Hancock Selected as President of Congress

Background. Hancock had previously served as the longest-serving president of the Continental Congress, and he had been president of Congress when the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed. After resigning as governor in 1785, he was again elected as a delegate to Congress, known as the Confederation Congress after the ratification of the Articles of Confederation in 1781. Like other presidents of Congress, his authority was mostly limited to that of a presiding officer.

Election and Absence. On November 23, 1785, Hancock was elected to serve as president of the Congress of the Confederation. However, he never attended because of his poor health and because he was disinterested. This absence contrasted with his earlier tenure, where he had been a key figure in the revolutionary government.

Resignation. Hancock sent Congress a letter of resignation in June 1786. His absence from the presidency was attributed to his poor health and disinterest. He had resigned as governor in 1785 before being elected as a delegate to the Confederation Congress.