The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
April 6, 1776
Gen. George Washington has left his headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts. After occupying Boston for nearly a year, the British fleet has now been gone for 10 days.
Washington’s destination? New York City.
Along the way he passes through Providence, Rhode Island; then Norwich; and then New London, Connecticut. His purpose? To expedite the embarkation of the troops.
On April 6, 1776, Washington is in Providence preparing to continue his journey when he writes to Rhode Island Gov. Nicholas Cooke, relaying his compliments to both him and the “Gentlemen of Providence.”
Washington noted that he would accept the “polite invitation” that he received from the governor and his associates.
In Philadelphia, John Adams writes in his journal that the Second Continental Congress has formally opened American ports to foreign trade, excluding Britain, and banned the importation of slaves, directly defying British authority. Concurrently, the Continental Navy is engaged in the Battle of Block Island, a failed skirmish against the HMS Glasgow.
“The Second Continental Congress resumed the consideration of the Report, from the Committee of the whole, and the same being twice read, and debated by paragraphs, was agreed to. These Resolutions are on the Journal, and amount to something.1 They opened the Ports and sett our Commerce at Liberty: But they were far short of what had been moved by Members from Massachusetts, Maryland and Virginia. There is one Resolution I will not omit.
Resolved that no Slaves be imported into any of the thirteen Colonies.
I will not omit to remark here, the manifest Artifice, in concealing in the Journal the Motions which were made and the Names of the Members who made them, in these daily Committees of the whole. The Spirit of a Party which has been before exposed can alone Account, for this Unfairness.
ON THIS DAY: PRIVATEERS GIVEN PERMISSION TO ATTACK ALL BRITISH SHIPS
Resolved that the Remainder of the report be postponed.
A Letter from General Washington of the 27th. of March. And a Letter from Brigadier General Heath being received and read,
Resolved that the Letter from General Washington, with the Papers inclosed, be referred to a Committee of the whole Congress.”