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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1775
The congress met according to adjournment.
The committee, to whom the letter from the convention of New York was referred, brought in their report, which being read,
Resolved, That the thanks of this congress be given to the convention of New York, for their vigilance in the case of Capt. Coffin's vessel, and that it be recommended
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to them that the vessel be unloaded, and the cargo safely stored, until all just suspicions, concerning the destination of it, shall be removed.
Ordered, That this be transmitted, by the Prest., in a letter to the chairman of the convention of New York.
Agreeable to the order of the day, the Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the ways and means of raising money and the state of America; after some time spent therein the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Samuel] Ward reported, that the committee had come to certain resolutions, which they desired him to report, but not having yet come to a conclusion ordered him to move for leave to sit again.
The report of the committee being read and debated,
Resolved, That a General be appointed to command all the continental forces, raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty.
That five hundred dollars, per month, be allowed for his pay and expences.
The Congress then proceeded to the choice of a general, ∥by ballot,∥ when George Washington, Esq. was unanimously elected.1
[Note 1: 1 These resolutions were printed in the Pennsylvania Packet, 11 December, 1775. Washington was nominated by Thomas Johnson of Maryland, and the election was unanimous. The attitude of the Congress and the causes leading to this choice are fully described in the Diary and later correspondence of John Adams.]
Resolved, that the Congress will to Morrow again resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into consideration the state of America.
Adjourned till to Morrow ∥at eight o'clock.∥
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