CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. THE DEBATES IN 1776 ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, AND ON A FEW OF THE June 7th, 1776.-The Delegates from Virginia move that Congress declare the United Colonies free and independent States, 9. June 8th. Arguments against a declaration of independence, 10;-For it, 12;-Result of the Debate, 12;-A Committee appointed to prepare a Declaration of Independence, 16;-Proceedings of the House thereon, 17, 18;-The Declaration of Independence, 19-27. July 12th.-Committee appointed to draw the Articles of Confederation report, 27;-Debate on Article XI.-Mr. Chase, 28;- Mr. John Adams, 29;-Mr. Harrison, 30;-Mr. Wilson, 31;-Mr. Payne, Dr. Witherspoon, Vote on Division, 32;-Debate on Article XVII, July 30th, 31st, and August 1st-Mr. Chase, 33-Dr. Franklin, ib.-Dr. Alarming situation of public affairs-Financial means described— Incursions of the Indians in New York, &c.-Military information Return of Clinton with part of the Southern Army to New York- Critical situation of General Washington-Patriotic scheme of the opulent Merchants of Philadelphia. TO EDMUND PENDLETON. Philadelphia, Septem- ber, 12, 1780 50 Congress have entered on a plan for finally ratifiying the Confeder- Discussions in Congress on the resolutions left by him-The Ver- Uneasiness occasioned by the disappointment of foreign suc- Feeling in Congress relative to the British treatment of the cap- TO EDMUND PENDLETON. Philadelphia, Novem- ber 7, 1780 58 Charges of Dr. Lee and Mr. Izard against Dr. Franklin-Requisi- State emissions of currency the bane of every salutary arrange- Suggestions for legislation in Virginia-Depreciation of State emis- sions-The policy Virginia should pursue relative to a territorial Suggests the liberation of slaves to make soldiers-Has enclosed to the governor a copy of the act of Connecticut ceding her terri- torial claims to the United States-The association of merchants Letters received from Mr. Jay and Mr. Carmichael—their tenor, Colonel Laurens appointed Envoy-Extraordinary to France-Mr. cessor. The complexion of the intelligence from Spain renders it necessary Regrets that the Assembly had not taken up the subject of the Arnold's incursion into Virginia-Further information relative to Copy of a letter [from General WASHINGTON] to FERSON 81 Suggests the necessity of enlarging the powers of Congress, and The stores intended for Virginia had arrived at Philadelphia, and Encloses the report of the Committee of Congress recommending coercive measures against such States as refuse to abide by the determination of Congress, and discusses the importance of such Case of a vessel captured within North Carolina-Attempts to obtain from Congress a decision on the cession of Virginia-A communication from the French Minister-The Vermont Question Sends a copy of the [State] Constitutions printed by Congress. The discussion in Congress of proposed duty on trade. C |