Agreement of Secrecy

Page one of the "Agreement of Secrecy," signed by members of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, November 9, 1775. National Archives.

Resolved, That the door be kept shut during the time of business, and that the members consider themselves under the strongest obligations of honour, to keep the proceedings secret, until the majority shall direct them to be made public.

Upon motion,
Resolved, That the doors be kept shut, during the time of business, and that the members consider themselves under the strongest obligations of honor to keep the proceedings secret, until the majority shall direct them to be made public.

Manuscript text, 9 November 1775

Page 1

Page one of the "Agreement of Secrecy," signed by members of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, November 9, 1775. Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360, National Archives. Image from fold3.

In Congress Nov.^r 9.^th 17 [75]

Resolved   That every member of this Congress considers himself under the ties of virtue, honor and love of his Country not to divulge directly or indirectly any matter or thing agitated or debated in Congress before the same shall have been determined, without leave of the Congress; nor any matter or thing determined in Congress which a majority of the Congress shall order to be kept secret, and that if any member shall violate this agreement he shall be expelled this Congress and deemed an enemy to the liberties of America and liable to be treated as such, and that every member signify his consent to this agreement by signing the same.

B Franklin John Dickinson E Biddle

Jas Duane Lewis Morris Frans Lewis Wm. Floyd Robt R Livingston junr Henry Wisner Step.n Crane Wil: Livingston Tho.s Willing And.w Allen C: Humphreys James Wilson Robt Morris

John Hancock Josiah Bartlett John Langdon Thomas Cushing Saml Adams John Adams Robt Treat Paine Step. Hopkins Sam. Ward Elipht Dyer Roger Sherman Silas Deane

Page 2

Page two of the "Agreement of Secrecy," November 9, 1775, Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360, National Archives. Image from fold3.

Th Johnson Junr Wm Paca Samuel Chase Richard Henry Lee Th: Jefferson Benja Harrison Thos Nelson jr G Wythe Francis Lightfoot Lee John Penn Will Hooper Joseph Hewes Nov. 10.th Tho Lynch Christ Gadsden Edward Rutledge Arch:d Bulloch John Houstoun Thomas Lynch Junr Arthur Middleton Fras. Hopkinson 28 June

Thos M:Kean Geo: Read Cæsar Rodney John Jay Rich:d Smith (Jersey) Philad.a 18 Jany. 1776. Saml Huntington Rob.t Alexander Oliver Wolcott J Rogers Elbridge Gerry T: Stone Jona D Sergeant Geo: Clinton W:m Whipple Mat. Tilghman Carter Braxton Thos Heyward Jun:r { May 20th Lyman Hall { 20th Button Gwinnett William Ellery Jno Witherspoon

Page 3

Page three of the "Agreement of Secrecy," November 9, 1775, Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360, National Archives. Image from fold3.

Page four of the "Agreement of Secrecy," November 9, 1775, endorsed by Charles Thomson as "Engagement of the Members to Secresy." Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360, National Archives. Image from fold3.

Abra: Clark Geo Walton John Hart B Rush. 22 July 1776 Wm. Williams, 30 July 1776 Geo. Clymer Chas. Carroll Jonath.n Elmer Mann Page Junr Nathan Brownson Feb 3d 1777 Matthew Thornton James Lovell Tho. Burke W: Smith W:m Duer June 5:th 1777 Nich.s VanDyke Hy Marchant Geo: Frost

External links

• Continental Congress: Agreement of Secrecy, 9 November 1775, Founders Online, National Archives.