Attended: Nov. 19 (?), 1776; Dec. 12, 1776; Feb. 17 to (?), 1777; Apr. 8 (or earlier) to May 5, 1777; Nov. 5 (or earlier) to Dec. 24 (?), 1777.

Rumsey states in his letter of Dec. 19 (no. 248) that he did not take his seat in Congress until Dec. 12 (that is, the day Congress adjourned from Philadelphia); nevertheless it seems quite probable that he was one of the two delegates mentioned in the Journals as attending Nov. 19. This seems to be the only reasonable interpretation of Chase's statement at the close of his letter of Nov. 21 (no. 219). Chase himself was of course one of the two, and the other would have to be Paca, Tilghman, Charles Carroll (Barrister), or Rumsey. It was not Paca, because he did not arrive until Nov. 21 (see Chase's letter). So far as anything appears to the contrary, other than Chase's statement, it might have been either Tilghman or Carroll, both of whom were in their seats early in December, although it is not known just when either of them attended. If either of them had, however, been in attendance Nov. 21, Chase would most probably have mentioned the fact. He mentions only Rumsey, and he speaks of him as if he were in attendance. Rumsey had, in fact, been in Philadelphia since October (that is, some time prior to his election; see no. 191, n. 3, and no. 221), and, although serving on a special mission on behalf of his state, was nevertheless regarded by Chase as one of the state's delegation. Even though he may not have appeared on the floor of Congress, nevertheless he was in such intimate conference with the members that it is quite possible that the secretary regarded him as a delegate in attendance, and wrote accordingly "two of them attending", when the credentials were produced. Rumsey did not follow Congress to Baltimore (see Arch. of Md., XII. 549, 559) until his re-election Feb. 15, 1777: He was given a committee appointment Feb. 17, although the credentials of the new appointment were not produced in Congress until the next day. He may have departed again immediately because of the news just received (see the Journals, Feb. 17) that the enemy meditated a descent upon the Eastern Shore. At all events no trace of him is found in the Journals until Apr. 13, when he is appointed on a committee, but his presence as early as Apr. 8 is shown by a letter of that date from Smith and Rumsey to Gov. Livingston (N. J. Řev. Corr., p. 50). From that time until he obtained leave of absence, May 5, his attendance is well attested both by the Journals and and by his letters (see nos. 443, 463, 468, 470; also the letter of May 3, in Arch. of Md., XVI. 239: "I only wait for the arrival of Mr. Paca to decamp "). He was for some time thereafter in the field (see ibid., pp. 279, 342, 370). Chase says in his letter of Oct. 10 (no. 679) that Rumsey had agreed to relieve him, and Chase took his departure between Oct. 16 and 23. Rumsey is recorded in the Journals as voting Nov. 5; but as no yeas and nays are recorded between Oct. 31 and Nov. 5 he may have taken his seat as early as Nov. 1. He seems pretty certainly to have been in attendance until Dec. 24 (see the Journals). No Maryland delegates appear in the record of yeas and nays Dec. 27, and as Rumsey was left out in the election of Dec. 22 (the credentials are in the Journals of Jan. 17, 1778) he probably withdrew as soon as he learned the results of that election (see also under William Smith). William Smith.

Elected: Feb. 15, 1777.

Attended: Feb. 18 (?)-27 (?), 1777; Apr. 2 (?) to May 5 (?), 1777; July 5 (or earlier) to Sept. 18, 1777; Oct. 4 (or earlier) to Dec. 19 (or later), 1777.

The appointment of "Mr. Smith" on a committee Jan. 16, 1777, is assigned by the editor of the Journals to William Smith, whereas it was James Smith of Pennsylvania. William Smith of Maryland had not as yet been elected a delegate to Congress. The Journals do not record his attendance until Feb. 20 (a committee appointment), but he probably attended Feb. 18, when the new credentials were presented (cf. the note under Rumsey). He received another committee appointment Feb. 22, and is not mentioned again in the Journals until Apr. 18. It is presumed that he remained in attendance until the adjournment of Congress from Baltimore, for, although it appears that no Maryland delegate was present Feb. 24 (see no. 380, and the note under

Paca), the state was represented Feb. 26 and 27 (see nos. 384, 385, 387; also the Journals, Feb. 26), and the probabilities favor the attendance of Smith rather than that of Paca (in addition to Chase). Although the Journals do not again record the presence of Smith until Apr. 18 (a committee appointment), it seems probable that he was in attendance Apr. 2, for Roger Sherman mentions him in connection with a committee assignment, and, although the committee had been appointed Feb. 20, the committee (Sherman, Gerry, and Smith) must have been in consultation at that time (see no. 423). That he was present Apr. 8 is shown by a letter from Smith and Rumsey to Gov. Livingston (N. J. Rev. Corr., p. 50). Moreover, John Adams mentions Apr. 8 (no. 431. n. 5) and Sherman Apr. 9 (no. 431) that every state was then represented (see also under Rumsey). Smith also received committee appointments Apr. 19 and 29, and he probably took his departure about May 5, when Paca and Carroll of Carrollton took their seats. His presence is not again recorded until July 5, when he was appointed on the commercial committee. His signature to a copy of a letter of that committee June 12 probably came about in the same manner as that of Laurens (see no. 516, n. 3). The Journals show his attendance until Aug. 27 (yeas and nays), and letters of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Sept. 7 and 8 (Life of Carroll, I. 215, 216), indicate that Smith had remained in attendance until about that time. His name is not however among the yeas and nays Sept. (the next recorded after Aug. 27), but appears again Sept. 16. When Congress adjourned to Lancaster, Sept. 18, he evidently went home (see Carroll's letter of Sept. 27, Life, I. 219) but was again in Congress (at Yorktown) Oct. 4 (Journals), and the Journals show his attendance until (probably) Dec. 19. It should be noted here that it was William Smith, not Jonathan Bayard, who was added to the board of war Nov. 17; therefore those reports of the board of war presented Nov. 25, Dec. 6, 13, 19 (pp. 966, 1006, 1008, 1026, 1037), credited in the foot-notes and in the index to Jonathan Bayard Smith, probably appertain to William Smith. For the explanation see the note under Jonathan Bayard Smith. William Smith was not present at a meeting of the board of war Dec. 20 (see the Journals), and no Maryland delegate is recorded as voting Dec. 27. He may have withdrawn about Dec. 24, upon learning that he had been left out of the delegation chosen Dec. 22.

William Smith signed the resolution of secrecy (see vol. I., no. 363, n. 2) next after Thomas Burke, which indicates that he probably appended his signature during his attendance in February, although he may not have signed until April.

Thomas Stone.

Elected: (See vol. I.); May 21, 1776; July 4, 1776; Nov. 10, 1776; Feb. 15, 1777.

Attended: (See vol. I.); July 5 to Oct. 22 (?), 1776.

Stone's attendance in Congress until Oct. 10, or later, is well attested by the Journals, his letters, etc. Besides the letter of July 12 (no. 15; see also under Paca), and nos. 85, 109,, note 3, and 223, see Arch. of Md., XII. 93, 105, 110, 146, 199, 258, 291, 311 (cf. the notes under Chase, Paca, and Johnson). In a letter of Aug. 13 he says: "I intend to leave this city this Day week. till which I shall be ready to execute your Orders (Arch. of Md., XII. 199). Evidently he did not leave as he had planned for he received a committee appointment Aug. 23, and again Sept. 7 and 9 (see also Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 94, where a letter of Aug. 21 is mentioned; also ibid., II. 156, and Arch. of Md., XII. 258). Again, Sept. 30, he writes: Messrs. Chase and Paca left this on Sunday and I shall sett out Thursday if my state of Body will permit, tho' this I much doubt being at present much indisposed" (Arch. of Md., XII. 311). It is to be presumed that he did not leave Philadelphia, for he was given two committee appointments Oct. 10. How much longer he remained is uncertain, but he was evidently supposed to be in Philadelphia when the council's letter of Oct. 22 (Arch. of Md., XII. 393) was written, for he is asked to attend to certain business in Philadelphia. That is to say, the man "Sheat" there mentioned, the "Mr. Sheats" to whom the council wrote the same day (ibid., XII. 394), was no other than Henry Shitz of Philadelphia (cf. the Journals, Apr. 23, May 15, 1777). Stone must, however, have departed before Oct. 24, for Rumsey's letter of that date (Arch. of Md., XII. 397) mentions him in such a manner as to indicate that he was not then in Philadelphia. By Oct. 27 Stone, as well as all other Maryland delegates,

had departed (see nos. 185, 199, 215). Nov. 29 the council wrote to the delegates that Stone could not attend at present because of Mrs. Stone's illness (Arch. of Md., XII. 491), and although, at the request of Carroll, Barrister, they wrote him Dec. 12, asking him to attend (ibid., p. 524; see also no. 237), it does not appear that he again took his seat in Congress. Feb. 22, 1777, he wrote to the governor declining re-election (Hist. Soc. of Pa., Etting Collection, Signers).

Matthew Tilghman.

Elected: (See vol. I.); May 21, 1776; July 4, 1776; Nov. 10, 1776.
Attended: (See vol. I.); Dec. 2 (or earlier)-11 (?), 1776.

The Journals contain no record of Tilghman's attendance either in 1776 or 1777.
In July and early August, 1776, he was at Talbott (see Arch. of Md., XII.
94, 95, 115, 188), and he attended the Maryland convention, of which he was
made president, from Aug. 12 to Nov. 11 (see Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser.,
III. 83-182). Just when he first attended Congress is not known. It is possible,
although it does not seem probable, that he was the delegate in addition to
Chase who attended Nov. 18, else he would have been mentioned in Chase's
letter of Nov. 21 (no. 219; cf. the notes under Rumsey and Carroll, Bar-
rister). A letter of Tilghman, dated at Philadelphia, Dec. 3 (Arch. of Md.,
XII. 503), shows that he was then in attendance and had been the preceding
day, if not earlier. Rumsey's letter of Dec. 19 (no. 248) also shows that
Tilghman had been in attendance and had taken his departure, probably
before the adjournment from Philadelphia. No evidence has been discovered
pointing to his attendance in 1777.

John Adams.

MASSACHUSETTS.

Elected: (See vol. I.); Jan. 18, 1776 (for the period ending Jan. 1,
1777); Dec. 10, 1776 (until Jan. 1, 1778).

Attended: (See vol. I.); July 5 to Oct. 12, 1776; Feb. 4 to Nov. 10, 1777.
Adams was appointed, Sept. 6, one of a committee, with Franklin and Edward
Rutledge, to confer with Lord Howe, and was absent on this mission Sept. 9
to 13 (morning; see nos. 116, 117, 129, 132). He left Philadelphia Sunday,
Oct. 13 (see no. 167, note 2). Returning to Congress he arrived in Baltimore
Feb. 1, 1777 (see no. 340, note 2), but appears not to have taken his seat until
Feb. 4 (see the Journals). He obtained leave of absence Nov. 7 and took his
departure Nov. 11. ("November II. Tuesday. Set off from Yorktown."
Diary, Works, II. 440.) See note under Samuel Adams.

Samuel Adams.

Elected: (See vol. I.); Jan. 18, 1776; Dec. 10, 1776.

Attended: (See vol. I.); July 5 to Aug. 12, 1776; Oct. 25, 1776, to
Nov. 10, 1777.

...

John Adams wrote to his wife, Aug. 12: "Mr. A. and Colonel Whipple are at
length gone. They went away about three o'clock this afternoon
(Familiar Letters, p. 209, second letter of the date; see also no. 72, n. 3, and
Force, Am. Arch. fifth ser., I. 1172). Samuel Adams himself records that he
returned the evening of Oct. 24 (see no. 158, n. 8). He and John Adams
obtained leave of absence Nov. 7, 1777, and took their departure from York-
town Nov. II (see under John Adams).

In the Writings of Samuel Adams (ed. Cushing), III. 416, is a letter, dated
Dec. 8, 1777, given there as if addressed to John Adams in Congress, whereas
John Adams had accompanied Samuel Adams to Boston. The letter was
actually written to James Lovell, then at Yorktown. Lovell's reply, dated
Jan. 1, 1778, is in N. Y. Pub. Lib., Samuel Adams Papers.

Francis Dana.

Elected: Dec. 10, 1776.

Attended: Nov. 17 to Dec. 31, 1777.

Dana must have signed the resolution of secrecy (see under Richard Law) on the day of his first attendance, or soon thereafter. His name follows that of John Harvie (dated Oct. 23, 1777) and precedes that of William Clingan.

Elbridge Gerry.

Elected: (See vol. I.); Jan. 18, 1776; Dec. 10, 1776.
Attended: (See vol. I.); July 5-16, 1776; Sept. 2, 1776, to Dec. 31, 1777.
John Adams wrote to his wife, July 15, 1776: "Mr. Gerry sets off to-morrow
for Boston" (Familiar Letters, p. 202; see also Warren-Adams Letters, I.
260); and Samuel Adams wrote to James Warren, July 16, "by my very
worthy Friend and Colleague" (Writings, ed. Cushing, III. 299; foot-note
in the volume says: "John Adams"; but this is an error; it was Gerry).
Gerry was in New York July 19 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 452), and
at Kingsbridge July 21 (see no. 31). Aug. 24 he wrote from Hartford: "I am
here on my journey to Philadelphia, from which I have been absent about a
month for health" (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., I. 1146). John Adams
wrote to James Warren, Sept. 4: "Mr. G[erry] got in the day before
yesterday" (no. 107; see also Warren-Adams Letters, I. 267). Gerry was
absent on a mission to headquarters (with Sherman and Lewis) Sept. 21-30
(see note under Sherman). A statement in the letter of Samuel Adams,
Jan. 16, 1777 (no. 311), might be taken to indicate that Gerry was then
absent in Boston; but Adams probably means that Gerry was employed in
business of the public at his place of residence in Baltimore. He mentions
that three of the Massachusetts delegates were present, and these must have
been himself, Gerry, and Hancock. Gerry was, at all events, present Jan. 3
(no. 287) and 17 (Journals). He was appointed, July 11, on a committee
(Philip Livingston, Gerry, and Clymer) to visit headquarters, and was
absent on this mission until the end of July or first of August. Clymer had
returned by July 29, but Gerry's presence is not mentioned until Aug. 4 (a
committee appointment), and the committee did not give in its report until
Aug. 5 (see no. 554, n. 3, 4, and no. 556). Gerry was appointed, Nov. 28, one
of a committee (with Robert Morris and Joseph Jones) to confer with
General Washington. The committee was absent on this mission probably
from Nov. 29 to Dec. 15 (they reported Dec. 16; see no. 774; also the
Journals, Jan. 14, 1778).

John Hancock.

Elected: (See vol. I.); Jan. 18, 1776; Dec. 10, 1776. Attended: (See vol. I.); July 5, 1776, to Oct. 29, 1777. James Lovell.

Elected: Dec. 10, 1776.

Attended: Feb. 4 to Dec. 31, 1777.

Robert Treat Paine.

Elected: (See vol. I.); Jan. 18, 1776; Dec. 10, 1776.

Attended: (See vol. I.); July 5 to Dec. 12, 1776.

For the date of Paine's departure see no. 243, note 2. He did not return to
Congress in 1777.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Josiah Bartlett.

Elected: (See vol. I.); Jan. 23, 1776 (for the term of one year); Dec. 24, 1776 (for one year from Jan. 23, 1777).

Attended: (See vol. 1); July 5 to Oct. 26, 1776.

In a letter of Sept. 30 Bartlett wrote: "I have not been able to attend either the Marine or Secret Committee for some time past, and Congress but little. .. By the advice of my friends and physicians, I design to leave this city in a few days, and try to move homeward" (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 602). In his letter of Oct. 19 (no. 174) he stated that he would leave Congress as soon as Whipple arrived. Whipple arrived Oct. 24, and Bartlett doubtless left on the 26th, for he was the bearer of Whipple's letter of that date (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 1248; see also his letter of Nov. 7, ibid., III. 554). He arrived at Kingston, New Hampshire, Nov. 9 (ibid., III. 850). He did not return to Congress in 1777 (see nos. 428, 718).

Nathaniel Folsom.
Elected: (See vol. I.); Apr. 1, 1777 (for one year next ensuing).
Attended: (See vol. I.); July 21 to Dec. 31, 1777.

Folsom arrived July 20 (see no. 561) and took his seat July 21 (Journals), signing the resolution of secrecy the same day (see under Richard Law). Nov. 29 he was granted leave of absence "for a few days, for the recovery of his health"; but as he was appointed on a committee Dec. 2, and was certainly in his seat on Dec. 8 (the first record of yeas and nays in December), his absence must have been of but short duration.

George Frost.

Elected: Apr. 1, 1777 (see under Folsom).
Attended: May 16 to Sept. 17, 1777; Dec. 20 (or earlier)-31, 1777.
Frost was granted leave of absence Sept. 17, " for the recovery of his health".
Just when he returned to Congress is not known; but he was appointed on a
committee Dec. 20, and is recorded as voting Dec. 27.

Frost's signature is the last found on the original pledge of secrecy and was
evidently appended not earlier than June 5, for it follows those of Duer,
Van Dyke, and Marchant, and Duer's signature bears the date of June 5
(see the note under Richard Law of Connecticut).

John Langdon.

Elected: (See vol. I.); Jan. 23, 1776.

Attended: (See vol. I.); did not again attend in 1776 or 1777. Matthew Thornton.

Elected: Sept. 12, 1776 (for one year next ensuing); Dec. 24, 1776 (see under Bartlett).

Attended: Nov. 4, 1776, to May 2, 1777.

Thornton wrote to President Weare, Nov. 12 (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., III. 652): "The 3d instant we arrived safe in this city. I have attended the Congress every day yet" (see also no. 197). His continued attendance through the period indicated above is fairly well attested by the Journals. Whipple remarks in a letter to Bartlett Jan. 13, 1777: “My Colleague is well and desires his compliments to you. we agree very well in sentiment, but, Inter nos, N. H. is oftener divided then she used to be" (Dartmouth College. Bartlett Corr.). He obtained leave of absence May I and took his departure May 3 (no. 481; see also no. 462). Thornton did not sign the resolution of secrecy until Feb. 4, 1777 (or later), for his signature follows next after that of Brownson, which bears that date.

William Whipple.

Elected: Jan. 23, 1776; Dec. 24, 1776.

Attended: (See vol. I.); July 5 to Aug. 12, 1776; Oct. 24, 1776, to June 18, 1777.

Whipple's departure in the afternoon of Aug. 12 is chronicled by Bartlett in a postscript (Aug. 13) to a letter to John Langdon, Aug. 11 (no. 72). The date of his return to Congress is mentioned in a letter to Langdon Oct. 26: “I arrived here the 24th" (Force, Am. Arch., fifth ser., II. 1248). The Journals contain very meagre record of Whipple's attendance in 1777, but there are numerous letters from him which supply this deficiency. He wrote to Bartlett Jan. 13, 1777: "I shall set out for home in about a fortnight unless I am re-elected in that case I shall have no objection to continuing here till the season will admit of travelling with more comfort then at present" (Dartmouth College, Bartlett Correspondence). The certificate of his re-election was produced in Congress Jan. 30. In a letter to Bartlett Apr. 23 (ibid.) he says: Col. Thornton intends to leave this place in about ten days and I wish to follow him before the weather is too warm." In his letter of May 7 (no. 481) he indicates that it is his purpose to leave " very soon after Mr. Frost arrives". Frost took his seat May 16, but Whipple does not appear to have taken his departure until June 18. He was at all events the bearer of a letter of that date from Samuel Adams to James Warren (Warren-Adams Letters, I. 331).