in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. The delegates, including George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, were elected
in part by colonial assemblies and in part by the provincial congresses
that had sprung up to replace those rebellious legislatures dissolved by
royal governors. The Congress commissioned Washington to organize a continental
army and assume responsibility for the siege of Boston. It formulated regulations
for the conduct
for trade; issued paper money; and sent emissaries abroad to negotiate with foreign powers for financial, diplomatic, and military assistance. Most of the delegates, including Washington , still hoped for reconciliation with Britain, but by the end of 1775 this possibility had faded. In August the British monarch had issued a proclamation " for suppressing rebellion and sedition " in the colonies and in September had hired 20,000 Hessians. Two days later Congress approved a formal Declaration of Independence. It caused us to formally declare war against Britain.
