In the autumn of 1774, as tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain escalated, a significant assembly known as the First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia. This meeting, held
from September 5 to October 26 at Carpenters' Hall, brought together delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies. It marked a crucial moment in the lead-up to the American Revolution, as colonial representatives sought to collectively address the British government's coercive policies, particularly the punitive Intolerable Acts passed in response to the Boston Tea Party. The Congress aimed to forge a common cause and determine a unified response to what many perceived as abuses of parliamentary authority.
The Convention and its Delegates
The First Continental Congress gathered in Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, from September 5 to October 26, 1774. Notably, Georgia was the only one of the thirteen colonies not to send delegates. This absence was largely due to strong Loyalist sentiments within Georgia, which also relied on Great Britain for military supplies to defend its settlers against potential Native American attacks. Consequently, Georgia did not immediately join the revolutionary cause, though it would send delegates to the Second Continental Congress the following year.
The delegates themselves were chosen through various means, including election by the people of their respective colonies, by colonial legislatures, or by a colony's Committee of Correspondence. On the opening day, Peyton Randolph of Virginia was elected president of the Congress. He served in this capacity until October 22, when ill health necessitated his retirement, and Henry Middleton of South Carolina was elected to complete the session. Charles Thomson, a prominent leader of the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence, was appointed as the congressional secretary. The rules established for the Congress were designed to ensure the equality of all participants and to foster open and free-flowing debate among the diverse group of representatives.
Early Proceedings and Divergent Views
One of the Congress's initial actions, on September 6, was the adoption of a resolution proposed by Thomas Cushing that daily sessions begin with a prayer. Samuel Adams supported this idea, suggesting that Anglican clergyman Reverend Jacob Duché lead the assembly. Duché began by reading from the 35th Psalm, a passage considered fitting for the uncertain times, followed by a lengthy prayer that was generally well-received by the delegates. This act underscored the solemnity and gravity with which the delegates approached their task.
As deliberations progressed, it became evident that the delegates held differing views on the ultimate purpose of their gathering. A conservative faction, including figures like Joseph Galloway and John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, John Jay of New York, and Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, believed their primary objective was to formulate policies that would pressure Parliament to repeal its unreasonable acts. Their ultimate goal was reconciliation between the colonies and Great Britain, seeking a reasonable solution to the existing difficulties. In contrast, more radical voices, such as Patrick Henry of Virginia, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Samuel and John Adams of Massachusetts, saw their task as developing a decisive statement affirming the rights and liberties of the colonies. They aimed to end what they perceived as abuses of parliamentary authority and to secure the rights guaranteed under colonial charters and the English constitution.
Debates on Authority and Union
The spirited discussions during the opening weeks of the Congress highlighted these ideological divides. Roger Sherman, for instance, outright denied the legislative authority of Parliament over the colonies. Patrick Henry went further, suggesting that the existing colonial governments were already dissolved and that the Congress needed to establish a completely new system of government, independent from Great Britain. These radical propositions stood in stark contrast to the more moderate proposals.
Joseph Galloway, representing the conservative viewpoint, put forth a "Plan of Union." This plan proposed the formation of an American legislative body with some authority, whose consent would be required for imperial measures affecting the colonies. This less radical approach aimed to create a Union of Great Britain and the Colonies, offering a path toward reconciliation rather than separation. However, the delegates ultimately tabled Galloway's measure and later struck it from the official record of their proceedings. This decision indicated a growing inclination among the delegates towards a more assertive stance against British policies, even if full independence was not yet the unanimous goal. The Congress's first major decision, the adoption of the Suffolk Resolves, which called for a trade boycott and the training of militias, further demonstrated this shift towards collective resistance.
