Continental Congress. A complete set of the foundational documents of the American Republic

CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

A COMPLETE SET OF THE JOURNALS OF CONGRESS, CONTAINING THE PROCEEDINGS FROM SEPTEMBER 1774 TO NOVEMBER 1788. [PHILADELPHIA OR NEW YORK: AITKEN (VOLS. I-II), PATTERSON (VOLS. III AND VII), CLAYPOOLE (VOLS. IV, V, AND VIII) AND DUNLAP (VOLS. VI, IX-XIII), 1777-1788]

13 volumes, 8vo (7 1/2 x 4 5/8 in.; 191 x 117 mm). Uniformly and expertly bound to style in half period tree sheep and marbled paper covered boards, flat spines ruled in gilt, red morocco lettering pieces.

Each volume as follows:

Volume I: September 5, 1774 to January 1, 1776. Philadelphia: R. Aitken, 1777. Evans 15683

Volume II: For the Year 1776. Philadelphia: R. Aitken 1777. The rare issue with Aitken's imprint, one of a few known complete copies. Evans 15684

Volume III: January 1, 1777 to January 1, 1778. New York: John Patterson, [1788]. Evans 21527

Volume IV: January 1, 1778 to January 1, 1779. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, [1779]. Includes 4pp. Appendix in the rear. Evans 16584

Volume V: January 1, 1779 to January 1, 1780. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1782. Terminal leaf of Index supplied from another copy. Evans 17766

Volume VI: January 1, 1780 to January 1, 1781. [Philadelphia]: John Dunlap, [1786]. Abridged issue, titled "Resolutions, Acts and Orders of Congress, for the Year 1780". Evans 20079

Volume VII: For the Year 1781. New York: Patterson, 1787. Evans 20773

Volume VIII: November 1782 to November 1783. Philadelphia: David C. Claypoole, 1783. Evans 18266

Volume IX: November 1783 to June 1784. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, [1784]. [Bound with:] ... June 1784 to August 1784. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1784. With the rare addendum with separate title. Evans 18840 with 18441

Volume X: November 1784 to November 1785. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1785. Evans 19316

Volume XI [title incorrectly reads Volume XII, as issued]: November 1785 to November 1786. [Philadelphia:] John Dunlap, [1786]. Evans 20068

Volume XII: November 1786 to November 1787. [Philadelphia or New York:] Published by Order of the Congress, 1787. Evans 20772

Volume XIII: November 1787 to November 1788. [Philadelphia:] John Dunlap, [1788]. Evans 21526

A complete set of the Journals of Congress—one of the most vital records of the Revolutionary and Confederation period

On 26 September 1776, Congress had authorized Robert Aitken to reprint the two congressional journals that had appeared, in effect, as occasional publications "and to continue to print the same." With the loss of Aitken's press in the fall of Philadelphia, this responsibility devolved to John Dunlap and David Claypoole. A tradition had already been established by the separate publication of the Journals of the first and second Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775. The first volume of this series, begun after the Declaration of Independence, reprinted those journals, and was issued concurrently with the second volume, both appearing from the press of Robert Aitken in 1777. The second volume included a printing of the Declaration. The volumes issued thus cover the entire span of the Continental Congress, beginning in 1774, through the Revolutionary years, and on to the period from the Peace in 1783 to the adoption of the Constitution. The final session sat through November 1788, and the new federal government began in April 1789. 

These Journals contain the most vital documents from the Revolutionary period through the end of the Confederacy, and culminate with the adoption of the Federal Constitution in 1788. They are an essential basis for any comprehensive collection of the Revolution and early National period.

REFERENCE:

DAB XI:327; Evans 15683, 15684, 21527, 16584, 17766, 20079, 20773, 18266, 18840 with 18441, 19316, 20068, 20772, 21526; Matyas, Declaration of Independence 77-09A