Diary of John Adams, volume 3
Wednesday June 5th. 1776. Congress took into Consideration the report of the Committee of the whole; whereupon resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to consider what is proper to be done with Persons giving Intelligence to the Ennemy or supplying them with provisions.
The Members chosen Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Wilson and Mr. R. Livingston.1
Resolved that Robert Hanson Harrison Esq. have the Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Continental Army. The Generals Secretary as I suppose. Joseph Reed Esqr. was elected Adjutant General.
Later called “the Committee on Spies.” It reported on 24 June and again on 29 July (
JCC
, 5:475, 616), but its most important action was the revision of the Articles of War, assigned to it on 14 June and dealt with in Congress during August and September; see the entries of 19 Aug., 20 Sept. in JA's Autobiography, below.
Fryday June 7th. 1776. Certain Resolutions respecting Independency being moved and seconded. Resolved That the Consideration of them be referred till tomorrow morning; and that the members be enjoyned to attend punctually at ten O Clock, in order to take the same into their consideration.
It will naturally be enquired why these Resolutions and the Names of the Gentlemen who moved and seconded them, were not inserted in the Journals? To this question I can give no other Answer than this. Mr. Hancock was President, Mr. Harrison Chairman of the Committee of the whole House. Mr. Thompson the Secretary was cousin to Mr. Dickinson. And Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. John Adams1 were no favourites of either.2
Here several words follow which have been heavily inked out, doubtless by the diarist. The best guess for them is “and Mr. Adams Principles,” but the last word is utterly conjectural.
But see p. 365, note
Saturday June 8. 1776. Resolved that the Resolutions respecting Independency be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress. Mr. Harrison reported no Resolution. Leave to sit again.
Monday June 10. 1776. Committee of the whole. Mr. Harrison reported a Resolution. The Resolution agreed to in the Committee of the whole Congress being read,
Resolved that the Consideration of the first resolution be postponed to the first day of July next; and in the mean while, that no time be lost in Case the Congress agree thereto, that a Committee be appointed to prepare a declaration to the effect of the first Resolution, which is in these Words, “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent States; that they are absolved, from all Allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connection be-393tween them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved.”