Journal of the Proceedings of Congress – United States – 1778 | First Edition

The Journal of the Proceedings of Congress, held at Philadelphia, from September 5, 1775, to April 30, 1776 is an authoritative printed record of the Continental Congress during the critical first months of the American Revolution. This London edition was printed for British readers who were eager to follow the American government and the on goings of the War. The proceedings include descriptions of the evolving colonies, appointments of George Washington and his commands of the Continental Army, as well as discussions on securing munitions, food, and uniforms for troops. It most notably contains a draft of the Petition to the King which was a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Journal of the Proceedings of Congress, held at Philadelphia, from September 5, 1775, to April 30, 1776
• Author(s): United States
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s):
• Publisher: Philadelphia: Printed; London: Reprinted for J. Almon,
• Edition: First Edition, 1778
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Binding: Contemporary leather spine with marbled boards
• Size:  8.5 × 5.5 in (21.6 × 14 cm)
• Collation: [3], 6–202 pp
• Illustrations:
• Contents Include:
  • Appointment of military officers and instructions to General Washington
  • Congressional resolutions on army supply – food, tents, ammunition, clothing
  • Text of the “Petition to the King,” engrossed and signed
  • Correspondence relating to Washington’s letters and their approved response
• Provenance: bookplate – James Strohn Copley
  • Copley was a 20^th-century American journalist known for his contributions to San Diego newspapers, whose family papers and personal library collection exists in the UC San Diego special collections.
• Reference(s): ESTC T 96252; Adams, American Controversy, 78-110; Howes E 247; Sabin 15547

Condition:

Very Good. Leather binding secure and tight; light surface rubbing to edges and corners. Spine sound. Text block complete and clean with mild age toning.

Why Collect This?

• Early record of Revolutionary-era governance
• First London printing of the Congressional journal
• Documenting correspondence between Washington and Congress

Item Number: # 29478