College Hall
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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July 2, 1778 to July
20, 1778
College Hall and the Return to Philadelphia in 1778
On June 20, 1778, the Continental Congress received news of a pivotal development: the British army had evacuated Philadelphia on June 18. This news set off jubilant celebrations throughout the city. Bonfires illuminated the night, the courthouse was lit up, and fireworks filled the skies as citizens rejoiced in the restoration of their city [1]. Shortly after, on June 25, the Continental Congress, then meeting in York, Pennsylvania, announced plans to adjourn on June 28 and reconvene in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 2. The official resolution stated, “From this place to meet at Philadelphia, on Thursday, the second of July next” [2].
The British Occupation of Philadelphia
The British occupation of Philadelphia, from late 1777 to mid-1778, had far-reaching consequences. The occupation strained British resources, and their presence in the city revealed stark contrasts in how the two sides conducted themselves during this period. Benjamin Franklin’s famous remark, upon hearing that Sir William Howe had taken Philadelphia, underscored the strategic and moral shortcomings of the British campaign: “It was more likely that Philadelphia had taken Sir William Howe” [3]. This witty observation held more truth than humor; the extended stay of the British army in Philadelphia was a serious blow to their cause. During the occupation, approximately 700 British soldiers deserted, while the officers indulged in extravagance and leisure that stood in stark contrast to the privations endured by Washington and his army at Valley Forge [4].
The State of Philadelphia and Congress’s Return
Congress’s return to Philadelphia was fraught with complications. Upon reconvening on July 2, 1778, the Continental Congress found itself unable to achieve a quorum in the State House. The Journals of Congress noted: “According to adjournment, the president and a number of members met at the State House in Philadelphia on Thursday the 2d of July, and adjourned from day to day, to the present” [5]. This delay underscored the lingering disruptions caused by the British occupation.
When Congress finally achieved a quorum on July 7, it convened not in the State House but at the College of Philadelphia (now part of the University of Pennsylvania). The condition of the State House and much of the city rendered it unsuitable for immediate use. In a letter dated July 13, 1778, delegate Joseph Bartlett described the dire state of Philadelphia to John Langdon:
“The Congress meets in the College Hall, as the State House was left by the enemy in a most filthy and sordid situation, as were many of the public and private buildings in the City. Some of the genteel houses were used for stables and holes cut in the parlor floors and their dung shoveled into the cellars. The country Northward of the City for several miles is one common waste, the houses burnt, the fruit trees and others cut down and carried off, fences carried away gardens and orchards destroyed. Mr. Dickenson's and Mr. Morris' fine seats all demolished—in short I could hardly find the great roads that used to pass that way” [6].
The Aftermath of the British Occupation
Bartlett’s vivid account paints a picture of widespread devastation. The British had used some of the city’s finest homes as stables, cutting holes in parlor floors to dispose of waste into cellars. Public and private properties alike were left in shambles. The surrounding countryside bore evidence of systematic destruction: burned houses, felled fruit trees, uprooted gardens, and dismantled fences. To fortify their hold on Philadelphia, the British had constructed a defensive abatis using trees, stretching from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River. They reinforced this with redoubts and a quadrangular fort for cannon, leaving behind a stark reminder of their occupation [7].
Conclusion
The return of Congress to Philadelphia marked a symbolic reclamation of the city and a renewed determination to advance the cause of independence. Meeting in College Hall due to the desecration of the State House, the Congress carried forward its work amidst the ruins left by British forces. The stark contrasts between the occupiers’ conduct and the resilience of the Continental Army underscored the moral and strategic superiority of the American cause. This period remains a testament to the perseverance of Congress and the people of Philadelphia, who rebuilt their city and continued their pursuit of liberty despite immense hardship.
Journals of the Continental Congress - College Hall
July 1778
July 2, 1778 (Thursday):
Congress reconvenes in Philadelphia, reestablishing the capital after the British occupation. This return symbolizes a major victory for the revolution, as the British had failed to maintain control of the city.
July 6, 1778 (Monday):
Congress receives official confirmation from General Washington of the Battle of Monmouth, along with detailed reports on the conduct of the army. Washington’s leadership at Monmouth helped cement his reputation, particularly after earlier criticisms of his performance.
July 9, 1778 (Thursday):
Congress formally signs the Treaty of Alliance with France, further solidifying the Franco-American alliance. French support, especially naval power, would prove crucial in the later stages of the war.
July 14, 1778 (Tuesday):
Congress begins discussions on the possibility of launching new offensives against British-held territories in the south, as British attention was now shifting toward campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas.
July 20, 1778 (Monday):
Congress appoints new officers to the restructured Commissary Department, continuing efforts to reform the supply chain for the army. The effectiveness of this department was critical to maintaining the army’s ability to fight.
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Footnotes
- Journals of the Continental Congress, June 20, 1778.
- Ibid., June 25, 1778.
- Franklin, Benjamin. Quoted in Middlekauff, Robert, The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789.
- Middlekauff, Robert. The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789.
- Journals of the Continental Congress, July 2, 1778.
- Bartlett, Joseph. Letter to John Langdon, July 13, 1778.
- Bartlett, Joseph. Ibid.
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
For students and teachers of U.S. history, this video features Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Filmed in December 2015, this video is an informal recording by an audience member capturing a presentation attended by approximately 200 students, professors, and guests. To explore the full curriculum, [download it here].
Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776
September 5, 1774 | October 22, 1774 | |
October 22, 1774 | October 26, 1774 | |
May 20, 1775 | May 24, 1775 | |
May 25, 1775 | July 1, 1776 |
Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America
George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776 | October 29, 1777 | |
November 1, 1777 | December 9, 1778 | |
December 10, 1778 | September 28, 1779 | |
September 29, 1779 | February 28, 1781 |
Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 | July 6, 1781 | |
July 10, 1781 | Declined Office | |
July 10, 1781 | November 4, 1781 | |
November 5, 1781 | November 3, 1782 | |
November 4, 1782 | November 2, 1783 | |
November 3, 1783 | June 3, 1784 | |
November 30, 1784 | November 22, 1785 | |
November 23, 1785 | June 5, 1786 | |
June 6, 1786 | February 1, 1787 | |
February 2, 1787 | January 21, 1788 | |
January 22, 1788 | January 21, 1789 |
Articles of Confederation Congress
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions
USCA | Session Dates | USCA Convene Date | President(s) |
First | 03-01-1781 to 11-04-1781* | 03-02-1781 | |
Second | 11-05-1781 to 11-03-1782 | 11-05-1781 | |
Third | 11-04-1782 to 11-02-1783 | 11-04-1782 | |
Fourth | 11-03-1783 to 10-31-1784 | 11-03-1783 | |
Fifth | 11-01-1784 to 11-06-1785 | 11-29-1784 | |
Sixth | 11-07-1785 to 11-05-1786 | 11-23-1785 | |
Seventh | 11-06-1786 to 11-04-1787 | 02-02-1787 | |
Eighth | 11-05-1787 to 11-02-1788 | 01-21-1788 | |
Ninth | 11-03-1788 to 03-03-1789** | None | None |
* The Articles of Confederation was ratified by the mandated 13th State on February 2, 1781, and the dated adopted by the Continental Congress to commence the new United States in Congress Assembled government was March 1, 1781. The USCA convened under the Articles of Confederation Constitution on March 2, 1781.** On September 14, 1788, the Eighth United States in Congress Assembled resolved that March 4th, 1789, would be commencement date of the Constitution of 1787's federal government thus dissolving the USCA on March 3rd, 1789.
Presidents of the United States of America
Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America
Philadelphia | Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774 | |
Philadelphia | May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776 | |
Baltimore | Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777 | |
Philadelphia | March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777 | |
Lancaster | September 27, 1777 | |
York | Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 | |
Philadelphia | July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783 | |
Princeton | June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783 | |
Annapolis | Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784 | |
Trenton | Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784 | |
New York City | Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788 | |
New York City | October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789 | |
New York City | March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790 | |
Philadelphia | Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800 | |
Washington DC | November 17,1800 to Present |
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Edited: Open AI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model] - https://chatgpt.com
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