October 8, 1781

McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph Reed

Written by McKean, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as President of the Confederation Congress to Reed as President of the supreme executive council in Pennsylvania. Says that Brigadier General William Irvine (McKean has written Irwine) sets out tomorrow to take command of Fort Pitt and might need the assistance of the local militia. Sends along a copy of Irvine's instructions (not included here). Says he "rests assured" that every measure of support will be given to Irvine by the militia. Written 11 days before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown.

GLC00131

8 April 1775

Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt to Richard Caswell]

Certifies receipt of Governor Richard Caswell of North Carolina 466 pounds, 13 shillings to cover the expenses of attending the first and second Continental Congress. There are four symmetrical holes in the page causing text loss.

GLC00168

February 11, 1779

Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 1734-1797

Letter signed

Title: to Gov. of Delaware

It is a letter of complaint from Francis Wade. Letter cosigned by Gouverneur Morris and William Whipple.

GLC00184.25

29 October 1780

Lewis, Francis, 1713-1803

Document signed

Title: to John Brown

[Title continued] for frigate "Confederacy" and ship "Saratoga." Co-signed by William Ellery. re: authorization of payment for beef

GLC00184.27

April 21, 1777

Bartlett, Josiah, 1729-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Whipple

Discusses various Tory conspiracies, such as counterfeiting currency (to cause inflation) and spreading smallpox. Describes the difficulties of recruiting sufficient men for the army. Notes that many men have marched to Ticonderoga. Postscript dated April 22, 1777 mentions the arrival of a French ship. Bartlett represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress.

GLC00193

April 29, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

William Whipple, a Continental Congressman, discusses the newly established Continental Navy with fellow Congressman Langdon. Refers to supplying guns to soldiers, and mentions a United States flag with "thirteen stripes red & white for the field, & a Union." Advises Langdon not to resign his Congressional seat in order to accept an appointment as a Continental Naval Agent, stating "such a step would have an avaricious appearance, & on the other hand there can not be a greater evidence of Patriotism than preferring the public good, to ones private interest ... I by no means can…

GLC00194

February 15, 1777

Ellery, William, 1727-1820

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nicholas Cooke

William Ellery voices concern about the financing of the national debt and the issuance of paper money. He has found in Congress some interest in naval defense. The American army is at Morristown and the British army is at Brunswick. There have been skirmishes. In one, the Americans would have defeated the enemy if not for the cowardice of Colonel Buckner, possibly Mordecai Buckner of Virginia. In another, the Colonial Commandant of the British was killed. Comments that their army on the east side of the Hudson has had to retire to White Plains because of the inclement weather. Comments on a…

GLC00202

1774 - 1788

United States. Continental Congress.

Header Record

Title: Journals of Congress [decimalized]

Set lacks vol. 4. Vol. 2 (Philadelphia, 1776) includes the Declaration of Independence.

GLC00219

1777

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journals of Congress. Containing the proceedings from Sept. 5. 1774

Evans 15683. Reprint edition (per dealer); bookplates of John Rutherfurd in all vols but v.1

GLC00219.01

1777

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journals of Congress. Containing the proceedings in the year, 1776

Strand of blond hair originally laid-in p.296-297 now in paper folder in back.

GLC00219.02

1782

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journal of Congress. Containing the proceedings from January 1, 1779

Evans 17766

GLC00219.05

1780-1789

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Resolutions, acts and orders of Congress, for the year 1780 : volume VI

Journals of Congress. Evans 20079

GLC00219.06

1782-83

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journal of the United States in Congress assembled...

Evans 18266

GLC00219.08

1783-84

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journal of the United States in Congress assembled...

Evans 18840 (listing xviii p. in index for xxvi p.)

GLC00219.09

1784

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journal of the United States in Congress assembled...

Evans 19316

GLC00219.10

[July 1785-86]

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journal of the United States in Congress assembled... Vol. XI [sic]

Vol. 11 but misprinted on titlepage as XII.

GLC00219.11

1787

United States. Continental Congress.

Book

Title: Journal of the United States in Congress assembled...

Evans 20772

GLC00219.12

16 March 1778

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Printed document signed

Title: [Partially printed document authorizing the forcible capture of British vessels]

This document serves as a form by which Continental Congress authorizes the seizure of British ships and crew members in a warlike manner. Originally signed by Hancock during his term as President of the Congress (24 May 1775- 31 October 1777). This particular document authorizes Ebenezer Williams, Commander of the Polly, to seize British vessels. States that the Polly is owned by Andrew Caldwell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Signed at the bottom by William Mumford, a Secretary, and Rhode Island Governor Nicholas Cooke. Williams' name and other information appear to have been filled…

GLC00231

April 18, 1775

Clymer, George, 1739-1813

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Committee of Correspondence of the County of Berks

Also signed by Joseph Reed, John Cadwalader, Thomas Mifflin, Jonathan B. Smith, John Benezet, James Mease, John Nixon, and Samuel Meredith. Circular to the committees of Pennsylvania encouraging the formation of military associations in each county; this letter was sent to Berks County. This is an answer to the letter of Berks County from April 15, 1775. Says now that "Ministerial violence" - meaning attacks by British troops under Parliament's orders - has occurred they need to act and not deliberate. Says their "despotic" intentions are "beyond doubt." Says word came that the Houses of…

GLC00496.022

February 12, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: [Resolution to Colonel Anthony Wayne]

Transcribed by Charles Thomson Secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774-1788. Resolve requesting all colonels of the Pennsylvania battalions to send a report detailing the number condition of the enlisted men as well as the places where they are now and their rank. This specific order was sent to Colonel Anthony Wayne. Signed By Hancock, President of the Continental Congress.

GLC00496.031

1783-1815

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph note signed

Title: to unknown

Fragment from a longer letter with only the signature and postscript remaining. Postscript discusses surgeons in Philadelphia recommended by delegates of the Continental Congress. "Mr. Palmer" is visible on verso.

GLC00496.107

October 24, 1775

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

May have been source for Declaration of Independence's list. Cosigned by George Wythe and Silas Deane, with an autograph manuscript signed copy of the resolution signed by Charles Thomson. Also, discusses compiling British hostilities. The letter was with congressional resolve.

GLC00505.01

18 October 1775

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824

Autograph document signed

Title: Congressional resolve to appoint committee to compile list of hostilities

Appointed John Adams, Silas Deane and George Wythe to the committee.

GLC00505.02

June 4, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Letter signed

Title: to the Convention of Maryland

Written by Hancock as President of the Continental Congress. Begins by saying "Our affairs are hastening fast to a Crisis; and the approaching Campaign will in all Probability, determine for ever the Fate of America." Says the King and Parliament has left no measure unemployed to accomplish their destruction. Says they are blockading the coast and about to pour in foreign troops. Says the affairs in Canada have "a melancholy Aspect" to them. Says it is likely the colonies will have to deal with Canada and the northern Indians as well as Great Britain. Sends resolves of Congress (not included…

GLC00639.12

July 6, 1776

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Cooper

Enclosing the Declaration of Independence, with personal notes to his friend and description of sabotage of a captured American ship. Cooper was town clerk of Boston. Also, discusses military matters.

GLC00595