Start of Fourth Continental Congress Session

Background. The Continental Congress acted as a series of legislative bodies with some executive function, serving as the provisional government for the Thirteen Colonies and the newly declared United States before, during, and after the Revolutionary War. After the colonies declared independence in 1776 and united as a quasi-federation, the president of Congress functioned as head of state of its central government. When the British drove Washington from New York and New Jersey in 1776, Congress fled to Baltimore.

Return to Philadelphia. Hancock and Congress returned to Philadelphia in March 1777, resuming the body's seat in the city where it had first convened in 1774. The return followed the flight to Baltimore prompted by British advances in New York and New Jersey. Hancock had been unanimously elected President of the Continental Congress on May 24, 1775, succeeding Peyton Randolph after Henry Middleton declined the nomination, and he continued to preside through this period.

Hancock's Presidency. John Hancock was the longest-serving president of the Continental Congress, having served as the second president of the Second Continental Congress. His leadership of that body and his personal sacrifices made him immensely popular and unquestionably patriotic. While president, he wrote innumerable letters to colonial officials raising money, supplies, and troops for Washington's army, and chaired the Marine Committee, helping create a small fleet of American frigates including the USS Hancock, named in his honor.