First Continental Congress: September 14, 1774

Six additional delegates arrive.  Once again, Congress adjourned early and agreed to meet again on Saturday the 14th. But John Adams informs Abigail Adams and William Tudor, off the record, that he is busy from morning until night and is optimistic about the future: “A Tory here is the most despicable Animal in the Creation.”

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, from North Carolina, attended and produced their credentials.  They were both appointed to the First Committee and Hooper also to the Second Committee.  Richard Caswell was also chosen, but was absent on September 14. Henry Wisner and John Alsop from New York took their seats as did George Ross from Pennsylvania.

“No business being prepared, the Congress was adjourned from day to day, till Saturday morning, at 9 o’ Clock.”

John Adams to Abigail Adams

I have written but once to you since I left you. This is to be imputed to a Variety of Causes, which I cannot explain for Want of Time. It would fill Volumes to give you an exact Idea of the whole Tour. My Time is to totally filled from the Moment I get out of Bed, until I return to it. Visits, Ceremonies, Company, Business, Newspapers, Pamphlets &c. &c. &c.

The Congress will, to all present Appearance be well united and in such Measures, I hope will give Satisfaction to the Friends of our Country.

A Tory here is the most despicable Animal in the Creation. Spiders, Toads, Snakes, are their only proper Emblems. The Massachusetts Councillors, and Addressers are held in curious Esteem here, as you will see. The Spirit, the Firmness, the Prudence of our Province are vastly applauded, and We are universally acknowledged the Saviors and Defenders of American Liberty.

The Designs, and Plans of the Congress, must not be communicated, until completed, and We shall move with great Deliberation.

When I shall come home I know not, but at present I don’t expect to take my Leave of this City these four Weeks.

John Adams to William Tudor (Massachusetts Attorney)

I have been so totally taken up, that I don’t know whether I have acknowledged your Agreable Letters or not….

You cannot conceive the Esteem and Honour in which the Mass. is held here.
While I write this, the Gentlemen Delegates are all around me reading your Newspapers. I hear them all around me praising and admiring. By (God) g-d says one, I don’t believe there is such a People in the World!–another Answers him, I really don’t think there is so fine a People upon the Globe–So cool, So cautious, so prudent, and yet So unalterably determined….

[I] have not Time to write a Line. Yet I will give you a remembrancer when I can.
The Congress are well united–but all is secret as yet. We shall do tolerably well.
As Choice a Collection as North America can afford, I will answer for it.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.