Second Continental Congress: September 16, 1775

Two New Hampshire delegates arrive.  John Adams and John Dickinson are on neither “speaking Terms, nor bowing Terms.”

Link to date-related documents.

Journals of the Continental Congress [Edited]

The 2 Delegates from New Hampshire arrive.  Josiah Bartlett, who replaced John Sullivan (now in the Army,) and John Langdon were chosen to represent New Hampshire and “that either of them, in the absence of the other, have full Power to Represent this Colony at said Congress.”

Congress resumed a paragraph by paragraph consideration of numbers 4, 5, and 6 of the letters from General Washington and, further debate was deferred until Monday.

Thomas McKean presented reimbursement obligations for Michael Hillegas and George Cylmer, the two joint treasurers for the United Colonies.

Resolved, That Congress will, on Wednesday next, take into consideration the state of the trade of America.

Adjourned until 9 o’Clock on Monday.

John Adams’s Diary

Walking to the Statehouse this Morning, I met Mr. Dickinson, on Foot in Chestnut Street. We met, and passed near enough to touch Elbows. He passed without moving his Hat, or Head or Hand. I bowed and pulled off my Hat. He passed haughtily by. The Cause of his Offence, is the Letter no doubt which Gage has printed in Drapers Paper. [See Adams’s letter to James Warren, July 24, 1775.]  I shall for the future pass him, in the same manner. But I was determined to make my Bow, that I might know his Temper.  We are not to be upon speaking Terms, nor bowing Terms, for the time to come.

Edited with commentary by Gordon Lloyd.