Massachusetts Delegates at the First Meeting
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 Massachusetts delegates were the second group to introduce themselves and have their letter of introduction read. The delegates who attended the first meeting were:
- John Adams
- Samuel Adams
- Thomas Cushing
- Robert Treat Paine
The Massachusetts Letter of Introduction
In the House of Representatives, June 17th, 1774. This house having duly considered, and being deeply affected with the unhappy differences which have long subsisted and are encreasing between Great Britain and the American Colonies, do resolve, that a meeting of Committees from the several Colonies on this Continent is highly expedient and necessary, to consult upon the present state of the Colonies, and the miseries to which they are and must be reduced by the operation of certain acts of Parliament respecting America, and to deliberate and determine upon wise and proper measures, to be by them recommended to all the Colonies, for the recovery and establishment of their just rights & liberties, civil & religious, and the restoration of union & harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies, most ardently desired by all good men. Therefore, Resolved, That the Hon. James Bowdoin, esq., the Hon. Thomas Cushing, esq., Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, & Robert Treat Paine, esq., be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee on the part of this province, for the purposes aforesaid, any three of whom to be a quorum, to meet such committees or delegates from the other Colonies as have been or may be appointed, either by their respective houses of Burgesses, or representatives, or by convention, or by the committees of correspondence appointed by the respective houses of Assembly, in the city of Philadelphia, or any other place that shall be judged most suitable by the Committee, on the first day of September next; & that the Speaker of the House be directed, in a letter to the speakers of the house of Burgesses or representatives in the several Colonies, to inform them of the substance of these Resolves.
Attested: Samuel Adams, Clerk
Biographies
John Adams
John Adams is a Founding Father. He was America’s First Ambassador to the Court of St. James, and the Second President of the United States. He was also the first Vice President, serving two terms under George Washington.
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams is a Founding Father. He was associated with the Sons of Liberty, a member of the Continental Congress, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a leading proponent of colonial independence from Great Britain. After the Revolution, Adams served four terms as Governor of Massachusetts.
Thomas Cushing
Thomas Cushing was a delegate from Massachusetts to the First Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Association, which set up the Continental Association. He was also elected to the Second Continental Congress and signed the Olive Branch Petition, but did not sign the Declaration of Independence.
Robert Treat Paine
Robert Treat Paine is a Founding Father. He was a delegate from Massachusetts to the First Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Association, which set up the Continental Association. He was also elected to the Second Continental Congress, signed the Olive Branch Petition, and signed the Declaration of Independence.
Notes
- James Bowdoin declined the appointment due to health issues.
- Thomas Cushing, the Speaker of the House, was instructed to notify the Virginia House of Burgesses and other colonial legislatures that Massachusetts had selected delegates for the Congress.
