SEARLE, James, member of the Continental congress, born in New York city about 1730; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 7 August, 1797. Little is known of his early life, but when he attained his majority he engaged in business with his brother John in Madeira, and was admitted to the firm of John Searle and Co. in 1757. He left Madeira in 1762, settled in Philadelphia, and in 1765 signed the " non-importation agreement," by which the citizens of Philadelphia bound themselves to order no more goods from Great Britain. He was a manager of the United States lottery in 1776-'8, and in August of the latter year became a member of the naval board, resigning that office in October on account of his objections to the existing naval regulations. From November, 1778, till July, 1780, he was in the Continental congress, serving as chairman of the commercial committee, and on that to apportion the quota of taxes to be paid by each state. He was also a member of the marine committee, and that on foreign affairs. He was sent to Europe as the agent of the state of Pennsylvania in July, 1780, "to negotiate a loan of £20,000 in such countries or states as he should judge most likely to favor his views"; but the mission was unsuccessful. He returned to Philadelphia in 1782, and, having lost his fortune, re-entered business and resided for several years in New York city.