Delaware Delegates to the First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on Monday, September 5, 1774. The colonial delegations were introduced in geographical order, from North to South. The Delaware delegates were the eighth group to introduce themselves and have their letter of introduction read. The delegates who attended the first meeting were:
- Caesar Rodney
- Thomas McKean
- George Read
The Delaware Letter of Introduction
August 1, 1774, A.M.
The Representatives of the freemen of the Government of the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, & Sussex, on Delaware, met at Newcastle, in pursuance of circular letters from the Speaker of the house, who was requested to write and forward the same to the several Members of Assembly, by the Committees of correspondence for the several Counties aforesaid, chosen and appointed for that among other purposes, by the freeholders and freemen of the said Counties respectively: And having chosen a Chairman, and read the resolves of the three respective Counties, and sundry letters from the Committees of correspondence along the Continent, they unanimously entered into the following resolution, viz:
We, the representatives aforesaid, by virtue of the power delegated to us, as aforesaid, taking into our most serious consideration the several acts of the British parliament, for restraining manufactures in his Majesty’s colonies and plantations in North-America, — for taking away the property of the Colonists without their participation or consent, — for the introduction of the arbitrary powers of excises into the Customs here, — for the making all revenue excises liable without Jury, and under the decision of a single dependant Judge, — for the trial, in England, of persons accused of capital crimes, committed in the Colonies,–for the shutting up the port of Boston,–for newmodelling the government of the Massachusetts-Bay, and the operation of the same on the property, liberty, and lives of the Colonists; and also considering, that the most eligible mode of determining upon the premises, and of endeavouring to procure relief and redress of our grievances, would have been by us assembled in a Legislative capacity, but that as the house had adjourned to the thirtieth day of September next, and it is not to be expected, that his Honour the Governor would call us, by writs of summons, on this occasion, having refused to do the like in his other Province of Pennsylvania; the next most proper method, of answering the expectations and desires of our Constituents, and of contributing our aid to the general cause of America, is to appoint commissioners or deputies in behalf of the people of this government, to meet and act with those appointed by the other provinces, in general Congress; and we do, therefore, unanimously nominate and appoint Caesar Rodney, Thomas M’Kean, and George Read, Esqrs. or any two of them, deputies, on the part and behalf of this government, in a general continental congress, proposed to be held at the city of Philadelphia, on the first Monday in September next, or at any other time or place that may be generally agreed on, then and there, to consult and advise with the deputies from the other colonies, and to determine upon all such prudent and lawful measures, as may be judged most expedient for the Colonies immediately and unitedly to adopt, in order to obtain relief for an oppressed people, and the redress of our general grievances.
Signed by order of the convention,
Caesar Rodney, Chairman
Biographies
Thomas McKean
Thomas McKean is a Founding Father. He was a well-known lawyer, and politician, and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. McKean was the second President of Congress under the Articles. He also participated in key events that shaped the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act Congress, First Continental Congress, and Second Continental Congress. He also played a key role in Pennsylvania’s ratification of the United States Constitution.
Caesar Rodney
Caesar Rodney is a Founding Father. He was a well-known soldier, politician, and judge from Dover, Delaware. Rodney participated in key events that shaped the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act Congress, First Continental Congress, and Second Continental Congress. Rodney also signed the Articles of Association, which established the Continental Association.
George Read
George Read is a Founding Father. He was a lawyer and statesman who served in the First Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Association. Read is most famous for signing the Declaration of Independence, despite voting against the Lee Resolution. Read also served as the Governor of Delaware and Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.
Notes
- The formal name for the colony was “Counties of Newcastle, Kent, & Sussex, on Delaware”
- Delaware selected its delegates to the Congress on the morning of August 2, 1774.
