Congress votes to delay finalizing the Declaration of Independence itself, so the Committee of Five (Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Robert R. Livingston of New York) can continue the arduous task of drafting a formal document. Meanwhile, individual delegates seek unanimous approval from their home colonies.

At the same time, Second Continental Congress president John Hancock writes to Gen. George Washington that Congress believes there has been “very gross Misconduct” in the Canadian campaign and wants Washington to oversee an inquiry into the conduct of the officers involved. 

John Hancock to George Washington, 21–22 June 1776

Philadelphia June 21t[–22] 1776.

Sir,

The Congress having the greatest Reason to believe there has been very gross Misconduct in the Management of our Affairs in Canada, have come to a Resolution to have a general Enquiry made into the Behaviour of the Officers employed on that Expedition. The Honour of the United Colonies, and a Regard for the Public Good, call loudly for such an Enquiry to be set on Foot. I am therefore directed to request, after having made the Enquiry, agreeably to the enclosed Resolve, you will transmit the Result, together with the Proofs to Congress.

The opinion, that an Officer cannot be tried by a Court Martial after his Resignation, for Offences while he held a Commission—so dangerous to the Service—and particularly destructive in our Army, where the short Enlistment of the Troops might furnish Temptation to Crimes from the Prospect of Impunity, has been this Day reprobated by Congress.

I have wrote to the Convention of New York on the Subject of the enclosed Resolve respecting another Regiment to be raised in that Colony. The Terms on which the Commissions are to be granted, are extremely well calculated to excite the officers to exert themselves to fill up their Companies.

I have likewise written to the respective Colonies, and have sent Copies of the enclosed Resolve recommending to them to provide Cloaths for the Troops of their Colonies. These, or such Articles of them as you shall want, the Congress have empowred you to draw for on the Assemblies & Conventions from Time to Time, as you shall judge necessary. I have represented to them that it is totally impossible the American Army should ever be on a respectable Footing, or that they should render such essential Services to their Country as we expect & desire, unless the United Colonies will, on their Part, take Care that they are well appointed & equipped with every Thing necessary for an Army.

Genl Wooster, it is the Order of Congress, should be permitted to return to his Family.

I have Deliver’d Mr Vissher his Commissn as Lieut. Coll in the Regimt Commanded by Coll Nicholson, & directed him to wait on you upon his Arrival at New York.

Apprehending that such of the Resolves of Congress as respect the Conduct of the Army are executed in consequence of orders issued by you, I have omitted Sending to Genl Schuyler such as respect him, concluding that the Directions would go from you, but if it will be any way a Relief to you, I will Continue to forward them. I have the honour to be with much Esteem, Sir Your most Obedt hum. sert

John Hancock Presidt

22d Your Letter of 20th this moment come to hand, shall be laid before Congress on Monday.

ON THIS DAY: WASHINGTON ORDERS ‘A PARADE OF 900’ MEN TO BUILD DEFENSES

Meanwhile, New York is on edge over rumors — then reports — of a Loyalist plot within Gen. Washington’s own guard. Officials scramble to arrest suspected collaborators, trying to uncover how far the conspiracy reaches.

Secret Committee Warrant for the Arrest of John Campbell, 22 June 1776

[New York, 22 June 1776]

Whereas John Campbell stands charged with dangerous Designs and treasonable Conspiracies against the Rights and Liberties of the united Colonies of America We do in Pursuance of a certain Resolve of the Congress of this Colony of the twentieth of June Instant authorize and request you to cause the said John Campbell to be with all his Papers forthwith apprehended and secured and that Return be made to us of the Manner in which this Warrant shall be executed in Order that the same may be made known to the said Congress. Given under our Hands this twenty second Day of June 1776—

John Jay

Gouv Morris

Phil. Livingston