A month after the battle of Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress met and all thirteen colonies were represented. The call for independence was not yet declared. Instead, the delegates called for the king and Parliament for a redress of grievances. But Congress consented to the decision to continue fighting until the consent to the redress of grievances. And a prudent Congress also adopted measures to raise money, a navy and an army if the repeal is refused. Congress selected the eminent George Washington as the general of an improvised and rudimentary army.