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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 --MONDAY MAY 20, 1776
Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnett, Esquires two of the delegates from Georgia, attended, and produced the credentials of their appointment; which were read as follows:
In Provincial Congress, Savannah, February 2d, 1776.
Resolved, That five persons be elected to represent this Province in the Continental Congress, for the Term of nine Months.
Resolved, That it be recommended, that three of the Delegates do proceed, with all possible despatch, to Philadelphia, and that they be a Quorum: Provided, nevertheless, that in case three shall not attend, by Sickness or otherwise, one or more of the Delegates being present, shall be competent to represent this Province, notwithstanding.
The Congress proceeded to ballot for the Election of Delegates, when, on closing the Poll, it appeared that Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, Lyman Hall, Button Gwinnett, and George Walton, Esqrs. were duly elected; and were accordingly declared as fit persons to represent this Province in the Grand Continental Congress.
A true Copy:Edward Langworthy,Secretary.1
[Note 1: 1 Among the miscellaneous manuscripts in the Library of Congress is the letter of instructions sent to Lyman Hall. It reads as follows:
"To Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, Lyman Hall, Button Gwinnett and George Walton, Esquires, or to such of them, who shall repair to and join the Congress at Philadelphia.
Gentlemen,
"Our remote Situation from both the Seat of Power and Arms, keep us so very ignorant of the Counsels and ultimate designs of the Congress, and of the Transactions in the Field, that we shall decline giving you any particular instructions, other than strongly to recommend it to you, that you never lose sight of the peculiar situation in the Province you are appointed to represent. The Indians both South and North-westardly upon our backs, the fortified Town of Saint Augustine made a continual Rendezvous for Soldiers in our very Neighbourhood, together with our blacks and tories within us. Let these weighty truths be the powerful Arguments for support. At the same time we also recommend it to you, always to keep in view the general Utility, remembering that the Great and Righteous Cause in which we are engaged is not Provincial but Continental.
"We therefore, Gentlemen, shall rely upon your Patriotism, Abilities, Firmness and Integrity, to propose, join and concur in all such measures as you shall think calculated for the common good, and to oppose such as shall appear destructive.
"By Order of the Congress,
"Archd Bulloch, President.
"Savannah, 5th April, 1776."
Addressed "Lyman Hall, Esquire, at his plantation, St. Johns."]
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A letter from General Lee, dated Williamsburg, 10 May with three papers enclosed, was laid before Congress, and read:1
[Note 1: 1 This letter is in thePapers of the Continental Congress, No. 158, folio 59.]
Resolved, That the said letter with the papers enclosed be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. R[ichard] H[enry] Lee, Mr. [James] Wilson, Mr. [Arthur] Middleton, Mr. [Robert Treat] Paine, and Mr. [Oliver] Wolcott.
Certain resolutions of the convention of South Carolina, respecting the batallions raised in that colony; and also, certain resolutions passed by the assembly of said colony, respecting the manner in which commissioners, coming from England, are to be received and treated in that colony, were laid before Congress, and read.
Resolved, That the resolutions respecting the batallions raised in the colony of South Carolina, be referred to a committee of five:
The members chosen, Mr. John Adams, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [William] Floyd, Mr. W[illiam] Livingston, and Mr. [John] Morton.
The proceedings of the Committee of Secret Correspondence which were laid before Congress, were this day read under the injunction of secresy.
The Congress then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into their farther consideration the state of the United Colonies; and, after some time, the president resumed the chair, and Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison reported, that the committee have had under their farther consideration the matter to them referred; but, not having had time to go through the necessary enquiries, desired him to move for leave to sit again to morrow.
Resolved, That this Congress will, to morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to take into
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their farther consideration the state of the United Colonies.
Resolved, That Mr. [Edward] Rutledge, at his request, be discharged from serving on the Marine Committee, and that Mr. [Arthur] Middleton be a member of said committee in his stead.
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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