Documents Illustrative of the Formation of the Union of the American States
Resolution of secrecy adopted by the Continental Congress
Selected, Arranged, and Indexed by Charles C. Tansill
November 9, 1775
Resolved, That every member of this Congress considers himself under the ties of virtue, honour, 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 from 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. 1
1. Quoted from Secret Journals of the Acts and Proceedings of U. S. Congress, Vol. I, p. 34
