Читать книгу Revolution An Uncommon Chronicle of the American War for Independence - Kenneth JD Samcoe - Страница 16

Franklin

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Aug. 14, 1775. Members of rebel Congress packed their bags and headed home for advice from their constituents this week, after voting for a War Department and then engaging themselves in an intense round of debates on exactly how they were to pay for the army their department is supposed to run.

The debates also revealed concerns many delegates have about their authority to run the war and engage in foreign affairs without the unanimous consent of the colonies. In an attempt to urge consensus among themselves, Pennsylvania delegate Dr. Benjamin Franklin presented Congress a draft entitled “Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.” His draft was rejected, but most of the delegates admitted that the colonies have to consider the idea of Confederacy. Before it adjourned, the rebel Congress established a Continental post office, naming Benjamin Franklin Postmaster General.

Congress also named Dr. Benjamin Church Surgeon General of the Continental Army. Dr. Church, a delegate from Massachusetts, was instrumental in the formation of the Massachusetts Sons of Liberty. He is also credited with organizing the rebel alerts at Lexington and Concord.