July 16, 1776

The announcement of Jacob Duché’s appointment as chaplain to the Continental Congress spread widely through newspapers. However, it came as a surprise to the minister himself. In his later petition for loyalist compensation, Duché claimed that “about a Week after the Declaration of Independence,” he received a letter from John Hancock “acquainting him that he was unanimously appointed Chaplain to the Congress and was called to attend them in that capacity.” Duché was “greatly alarmed at receiving this appointment and through motives of Fear was induced to write a Letter to Mr. Hancock” accepting the appointment. It seems as though the Congress believed Duché supported their decision to declare independence, when in reality, he did not. Duché tried to stay “perfectly ignorant of what they were doing,” and a few months later, he resigned as chaplain. 

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

The Rev. Jacob Duche is appointed Chaplain to the Hon. Continental Congress.