I.

Introduction

Continental Congress, American intercolonial assemblage of delegates, which evolved into the de facto revolutionary government that directed the war for independence. The First Continental Congress convened in Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, on September 5, 1774, to consider and act on the situation arising from the so-called Intolerable Acts, passed by the British Parliament in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party.

Twelve colonies were represented in the First Continental Congress by about 50 delegates designated principally by the colonial assemblies; Canada and Georgia were not represented. One of the Virginia delegates, Peyton Randolph, was unanimously elected president of the assembly. The First Continental Congress issued a petition to George III, king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, called the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, and invited the people of Canada to join in an appeal to the king to help restore harmony between Britain and the colonies. In addition, the Congress called for the colonies to adopt a radical agreement—the Continental Association—boycotting trade with Britain. Extralegal bodies known as Committees of Safety were charged with enforcing the association; they soon became revolutionary spearheads in the towns and counties, creating the first effective union among the colonies and silencing Loyalist opinion.