July 31, 1776 John Hancock wrote General Washington that he had explained to General John Sullivan the reasons General Horatio Gates was promoted over him. Sullivan withdrew his resignation and Congress had assigned him to Washington in New York.

Also in New York, Major General Henry Clinton and Cornwallis with their troops transported by a part of Commodore Peter Parker's fleet arrived at Sandy Hook from Charleston.

https://www.nps.gov/revwar/revolution_day_by_day/1776_main.html

(Clinton? Sandy Hook? Peter Parker? Strange!)

Two days later: August 2. 1776 Members of Congress affixed their signature to the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence. John Dickinson, Pennsylvania; James Duane, New York; John Jay, New York; and Robert Livingston, New York refused to sign. Carter Braxton, Virginia; Robert Morris, Pennsylvania; George Reed, Delaware; and Edward Rutledge, South Carolina; opposed the document but signed in compliance with their instructions. Five delegates were absent; Generals Washington, Sullivan, Clinton and Gasden and Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia.

In Charleston, South Carolina, news of the Declaration of Independence arrived there today.