Revolutionary War-dated partly-printed DS, signed “S. Adams” and "Sam'l Adams," one page, 6.25 x 8.25, December 4, 1779. State of Massachusetts-Bay council-chamber warrant ordering Treasurer Henry Gardner to "pay out of the public Treasury of this State to Honble Samuel Adams Esq., the Sum of four thousand one hundred and seven Pounds twelve Shillings & ten pence…for his services &c as a delegate from this State in Congress to July 1st 1779." Signed at the conclusion in ink by John Avery as secretary of the commonwealth, and signed below by fifteen members of the council, including Samuel Adams, Artemas Ward (Major General who was second in command to George Washington), Moses Gill (influential businessman and politician), Nathan Cushing (later a justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court), and others. Also endorsed on the reverse by Samuel Adams. In fine condition, with professional repairs to fold splits and small areas of paper loss.
The Second Continental Congress, held from May 10, 1775, to March 1, 1781, functioned as the de facto national government during the Revolutionary War—raising armies, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and writing petitions on behalf of what was now called the 'United States.' On July 4, 1776, the Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing and explaining the fledgling nation's separation from Great Britain—Adams was one of the four signers from Massachusetts.
Although Samuel Adams's precise role in the body's deliberations is uncertain—the Congress operated in secrecy—he appears to have had a major influence, working behind the scenes in the manner of a 'parliamentary whip.' Thomas Jefferson credited Samuel Adams with steering the Congress toward independence, saying, 'If there was any Palinurus to the Revolution, Samuel Adams was the man.' Adams served on numerous committees, often dealing with military matters: among his more noted acts was the nomination of George Washington to be commander-in-chief over the Continental Army.
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