John Adams is talking to Richard Henry lee as the congress in breaking up. Adams says, "Can we not complete the task before us?" What did Adams understand the task to be?

The task before the two men and before Congress, as understood by Adams, was about their intended resolution for the Declaration of Independence from Britain.

Explanation:

The conversation between John Adams and Richard Henry Lee, as the Congress was breaking up, centered on the resolution for the Declaration of Independence from Britain, which the two congressional delegates had prepared.  Richard Henry Lee then introduced the resolution on June 7, 1776, which was seconded by John Adams.  This resolution, passed by 9 out of the 13 colonies, marked the point of cessation from the British monarchy.