Second Continental Congress: October 26, 1775

Congress publishes several resolutions, creates new committees, and continues to meet in the Committee of the Whole to discuss the state of trade. John Jay notes that New York just meets the quorum requirement and Benjamin Franklin writes about the regulation of the Post Offices.

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

Resolved, That the July 15th resolution of Congress for encouraging the importation of arms and ammunition, and the resolution of July 18th for collecting an account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial troops and navy, be immediately published, with this amendment, to expunge the word “provisions” and instead insert “the produce of these colonies,” and dispersed through the different nations of Europe and through the W. I. Islands.

Resolved, That Congress recommend to the Convention of New York immediately to take possession of the blankets and shirts in the King’s Stores in New York, and forward as many as may be necessary to General Schuyler for the use of the army under his command.

Resolved, That a Committee of Three– Silas Deane, Samuel Adams, and James Duane–be appointed to consider the letter from the Convention of New York, dated 20th October, and report an answer.

Ordered, That the Virginia delegates send an Express to inquire whether it is true that a mineral containing a large quantity of salt petre has been discovered in Virginia,

Resolved, That a Committee of Five–John Rutledge, John Adams, Samuel Ward, Richard Henry Lee, and Roger Sherman–be appointed to consider the instruction given to the delegates of the Colony of New Hampshire, and report their opinion.

Ordered, That the resolution of 18th October respecting the obtaining an accurate account of the hostilities committed by the ministerial troops and navy, be published in the newspapers.

Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to further consider the state of the trade of the confederated Colonies, and after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Samuel Ward reported that they have come to a resolution.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several provincial Assemblies, conventions, or councils of safety, of the United Colonies, to export to the foreign West Indies as much provision or any other produce, except horned cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry, as they may deem necessary for the importation of arms, ammunition, sulphur, and salt petre. 

Ordered, That a copy of the above be transmitted by the delegates to their respective Assemblies, conventions, or Committees of Safety.

Adjourned to 10 o’Clock tomorrow.

Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Greenleaf

Mr. Goddard, appointed Riding Surveyor to the General Post-Office, is on his Way, settling the Post Offices from Philadelphia Eastward. He will probably be here in a few days, and has Instructions for Regulating everything relating to them. I think it will be right for the Committee to receive and pay all to the End of the last Quarter; and let the present Quarter, commencing with this Month, be on Account of the General Post Office. I should be glad however to know from you, the Amount of the Receipts, and of the Disbursements, while the Offices were under the Direction of the Committee; which if you please you may send me at your convenient Leisure.

John Jay to Sarah Jay

Since Mr. Philip Livingston & Mr. Lewis left us, the number of our Delegates here does not exceed that which is necessary to represent the Province, so that I shall not be able to leave this Town a Day till one of those Gentlemen return. Colonel Morris has not yet returned from Fort Pitt.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.