Second Continental Congress: December 9, 1775

Congress receives three committee reports and creates a new committee. James Duane is discouraged about the future: “any Prospect of Reconciliation…is at present too distant and uncertain.”

Link to date-related documents

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to fit out armed vessels be empowered to employ eight types of officers, and that their pay be designated.

Resolved, That an order be issued to raise four battalions in the colony of Pennsylvania, and one battalion in Delaware on the same terms as that already raised.

Congress considered the letters from General Schuyler, from 11th November, and came to several resolutions including one that appointed General Montgomery a Major General.

Resolved, That the several letters from General Schuyler, with the enclosures, with one exception, be committed to a committee of three. The members chosen: John Dickinson, Thomas M’Kean, and George Wythe.

The Committee of Claims reported, that there are three claims due.

The Commissioners for Indian affairs in the middle department, presented their report.

Ordered, That the same be considered on Wednesday next.

Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for taking into consideration the instructions to the delegates of Rhode Island.

Adjourned to 10 o’Clock on Monday.

James Duane to Cornelius Duane (Younger Brother)

When I assure you that I have spent but one Night at home since the beginning of May, and that to comply with the Injunctions of my Countrymen I have been obliged to sacrifice all domestic Happiness and my private affairs-and if you add to the account the nature of the Business in which I am engaged, I hope you will find some apology for my Inattention to you….

I can form no opinion when the Congress will rise. Their proceedings down to the 1st of August are published which will be some gratification to your curiosity. I long impatiently to be released from an expensive and distressing affair, and hope soon to obtain my Quietus. My friends are importunate for my continuance in it while there is any Prospect of Reconciliation; but this is at present too distant and uncertain to Give me Encouragement, or keep up my spirits while I suffer a painful exclusion from the society of my Family and Friends.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.