetts Provincial Congress Adams, John

From Perez Morton

Council Chamber Jany 19th 1776 Sir

Agreable to the Direction of the inclosed Resolution, I am to acquaint you that by a joint Ballot of both Houses of Assembly for the Colony of Massachusetts Bay You are elected one of the Delegates to represent that Colony in American Congress untill the first Day of January AD 1777 And the enclosed Resolve you are to make the general Rule of your Conduct.

By order of the Genl. Court, Perez Morton Dpy Secr

RC (Adams Papers); with enclosure, which is docketed: “a true Copy Attst Perez Morton Dpy Secr”; docketed by JA: “Morton 1776.”

Enclosure: Resolution Appointing Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 18 January 1776 Morton, Perez Lowell, John Warren, James Massachusetts Provincial Congress JA Continental Congress, Massachusetts delegates Hancock, John Adams, Samuel Paine, Robert Treat Gerry, Elbridge

1776-01-18

Enclosure: Resolution Appointing Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 18 January 1776 Morton, Perez Lowell, John Warren, James Massachusetts Provincial Congress Adams, John Continental Congress, Massachusetts delegates Hancock, John Adams, Samuel Paine, Robert Treat Gerry, Elbridge

Enclosure: Resolution Appointing Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress

In Council Jany 18 17761

Whereas John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, and Elbridge Gerry Esqrs. have been chosen by joint Ballot of the two houses of Assembly to represent the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England in the American Congress untill the first day of January A.D. 1777—

Resolved that they or any one or more of them are hereby fully impowered, with the delegates from the other American Colonies to concert, direct and order such further measures as shall to them appear best calculated for the Establishment of Right and Liberty to the American Colonies upon a Basis permanent and secured against the power and arts of the British administration And guarded against any future Encroachments of their Enemies with power to adjourn to such times and places as shall appear most conducive to the publick Safety and advantage.

Read and accepted, sent down for Concurrence,

John Lowell Dpy: Secy: pro tem In the House of Representatives Jany: 18, 1776

Read and concurred, And the Secretary is hereby directed as soon as may be to signify to each of those Gentlemen their Appointment, with an attested Copy of this Order.

Sent up for Concurrence,

J Warren Spkr: In Council Jany: 18 1776

Read and concurred,

John Lowell Dpy Secy: pro-tem

RC (Adams Papers); with enclosure, which is docketed: “a true Copy Attst Perez Morton Dpy Secr”; docketed by JA: “Morton 1776.”

408 1.

Actual election of these delegates had taken place on 15 Dec. 1775, but over a month's delay occurred before the two houses agreed upon the form of instructions and commission; moreover, through oversight the list of Council choices does not include either Gerry or Cushing on 15 Dec. (Mass., House Jour. , 1775–1776, 3d sess., p. 44, 74, 83, 158, 164–165; Force, Archives , 4th ser., 4:1235–1236). The Boston Gazette of 25 Dec. 1775, however, lists the names of all five men as having been elected “Last Week.” See JA's Service on the Council, 26 Dec. 1775 – 24 Jan. 1776, Editorial Note (above).