[Ads-l] Further Antedating of "United States"

[Shapiro, Fred]

United States [as opposed to "United States of America" and not referring to the Dutch provinces] (OED 1776 [10 Oct.])

1776 _Contract Between the Secret Committee and Silas Deane and Others_ [copy at South Carolina Historical Society] 19 Feb. (Founders Online)  Be it remembered, that it is agreed by and between ... Members of the Committee of Secrecy appointed by the Honorable Continental Congress of the thirteen United States in North America.

1776 _Diary of John Adams_ 28 Feb. (Founders Online)  We therefore could do nothing but keep our Eyes fixed on the great Objects of free Trade, new Governments and Independence of the United States.

Fred Shapiro

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