Ceremonial Duties and Tenure Until 1781 Resignation

Although the President of Congress held a mostly ceremonial position with no real authority, the office required Huntington to handle a good deal of correspondence and sign official documents. He remained President of Congress until July 9, 1781, when ill health forced him to resign and return to Connecticut. Because he was president of the Second Continental Congress when the Articles of Confederation were ratified, some biographers and civic groups have inaccurately called him the first President of the United States.