On this day 250 years ago in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Royal Governor William Franklin (the son of Benjamin Franklin) addressed the New Jersey Assembly and implored them to remain loyal to the King:
You have now pointed out to you, Gentlemen, two Roads, one evidently leading to Peace, Happiness, and a Restoration of the public Tranquility–the other inevitably conducting you to Anarchy, Misery, and all the horrors of a Civil War.
Sources: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/william-franklin;
Also on this day from London, England, Edward Dilly wrote to John Adams:
The Proceedings of the American Congress give great satisfaction, to all the friends of Civil and Religious Liberty in this Country. Every honest and Independant Man must applaud the Congress for the Wisdom of their Proceedings—their Unanimity, and Manly firmness, and the Resolutions which they have Passed; which are Agreeable to Reason and Justice. The effects of these Resolutions Are already experienced in this Country, the Stoppage of our American Commerce, the decline of the Manufactures, and consequently a heavy draw back upon the Revenue. These are alarming Circumstances. Poverty will soon stare us in the face and unless the Grievances are redressed, who knows, but that a (the most dreadful of all Calamities) Civil War may close the Scene. But I hope your proceedings will be a means of awakening us out of our Lethargy, and shew us a sight of our danger, and upon seeing that danger we may be led to a speedy remedy. I make no doubt you will have that firmness, Unanimity, and Virtue of Perseverance, as to secure your invaluable Rights, and hand them down to Posterity inviolate.
Source: https://founders.archives.gov/?q=%2213%20January%201775%22&s=1111311111&sa=&r=1&sr=
Also on that day, the people of Charlotte County, Virginia elected a Committee of Safety.
Source: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/672b0c83-5d0c-4bed-85f0-57599c7a60b1/content at Table 22 on p. 87.
On This Day In The Revolution 