Richard Smith provides enough news to justify a whole newspaper
Mr. Smith’s DAILY RECORDING of
Continental Congress meetings was TOO JUICY
for your Publishers to RESIST!
Read the
FIRST EDITION of OUR TROUBLED TIMES
below, detailing the hottest happenings in Congress
and what that means for YOU!
[ Vol. 1. NUMB. 1. ]
DAILY
[ 27 January 1776 ]
Our Troubled Times
REPORT FROM THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
Trenton, New-Jersey
Est. in the Year of Our Lord MDCCLXXVI
Who?
We are a band of colonists seeking to educate and inform the citizenry of New Jersey. Mr. Richard Smith of Burlington, a delegate to the Congress, is our primary source for much of the content of this initial issue.
What? Where?
The actions occurring within the Continental Congress affect us all. Will New Jersey declare independence? Will the monarchy remain? If it happens in or near our colony, it matters to us all. If we find it interesting, we hope you do as well.
Why?
While we cannot yet claim full freedom to share news and express our opinion; by keeping our fellow New Jerseyans informed we hope to guide our leaders toward actions in the best interest of us all.
News
Rebellion or submission: a great debate
Courtesy of New York Public Library
OUR CURRENT INTELLIGENCE ON CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE is owed to Mr. Richard Smith, a delegate appointed from Burlington, New Jersey. Mr. Smith, a prominent financier in Burlington County, has been serving in Congress since September 1775.
The Second Continental Congress has been sitting in Philadelphia since May of 1775. Delegates come from the colonies of Great Britain in America and are the legislative body to govern the united affairs of the colonies who oppose the intolerable acts of the Sovereign of Great Britain. Some have accused Congress of fomenting open rebellion and advocating for independence. Others suggest Congress is simply trying to manage the colonies until disagreements may be resolved.
James Duane of New York gave a report on the Indian Treaty of Albany. The report was adopted, and the Secret Committee was directed to import a large quantity of Indian Goods from that and two other departments. The Indian Treaty at Pittsburgh and proceedings of the same have been returned by the Middle Department Commissioners and were referred to a committee.
Chief named a Colonel
IN OTHER BUSINESS, James Wilson of Pennsylvania, in his role of Acting Commissioner for Indian Affairs of the Middle Department, nominated an Indian Chief, currently unidentified, to be elevated to the role Colonel.
The new Colonel was presented with a shiny, new Gorget, which he then wore with pride. He later sat for a portrait by a local artist.
News
NO! Hancock rejects citizens’ petition
A PETITION FROM THE CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA pleading for the refusal of enlistment of apprentices, small debtors, and children was referred to a committee of Thomas Paine, Thomas McKean of Delaware, and Smith.
Another petition from the Debtors of Philadelphia was introduced, asking for the several colonial assemblies to devise methods to free all prisoners from debt, but this was rejected by the President of this Continental Congress, John Hancock, as being out of the Congress’ jurisdiction.
Publick Notices
A Petition
From Keppele and Steinmetz, merchants from the city of Philadelphia, for £ 5,000 pounds for a ship carried into the city of Boston. Referred to an unnamed committee.
A Petition
From the Debtors of Philadelphia, asking for the several colonial assemblies to devise methods to free all prisoners from debt is hereby rejected by President Hancock as being out of the Congress’ jurisdiction.
A Petition
From the citizens of Philadelphia to refuse enlistments of apprentices, small debtors, and children. Referred to a committee of Thomas Paine, Thomas McKean of Delaware, and Richard Smith.
Permission Granted
Mr. Inge, of Maryland may export produce from his state in return and exchange for the import of canvass.
Exciting Previews, Next Edition!
FINIS
End of this Inaugural Edition of Our Troubled Times
O enter into a minute Detail of the Advantages of a well-conducted News-Paper, would, at any Time, be impertinent, but more especially at a Crisis which makes a quick Circulation of Intelligence peculiarly interesting to all the American States. Thanks to the Intelligence provided by Mr. Richard Smith, your Publisher can supply daily details of the proceeds of the Continental Congress. We propose, through regular correspondence, to keep our Subscribers furnished with the most up to date information.
Subscriptions are taken in by all the Staff of the New Jersey State Archives and New Jersey State Library.
A Revolutionary Paper: The New Jersey Gazette
Our Troubled Times is based on The New Jersey Gazette, New Jersey’s first newspaper, founded in Burlington, New Jersey by publisher and printer Isaac Collins. (In short order, Collins moved his publication and print shop to Trenton, New Jersey.)
In fact, the background image used for Our Troubled Times is a blank page from one of the editions! You may also recognize the opening sentence of the Gazette, which we used in the closing of OTT.
Look at the first edition of the Gazette below, dated December 5, 1777.
What similarities do you see to modern newspapers?
What is different?
Richard Smith, Congressional Delegate, Real World Diarist
Our Troubled Times January 27, 1776 edition is based on the following diary entry from Richard Smith.
![Saturday 27-Letter from Wash. Lord Stirling and others-my Lord has taken a transport at Sandy Hook and 2 more vessels are taken by one of the [illegible] armed ships. On motion of Wilson one of the Indian Chiefs made a Col. and to have a Gorget. The matter of enlisting apprentices and small debtors commanded [abbreviated comd.] to McKean, Pain, and myself. A petition from the Debtors in Philadelphia Gaol [jail] praying that the several colony assemblies may be directed to devise methods to free all Prisoners for debt. This Petition was not read the President thinking it common Justice. A petition from Keppele and Steinmetz prays recompense for a Ship and Cargo carried into Boston to the value of 5000 pounds [illegible, rip in page]. Commanded to a Committee. Mr. Inge of Maryland permitted to export Produce from that Colony in return for Canvas imported. Duane reported on the Indian Treaty at Albany and it was accepted and the Secret Committee directed to import a large Inventory of Indian Goods for that and the other two Departments. The Indian Treaty at Pittsburgh and proceedings as returned by the Middle Commission commanded to a committee of 5. Report from Committee of Claim, of Col. Wynkoop, account for bringing down prisoners. The Captive officers have lived very extravagantly. A resolution that the committee at Kingston in Ulster County shall settle the Rates of maintaining the Prisoners there. McKean moved on Behalf of Col. Hazen that he may have the rank of First Colonel in Canada otherwise he declines the service, This was opposed and a committee of 2 appointed to confer with Hazen on the subject.](https://www.njstatelib.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NJ-250-Don-Richard-Smith-Diary-entry-Jan-27-1776-Continental-Congress-meeting-business.png)
Smith maintained a diary while he was a delegate summarizing each meeting of the Continental Congress. You can read his full handwritten diary covering January 26th-March 5th, 1776 at the New Jersey State Archives. Through his writing, Smith provides valuable insight into the daily happenings of the Continental Congress.
The above Saturday January 27th diary entry contains some juicy details not included in Our Troubled Times! How many can you spot?
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