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Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress, Held at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774. Philadelphia: William Bradford and Thomas Bradford, 1774. 132 pp., 4? x 7? in. This first edition of the Journal of the First Continental Congress has a title page that bears a seal designed for the United Colonies. It shows a pillar held by twelve hands representing the twelve participating colonies (Georgia did not send delegates), topped with a Liberty Cap, resting on the Magna Charta, and framed by the Latin motto "Hanc Tuemur, Hac Nitimur" ("This we defend, by this we are protected"). This seal, never officially adopted, was the first attempt to represent a united nation emblematically. Historical BackgroundWhen it convened in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774, the First Continental Congress discussed how best to respond to the threats to English liberty in the actions of British governors, military officers, and ministers. Prominent delegates included Samuel Adams, John Adams, Roger Sherman, John Jay, Joseph Galloway, John Dickinson, Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, George Washington, Edmund Pendleton, and Henry Middleton. The delegates elected Peyton Randolph of Virginia as president and Charles Thomson of Philadelphia as secretary.On October 1, the Congress resolved unanimously to prepare a "loyal address" to King George III, "dutifully requesting the royal attention to the grievances that alarm and distress his Majesty's faithful subjects in North-America, and entreating his Majesty's gracious interposition for the removal of such grievances" (p47).On October 11, 1774, the Continental Congress resolved unanimously that "a memorial be prepared for the people of British America, stating to them the necessity of a firm, united, and invariable observation of the measures recommended by the Congress, as they tender the invaluable rights and liberties derived to them from the laws and constitution of their country" (p57). They also decided to prepare an address to the people of Great Britain and to send letters to the people of Quebec, St. John's, Nova Scotia, Georgia, and East and West Florida, "who have not Deputies to represent them in this Congress" (p113).This volume includes these important early resolutions, memorials, and letters:Resolution Not to Import from Great Britain or Ireland, September 27 (p46);Resolution Not to Export to Great Britain, Ireland, or the West Indies, September 3 (p46)0;Letter from Congress to General Thomas Gage, October 10 (p54-56);The Plan of Association, October 20 (p68-77);Address to the People of Great Britain, October 21 (p78-92);Address to the Inhabitants of These Colonies, October 21 (p93-113);Letter to the Colonies of St. John's, Nova Scotia, Georgia, and East and West Florida, October 22 (p114-115); andLetter to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebec, October 26 (p118-131).Before adjourning on October 26, the First Continental Congress agreed on October 22 to reassemble on May 10, 1775, for the Second Continental Congress that ultimately broke with England.On November 7, the Connecticut Courant reported November 3 news from New York of the Continental Congress: "The World has hardly ever seen any Assembly that had matters of greater Consequence before them; were better qualified for the high Trust reposed in them; executed it in a more faithful, judicious and effectual manner, or were more free and unanimous in their Conclusions, than this. We hear the Journal of their whole proceedings, is in the press at Philadelphia, and in a few Days may be expected."[1] The Bradfords announced that the Journal was "Just Published and to be Sold" in the November 30 issue of their newspaper, The Pennsylvania Journal.[2] By the end of the year, it was reprinted in Boston, Hartford, New London, Newport, New York, Providence, Albany, Annapolis, Lancaster, Newbern, Norwich, Williamsburg, and even London. A German translation was published in Philadelphia.Interestingly, thi. (See website for full description).
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