Bad beef smells really really bad and you would not have to put your nose close to the meat to smell it. You would know there was something wrong. I have had beef that is a little brownish in place and it was fresh and not old. I don't know exactly why it looks that way sometimes but it is probably drying blood.
When the Second Continental Congress came together on May 10, 1775 it was, in effect, a reconvening of the First Continental Congress.
When the First Continental Congress adjourned October 26, 1774, the delegates agreed to meet again on May 5, 1775. The Second Continental Congress met as agreed on May 5, 1775. This was after the battles at Lexington and Concord on April 19th.