Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress, Held at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774 — Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress, Held at Philadelphia, May 10, 1775. Philadelphia: William and Thomas Bradford, 1774–1775



2 volumes bound in one, 8vo (7 5/8 x 4 1/2 in.; 194 x 115 mm). Half-titles and title-pages with woodcut seals in both Journals; moderate to severe browning and foxing throughout, signature clipped from upper right corner of title-page to 1774 Journal. Contemporary calf; corners bumped, rebacked, hinges strengthened.

William J. Benners (early inscription on half-title)

Evans 13737; Howes J263; Lilly/Powers 33. Not in Hildeburn or Sabin, both of which cite the second issue only. Evans 14569 (Journal for 1775)

2 volumes bound in one, 8vo (7 5/8 x 4 1/2 in.; 194 x 115 mm). Half-titles and title-pages with woodcut seals in both Journals; moderate to severe browning and foxing throughout, signature clipped from upper right corner of title-page to 1774 Journal. Contemporary calf; corners bumped, rebacked, hinges strengthened.
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First edition, first issue of the first official journal of the Continental Congress. "It had been resolved in June of 1774 that it was necessary to call a meeting of all the Committees of Correspondence throughout the Colonies to discuss the distressing differences betweeen Great Britain and America, and to take appropriate united action" (Lilly/Powers). The first session of the Continental Congress sat at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia 5 September–26 October 1774. The principal achievements of the first Congress—all printed in this first Journal—were the ꩲadoption of a Declaration of Rights, Address to the People of Great Britain, and an Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebec, and the resolution to reassemble 10 May 1775 if colonial rights and liberties had not bee𓆉n restored.

The famous seal on the title-page depicts twelve hands, representing the twelve colonies (Georgia did not send delegates), supporting a column topped by a Liberty cap and resting on the Magna Carta, all framed by the motto Hanc Tuemur | Hanc Nitimur ("This we defend, this we lean upon").

The present first issue is scarce; a more common second issue of the same year added a twelve-page Petition of the Continental Congress to the King. Together with the Journal for 1775.