ason had already been committed by virtually all of the colonies, and open war was already under way in at least two. Cohesion was lacking, however; as an executive body, the Second Continental Congress had no recognized legal authority, had heretofore performed no legislative functions, and had generated no treasury. Officially indisposed to employ even one soldier or levy one tax, the Congress was, at first blush, an inchoate assembly at best (Lossing).
In spite of these limitations, the Second Continental Congress, recognizing the urgency of the situation and motivated by some of the finest political thinkers of the era, boldly assumed legal authority to govern the colonies (U-S-History.com). The effects of this decision were momentous. For starters, unlike the previous Continental Congress, the Second Congress enjoyed the addition of new delegates such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock (Elson 243). These would prove among the strongest men in the body. The addition of these members, taken in combination with a series of external events, gradually swung the consensus in the Congress away from reconciliation with Great Britain and towards rebellion. Before the Second Continental Congress, the atmosphere among delegates had been mixed, with many in favor of a reconciliation (U-S-History.com). However, under the influence of the notable figures mentioned above, as well as the indomitable AdamsesùJohn and Samùthe Second Continental Congress began to recognize that the rupture between colony and mother country could not be mended (Elson 243).
The measures that followed were extraordinary. On the suggestion of John Adams, George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army. Playing defense both politically and militarily, the Congress began to make its case against its parent country. Insisti
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