On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:

Congress has appointed Mr. [George] Wythe, Mr. [Silas] Deane and me, a Committee to collect an Account of the Hostilities committed by the Troops and Ships, with proper Evidence of the Number and Value of the Houses and other Buildings destroyed or damaged, the Vessels captivated and the Cattle, Sleep, Hogs &c. taken. We are about writing to all the general assemblies of New England, and to many private Gentlemen in each Colony to assist Us in making the Collections.

The Gentlemen with me are able Men. Deane’s Character you know. He is a very ingenious Man and an able Politician. Wythe is a new Member from Virginia, a Lawyer of the highest Eminence in that Province, a learned and very laborious Man: so that We may hope this Commission will be well executed. A Tale of Woe it will be! Such a scene of Distress, and Destruction and so patiently and magnanimously born. Such a Scene of Cruelty and Barbarity, so unfeelingly committed. 

Source: https://americanfounding.org/entries/second-continental-congress-october-19-1775/