[39] Journals, I. 177, 178, July 26, 1775. Dr. Franklin was elected Postmaster-General for one year, and until another should be appointed by a future Congress. [40] Journals, I. 106. [41] Journals, I. 170. [42] Journals, I. 285. [43] Journals, I. 161, 162. [44] Journals, II. 112, 141, 163, 201, 255, 302, 304. [45] Journals, I. 213; II. 5. [46] June 9, 1775. [47] November 3, 1775. [48] December 4, 1775. [49] Journals, I. 115. [50] Journals, I. 231, 235, 279. [51] Annual Register. [52] May 10, 1776. Journals, II. 166, 174. CHAPTER III. 1776-1777. CONTINUANCE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT.--DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.--PREPARATIONS FOR A NEW GOVERNMENT.--FORMATION OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY. On the 7th of June, 1776, after the Congress had in fact assumed and exercised sovereign powers with the assent of the people of America, a resolution was moved by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, and seconded by John Adams of Massachusetts, "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be totally suppressed."[53] This resolution was referred to a committee of the whole, and was debated until the 10th, when it was adopted in committee. On the same day, a committee, consisting of five members,[54] was instructed to prepare a declaration "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, dissolved." The resolution introduced by Mr. Lee on the 7th was postponed until the 1st of July, to give time for greater unanimity among the members, and to enable the people of the colonies to instruct and influence their delegates. The postponement was immediately followed by proceedings in the colonies, in most of which the delegates in Congress were either instructed or authorized to vote for the resolution of Independence; and on the 2d of July that resolution received the assent in Congress of all the colonies, excepting Pennsylvania and Delaware. The Declaration of Independence was reported by the committee, who had been instructed to prepare it, on the 28th of June, and on the 4th of July it received the vote of every colony, and was published to the world.[55]