Thursday, September 5, 2024

Monday, September 5, 1774. The first Continental Congress Convenes.

President Peyton Randolph.

The first Continental Congress convened at Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia.  Twelve of the Fourteen (not thirteen) colonies sent delegates. Georgia, which was fearful of war with native tribes, did not participate as it hoped for British assistance in the impending war with those earlier denizens.  Quebec had no interest in participating.

Peyton Randolph of Virginia was named President of the First Continental Congress. 

Randolph. . . not Washington.  

Randolph, not Washington, was the first President of the United States by some measures (and Washington is not the first President under any properly considered measure).  He was an American born lawyer who had studied law at the Middle Temple at the Inns of Court in London, becoming a member of the bar in 1743, showing just how unlike the current populist "don't tread on me" crowd these men were.

He died of some sort of seizure in 1775 while dining with Thomas Jefferson.  He was 54 years of age.

Signatory page of the three-page Continental Association signed by 53 of the 56 delegates

Last edition:

Sunday, September 4, 1774. Explorers.

No comments: