Constitution Party National Chairman

Justin Magill

The Continental Congress Meets for the First Time

September 5, 1774

The delegates to the first Continental Congress met on this date in 1774 with delegates from twelve colonies (Georgia did not send delegates). The colonies established this Congress in response to the Coercive Acts, also known as the “Intolerable Acts”, which targeted Boston. The meeting of the Continental Congress, in Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia, was a powerful show of support and of unity in the colonies.

This first Congress was not intended to be a governing body as they still expected to work things out with the King and continue to be British Colonies. By the agreed upon meeting time of the Second Continental Congress, war had already begun, and the Congress became a de facto national governing body directing war efforts and interacting with foreign powers.

This body of men, many of whom are well-known to us today, helped to unify the American Colony’s efforts for independence and helped create the structure for the United States to succeed. They struggled and learned, made mistake and had successes, and out of it all they secured the blessings of Liberty for us all.

What are you doing to unify and organize your area for freedom from oppressive government?

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

James Madison

Additional reading: John Adams’ notes from the First Continental Congress

The post The First Continental Congress appeared first on Constitution Party.

Constitution Party National Chairman

Justin Magill

Road to Independence Dateline: 7 June 1776

The decision to separate from Britain was a difficult one for young America to make. The long train of abuses and the increasingly oppressive measure from England on one side had to be balanced with the idea of breaking from a much loved mother country that could crush them in a war and leave them in a worse position. Many members of the Continental Congress were unsure about taking such a drastic move. 

When Richard Henry Lee introduced his resolution on June 7th stating that “that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states,” there lacked the votes to approve the resolution. Over the month of June, some delegates sought instructions from their States giving them the right to approve the resolution. Some States were divided with some delegates for and some against. By the 2nd of July a compromise was reach to provide for the passage of the Lee resolution. Some delegates who were against it, were absent for the vote allowing their State to vote in favor of it. New York’s delegates abstained from the vote (because they did not feel they could vote in favor of it in the absence of clear direction from their State) allowing the “unanimous” vote required to pass the resolution.

The Continental Congress had, in anticipation of passing Lee’s resolution, appointed a committee of five to draft the formal declaration to England. Thomas Jefferson of Virginia wrote the first draft of the declaration which was then edited by and with the help of the committee ( John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Robert R. Livingston of New York). The final draft was presented to the Continental Congress on June 28, 1776. Upon the passing of the Lee resolution, the Congress took up the draft of the declaration and the debates and editing lasted until the 4th of July. 

On July 4, 1776, The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

JOIN THE FIGHT

SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF LIBERTY

Read the whole story at these links:

How Did It Happen

Massachusetts History DB

Drafts of the Declaration of Independence

The post The Lee Resolutions and the Vote for Independence from Britain appeared first on Constitution Party.