Journals of the Continental Congress

Second Continental Congress: June 27, 1775

June 27, 1775

How to conduct a war with Britain is the top priority today and Major General Schuyler, New York, and Canada are the focus of attention. The Report of the Committee appointed on June 3 to draw up an Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain is read.  [The Report was revisited on July 6-8] John Adams emphasizes the need for powder and Benjamin Franklin writes to John Sargent that “We shall give you one opportunity more of recovering our affections and retaining the connection; and I fear it will be the last.”

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

Resolved, That Governor Philip Skene be sent under a guard to Connecticut, confined on his parole, and not to go out of the bounds prescribed to him by Governor Trumbull.  Ordered, That the Delegates for Pennsylvania execute the above resolve.

A letter from the Convention of Massachusetts, dated 20th. June, together with several other letters were laid before the Congress and read.

Congress resumed the consideration of the letter from Albany, and after some debate the Congress came to several resolutions involving Major General P. Schuyler.  He travel to the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown point, examine the state of the troops, how they are supplied with provision and necessary stores, and to obtain the best intelligence he can of the disposition of the Canadians and Indians of Canada. That he confer with Colonel Hinman and Colonel Arnold, concerning Arnold’s letter to Congress, and report, as soon as possible, the state of the whole. And that he give orders for the necessary preparation of boats and stores for securing to the United Colonies the command of those waters adjacent to Crown point and Ticonderoga.

Resolved, That as Governor Carleton is preparing to invade these colonies and is instigating the Indian Nations to take up the Hatchet against them, Major General Schuyler exert his utmost power to destroy or take all vessels, boats or floating batteries, on or near the waters of the lakes.

Resolved, That General Schuyler he pursue measures in Canada which may have a tendency to promote the peace and security of these Colonies.

Resolved, that General Schuyler may apply to the Governor of Connecticut for extra supplies as may be necessary and that Governor Trumbull furnish such supplies, and that this Congress will make provision for reimbursing the same.

The Committee appointed to draw up an address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, reported the same, which was read.

Resolved, That this Congress will tomorrow resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of America.

Adjourned till to Morrow at 9 o’Clock.

John Adams to James Warren

I have suffered infinitely this time, from ill health, and blind eyes at a time when, a vast variety of great objects were crowding upon my mind, and when my dear country was suffering all the Calamities of Famine, Pestilence, Fire, and Sword at once.

We do as well as we can.  I must leave it to some future opportunity, which I have a charming confidence will certainly come, to inform you fully of the History of our Debates and Resolutions.

Last Saturday night at Eleven O’Clock, an express arrived from the worthy Governor Trumbull, informing of the Battle of Charleston.  A hundred Gentlemen flocked to our lodgings to hear the news. At one O’Clock Hancock, Samuel Adams and myself went out to inquire after the Committee of this City, in order to beg some Powder.  We found some of them, and these with great politeness, and sympathy for their brave brethren in the Massachusetts agreed, to go that night and send forward about Ninety Quarter Casks, and before morning it was in motion.  Between two and three O Clock I got to bed.

We are contriving every way we can think of to get you Powder.  We have a Number of Plans for making Salt Petre and Gentlemen here are very confident, that we shall be able to furnish Salt Petre and powder of our own manufacture, and that very soon. A method of making it, will be published very soon by one of our Committees….

We have passed some Resolutions concerning North Carolina, which will do a great deal of good. We have allowed them to raise 1000 Men.

Benjamin Franklin to John Sargent (former director of the Bank of England)

We shall give you one opportunity more of recovering our affections and retaining the connection; and I fear it will be the last.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.

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