Forgotten Presidents

Fast! Who was the first president of the United States?

If you said: "George Washington" to go at the end of the line. He was 12 to 15 when the first three presidents of the Continental Congress, 13 Colony count.

President of the Continental Congress was Peyton Randolph, Henry Middleton and John Hancock, but the colonies were under the nominal control of King George III. The Declaration of Independence of the 2nd July 1776 (public announcement of July 4) speaks of "These UnitedColonies. "

Shortly after the declaration, Congress approved the Articles of Confederation under which they waged a successful revolution against England.

In this difficult time, served for four patriots as "president." John Hancock - the third president of Continental Congress - was the first president of Confederation. According to him, was Henry Laurens, John Jay and Samuel Huntington.

However, the Confederation was not supported by all 13 states by March l, 1781, ratified at which timeCeased to exist, the Continental Congress. Huntington Federal technically remain president until his resignation in July 1781 so that, seen, he was the first president of the United States.

Thomas McKean of Delaware was elected "President of the United States in Congress Assembled" in July 1781st Lord Cornwallis surrendered to the Confederate 19th October 1781.

This was followed by President of the Confederacy in Congress assembled, John Hanson, Elias Boudinot, Thomas Mifflin,Richard Henry Lee, John Hancock, Nathanial Gorham, Arthur St. Clair and Cyrus Griffin.

The loose confederation of autonomous states, the bills were incurred during the revolution, and arguing about taxes and tariffs between states. A "federal" constitution welding of the different states into one nation adopted 17th September, 1787.

George Washington became president of the United States under our present constitution by a vote of the citizens in 1789. He served two terms, butrefusing to another. The Constitution was a Bill of Rights, 15 Ratified in December 1791.

Wanted Man

Some early presidents are particularly noteworthy. Leading the list would be John Hancock. He was president three times - assembled Continental Congress, federal government and Congress.

While many are was a populist who firmly believes in the ability of the common man. He supported the Boston Tea Party and complained BostonMassacre.

He is known as the first signatory to remember - in bold - the Declaration of Independence.

The crown had a decree from England in the spring of 1776 offers a great reward for the capture Hancock delivered. However, he announced that he could affix his signature: "The British government show that name without spectacles, let them double their reward!"

Curiously, the statement presented to King George III Broadside contain only the names of President John Hancockand Secretary Charles Thomson. The names of the other signatories were not published until 1777th

It is certain that would, if the Americans had the ensuing war, Knox and Thomson lost his head lost.

First President

Samuel Huntington was a self-taught lawyer in Connecticut - like most colonial lawyers - and a member of the Supreme Court. He was elected to the General Assembly and a member of the Council of the revolutionary security.

He joined theAct Sons of Liberty as opposed to the Stamp. Passage of coercive measures in 1774 - in response to the Boston Tea Party - Huntington LED in the active resistance against the Crown.

Huntington signed the Declaration of Independence and was elected 1779 President of the Continental Congress. Hold this position in 1781 have been ratified Articles of Confederation, the name "United States adopted."

In this position he was always in the states to adopt successfultheir rates of men and provisions.

Huntington withdrew from the Confederation to the Governor of Connecticut to accept. So he led the adoption by the state of the Federal Constitution in 1788.

Imprisoned in Tower

Henry Laurens was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776th The following year he succeeded as president of John Hancock. It was 1778 by.

He was appointed minister to Holland in 1779 to negotiate a contract. Hesailed on the container "Mercury", which was captured by the British 28-gun frigate Vestal "from Newfoundland.

Laurens threw his papers overboard, but they were again exposed and his mission. Punish the refusal of Holland to his minister - who had suggested the contract - in the war between England and Holland lead.

Laurens was brought to London, examined before the Council of State and imprisoned in the infamous Tower on "suspicion of treason." He has already his health deterioratedwell over 15 months without medical attention.

The former president of the Confederation get a pencil and had a communication with the American newspapers by a trusted friend.

Laurens twice rejected offers to forgive if he cooperate with the British government.

His son John, a colonial Minute Man in 1781 was sent to Paris to negotiate a loan with France. Senior Lauren was informed that his sentence would be "less powerful", if he believesJohn French to abandon negotiations.

Lauren's father said his son was a man of honor who never sacrifices himself to save his father's life. John was killed a few months later in a skirmish with British troops in South Carolina.

Laurens to the House of Commons in December 1782 for more freedom in prison. Soon afterwards he was replaced by Lord Cornwallis, and was commissioned by Congress in order to negotiate one of the ministers of peace.

He went to Paris withJohn Jay and Benjamin Franklin signed the contract and understanding of 30th November 1782nd

Henry Laurens retired to his plantation "Mepkin, near Charleston. He was a presidential elector for South Carolina - A voice for his old friend George Washington as the constitutional President of the United States of America.

Citizen Laurens died 8th December 1792, at age 62. He closed his will with a surprising request for that time:

"I solemnly enjoin it on my son, as an indispensableDuty, that is, after my death as soon as he conveniently it is because my body into twelve feet tow cloth wrapped and burned until they are completely consumed, and then collect my bones, deposit them wherever he may well hold. "

The incineration was the first in this country. His ashes will be buried at the former estate in Berkeley County.