P R A I S E   F O R

This is a brilliant and most enjoyable book which helps us to rediscover our rich history and  heritage. Stan Klos clearly establishes that Virginia -- not Delaware -- became the first State in the Perpetual Union of the United States America ... because it was the first to ratify the Articles of Confederation (1779). You too will want to read his documentation complete with photographs and facsimiles of primary source documents of our lively and enlightening Americana history.   -- G. William Thomas, Jr., President,  James Monroe Memorial Foundation http://www.MonroeFoundation.org

Is Mint snubbing real 1st president?
Rob Varon rvarnon@ctpost.com

A well-written and extremely thought provoking piece of historical scholarship. By using extensive primary source materials, Stan Klos effectively proves his point that from 1781 to 1789 ten men served as President of the United States in Congress Assembled. Mr. Klos does not wish to displace George Washington as "Father of Our Country." Rather, Mr. Klos is seeking recognition for Washington's predecessors. A must read for anyone interested in American Presidential history. -- Greg Priore, Archivist, William R. Oliver Special, Collections Room,  Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

It is a masterpiece in defining presidential history. Stanley Klos clearly presents the historic path of the presidency beginning with the first President of the United States in Congress Assembled Samuel Huntington, to the eleventh President, George Washington. It is a must read for any serious student of American History. - Senator Bill Stanley President of the Norwich Historical Society

… a thought provoking argument for “righting” our history books about the very early years of our democracy. Samuel Huntington, His Excellency the President of the United States in Congress Assembled, indeed!  -  Lee Langston-Harrison, Curator James Madison’s Montpelier

Quick – who was the first U.S. President? Wrong! At least, so this site tells us – documenting, as it does, no fewer than 10 possible holders of the office between 1774 and 1778. These ten men were the leaders of the Confederation Congress and Continental Congress, which (as you know if you read clear through that John Adams biography like you said you did) preceded Mr. Washington’s inauguration in 1789. Deep historical truth? Trivial anomaly? Read all about it and decide for yourself on this absorbing corner of the great Virtualology.com site.  -- USA TODAY

A Brief Chronology of late

18th Century Colonial America

1763 – The French, Indian and British War for Empire ends with a Paris Treaty resulting in an unprecedented world war victory for Great Britain. King George III signs a Proclamation prohibiting English settlement west of the Appalachians.   Parliament, in desperate need of money, passes The Sugar Act, increasing duties on imported sugar, textiles, coffee, wines and indigo dye. 

1765 – The British Stamp Act passes Parliament and imposes a direct tax on the American colonies to be paid directly to King George III. The Stamp Act Congress convenes in New York City and passes a resolution calling on King George III to repeal the act. 1 year later the act is repealed. 

1766 – English Parliament passes the Declaratory Act declaring the British government's absolute authority over the American colonies.  

1767 – The Townshend Revenue Acts are passed by Parliament taxing imported paper, tea, glass, lead and paints.  

1768 – John Hancock and other Selectman call for a town meeting at Faneuil Hall from September 23 to September 28, 1768 and 96 towns answered Hancock’s call to address taxation and self government grievances.  On the final day of the meeting, warships arrived in Boston with the first British reinforcements, and on October 1 two regiments arrived from Halifax, effectively beginning British occupation of its own colony. British troops stayed in Boston until forced to evacuate in March 1776. 

1770 – John Adams successfully defends the soldiers who open fire on a Massachusetts crowd of colonists who had been harassing them. Five are killed and six are wounded and the event goes down in history as The Boston Massacre. That same year, the Townshend Acts are repealed and taxes are removed from all items but tea.

President Who? Forgotten Founder’s Exhibit at the 2004 Republican Nation Convention.
 

1773 – The Tea Act gives the British East India Company a monopoly on tea by allowing it to bypass the British Crown Tax. Colonists masquerading as Mohawk Indians, board British ships and dump 342 containers of tea into Boston harbor in an event now known as “The Boston Tea Party.” 

1774 – Coercive Acts passed by Parliament to rebuke Massachusetts for its continuing resistance to parliamentary rule.  These four laws effectively end self-rule in Massachusetts.

1774 – The First Continental Congress organizes in Philadelphia’s City Tavern and formally meets in Carpenter Hall with every colony represented but Georgia. In attendance are George Washington, Patrick Henry and John Hancock. Declaration of Resolves is passed, asserting the rights of colonists and rejecting absolute British authority over colonies.

1775 – England Declares Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. The New England Restraining Act is also passed, requiring the Colonies to trade only with Britain. Patrick Henry gives a speech in which he declares, "Give me Liberty or Give me Death."  Later that same year, British troops headed to destroy a weapons depot at Concord are confronted by Massachusetts militiamen and the "shot heard round the world" begins the American Revolution. The Second Continental Congress convenes and unanimously appoints George Washington as General of the Continental Army.

1776– On July 2, 1776 The United Colonies of America declare themselves to be free and Independent States at the Pennsylvania Colonial Statehouse in Philadelphia.  On July 4th, 1776 The Declaration of Independence is passed.  Thomas Paine writes "Common Sense." After losses in New York and New Jersey Washington, on Christmas Eve, attacks the British and wins victory at the Battle of Trenton.  

1777 – Articles of Confederation are finally passed by the Continental Congress of the United States, but require unanimous ratification by all thirteen States. The Continental Congress continues to conduct the war under the resolutions and laws of the United Colonies of America while they await ratification. First American flag commissioned by Congress. Virginia becomes the first state by ratifying the Articles on December 16, 1777. 

1778 – After success at Saratoga Benjamin Franklin signs treaties with France, formally allying the U.S. to France against Britain. South Carolina on February 5th, New York, February 6th, Rhode Island, February 16th, Georgia, February 26th, Connecticut, February 27th, New Hampshire March 4th, Pennsylvania, March 5th, Massachusetts, March 10th, North Carolina, April 24th, and New Jersey, November 20th, ratify the Articles of Confederation.  British abandon Philadelphia and move to New York on June 18th.  In the Battle of Monmouth the American troops held the field but it is not a clear-cut victory.  This eventually becomes the last major northern battle of the war. 

1779 – Delaware, the 12th State, ratifies the Articles of Confederation February 1st.. Americans attacked with bayonets only. at Stony Point New York inflicting extensive British casualties. American Army under Maj. Gen. Lincoln fail to dislodge British from Savannah, Georgia. 

1780 – British effectively capture the Southern States when Charleston, South Carolina falls.  Former President of the Continental Congress, Henry Middleton of South Carolina, pledges allegiance to the British Crown.  General Benedict Arnold found to be a spy and accepts a commission in the British Army. 

1781 - Battle of Cowpens, Brig. General Daniel Morgan defeat Lt. Cololnel Banastre Tarleton and his army of British regulars on January 17th. On January 24th, Francis Marion and Light Horse Harry Lee captured Georgetown South Carolina. On February 2, 1781 Maryland final ratifies the Articles of Confederation, the 1st U.S. Constitution.  On March 1, Maryland’s ratification is presented to the Continental Congress. With all thirteen States present the Continental Congress declares the Articles ratified, forming the Perpetual Union of the United States of America.   On March 2, 1781 Congress changes their name as prescribed by the new Constitution to the United States in Congress Assembled.  Continental Congress President Samuel Huntington is retained and becomes the President of the United States in Congress Assembled. In the Battle of Guilford Court House, North Carolina, Maj. General Nathanael Greene opposes Lord Cornwallis. Greene retreats in good order with the British technically winning the battle.  Cornwallis however looses 28% of his army in the encounter.  In August, Washington moves to combine American and French forces. French Naval Fleet engages British Fleet on the Chesapeake Bay. This leaves Cornwallis stranded at Yorktown who surrenders  in September 1781 after French and U.S. siege. The British Parliament votes to end the war and authorizes the King to negotiate the peace with the Americans.  British evacuate Wilmington, North Carolina.

1782 –An initial peace treaty is signed in Paris recognizing American independence and agreeing to the British withdrawal from American soil.  British evacuate Savannah on July 11th. Charleston South Carolina evacuated by British on December 14th. Leaving with them were 3,800 Loyalists and 5,000 slaves. 

1783 – Military mutinies and holds Congress, who is in session in Independence Hall, hostage.  The British forces evacuate New York and Brooklyn, the last British troops to leave the United States on November 24th. 

1784 – The Treaty of Paris is ratified by the Congress. Thomas Mifflin signs as the President of the United States of America.  

1786 – Shays’s Rebellion breaks out in New England over protests of unfair taxing laws, and corrupt judges. The Articles of Confederation Government is weak and failing. The States call for a revision of the Articles of Confederation in Annapolis, Maryland but only 5 States show.  They recommend Congress call for a second convention to revise the Articles in May 1787.  Congress does not adopt the resolution. 

1787 – General Arthur St. Clair, the man who negotiated Congress’ release in 1783, is elected President of the United States in Congress Assembled.  He immediately supports the committee’s recommendation to revise the Articles of Confederation.  The Convention convenes in May.  In July St. Clair’s Congress passes the Northwest Ordinance.  On September 17th the Convention in Philadelphia signs, not a document revising the Articles of Confederation, but a new Constitution.  President Arthur St. Clair and Congress receive the New Plan for The Federal Government and decide not to alter one word, voting to send it on to the states for ratification.  

1788 - The 2nd U.S. Constitution is ratified and elections are scheduled under the new articles of the 1787 document.  Samuel Huntington, the 1st U.S. President, is one of the Confederation Delegates who adopt the dissolution plan of the unicameral government. 

1789 – The United States in Congress Assembled disbands and the new House of Representatives, Senate, Supreme Court and President assume the offices prescribed to them under the 2nd U.S. Constitution.  George Washington is sworn in as the 1st President of the United States under the 2nd U.S. Constitution.

Chapter One - Click Here

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