185. The Activities of the Continental Congress (1775)
BY DELEGATE RICHARD SMITH
Smith had been for years clerk of the New Jersey House of Representatives, and was a delegate from New Jersey to the first and second Continental Congresses. —Bibliography of Congress: Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI, 107-109; Frothingham, Rise of the Republic, ch. ix; Curtis, History of the Constitution, I, ch. ii; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 137. — Compare with earlier Congresses, Nos. 125, 141, 153 above.
TUESDAY, 12 September 1775. I attended at Congress for the first Time since the Adjornment. Mr Hancock having a Touch of the Gout there was no President in the Chair. The Colonies of New Hampshire and N Carolina absent as also sundry Members from other Colonies. Dr Franklin read several Letters recieved today by Capt Falkner from London and informed the Members that he had some Bales of Household Goods on Board of Falkner, desiring the Congress's Leave to land them, no Objection to it only Willing and John Rutledge thought it irregular to do Business without a President and it was referred. Mr Gadsden and others moved for an Adjornment to 10 Tomorrow, which was complyed with. 3 of the Georgia Delegates were present with Mr Peyton Randolph and the new Delegates from Virginia, their Credentials not yet delivered, and little Business hitherto done this session.
Wednesday 13th. Mr President (Hancock) in the Chair. The Credentials of the Georgia, Virginia and Maryland Delegates were read and accepted without any Objection, the Marylanders were the same as at the last Session. An Order was made that the Pennsa Delegates shall send off to Gen. Washington under a proper Guard, the remainder of his Money amounting in the whole to 700,000 Dollars, and they were at the same Time to send the Cloathing for Two Regiments lately seized at Philada. Duane and Rob. R. Livingston came today from the Indian Treaty at Albany, another Treaty is about to be held at Pittsburg. Dr Franklins Goods allowed to be landed, a great Number of Letters and Papers were read, some from Gen. Washington giving a particular State of his Army they want Powder and Money — some from Gen. Schuyler stating his Situation ; others from Col. Lewis Morris and Jas Wilson Dated at Fort Pitt recommending an Expedition agt Detroit to be conducted by Col. Arthur St. Clair — others from Gov. Trumbull and sundry more.
