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Courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
Courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
[First Continental Congress] Extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the American Continental Congress held at Philadelphia on the 5th of September 1774
Courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection

[First Continental Congress]
Extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the American Continental Congress held at Philadelphia on the 5th of September 1774

Artifact IDTL 2026.1.16
Object Type Temporary Loan
Date October 27, 1774
Printer (American, active 1742 - 1770)
Place MadePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Medium Octavo (bound)
DimensionsOverall H 6 1/2 in x W 7 3/4 in x D 8 3/4 in (16.5 cm x 19.7 cm x 22.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionThis Octavo is an original October 27, 1774, first edition printing of the Extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the American Continental Congress, issued by the official congressional printers William and Thomas Bradford. The title page features a centered typographic layout using varying sizes of serif and small capital typefaces separated by thin horizontal rules. A faint, blind-stamped circular institutional seal marks the top margin. The lower section contains a multi-line publication authority statement and a three-line printing imprint.
Published just after the First Continental Congress adjourned, this historic pamphlet introduced the unified colonies' radical declarations to the public. It contains foundational texts of the American founding, including the Declaration of Rights and the Continental Association—a pact enforcing a total economic boycott of British goods. This official volume successfully consolidated localized colonial protests into a cohesive, nationwide political movement, directly setting the stage for the Revolutionary War.


Historical NoteIn their response to the Coercive Acts, American communication networks became organizational networks. Committees of Correspondence multiplied throughout the colonies, and their combined outrage over Parliament’s laws led twelve of the thirteen colonies to convene the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia from September 5 to October 26, 1774. This new assembly adopted on a much larger scale some forms of protest previously attempted by Boston. It enforced a transcolonial boycott of British goods through a sworn oath, urged the recruitment and mobilization of local militias, and circumvented Parliament to petition the King directly. With these enforcement, defense, and diplomatic actions, the First Continental Congress was indirectly building a revolutionary government that could slough off and replace the British one.
Additional Details
Credit Lineon loan courtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPolitical Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 1677287)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NoteThe use of this image and document information is fully restricted. Reproduction in any manner is not allowed.
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