Second Continental Congress: May 12, 1775

Silas Deane tells his wife 1) about his journey to Philadelphia, 2) that “Galloway is fled,” and 3) that the absence of the Rhode Island delegates is holding up the work of Congress.

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

The Congress met according to adjournment, and adjourned until tomorrow at 10 o’Clock.

Silas Deane to Elizabeth Deane

The delay of the Rhode Island Delegates as to coming up prevents Our entering at once, deeply on Business, but You may depend all will be well, that is if I may Judge from Appearance, but believe Nothing You hear reported of Us, for Our doings will not be published but by Authority of the Whole. The scenes before us are so vast, That I can give no kind of Judgement as to The Term We Shall be detained here, and I tremble when I think of their vast importance –may the God of Wisdom presided Mr. Duche made a most pathetic, & pertinent prayer at Our Opening–President and Secretary the same as before.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.