President of the Continental Congress

The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress elected by the delegates to the congress. After the Articles of Confederation were adopted on in March 1 1781 the office was known as the President of the United States in Congress Assembled.

President under the Articles

Adjusting to the style changes of the government the formal title of the presiding officer became "The President of the United States, in Congress Assembled". Except for John Hanson, most of the Presidents used this title only for treaties and on the diplomatic credentials for ministers. As an office, the Articles gave the president no powers at all. The only reference was to limit the term of the delegate elected the presiding officer to one year out of three. When Congress was not in session, a Committee of the States, consisting of one delegate from each state, would act as the government.

Related Topics:
John Hanson - Committee of the States

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The view that the office of President of the Continental Congress was a precursor to that of President of the United States is still held by some, but appears to be limited when contemporary documents are examined. The Congress as a whole was the Government. It embodied legislative, judicial, and executive powers. In practice, this system of Government proved flawed, and as a result the United States Constitution separated the powers, and defined the powers of the President.

Related Topics:
United States Constitution - President

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