Forgotten Founders Exhibit at RNC's CivicFest 2008 |
- To secure Head of State recognition for the four men who served as Continental Congress Presidents of the United Colonies of America;
September 5, 1774 | October 22, 1774 | |
October 22, 1774 | October 26, 1774 | |
May 20, 1775 | May 24, 1775 | |
May 25, 1775 | July 1, 1776 |
George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783
- To secure U.S. Head of State recognition for the four men who served as Continental Congress Presidents of the United States of America;
Continental Congress of the United States Presidents
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776 | October 29, 1777 | |
November 1, 1777 | December 9, 1778 | |
December 10, 1778 | September 28, 1779 | |
September 29, 1779 | February 28, 1781 |
- To secure U.S. Head of State recognition for the ten men who served as the Constitution of 1777 U.S. Presidents under the Articles of Confederation.
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 | July 6, 1781 | |
July 10, 1781 | Declined Office | |
July 10, 1781 | November 4, 1781 | |
November 5, 1781 | November 3, 1782 | |
November 4, 1782 | November 2, 1783 | |
November 3, 1783 | June 3, 1784 | |
November 30, 1784 | November 22, 1785 | |
November 23, 1785 | June 5, 1786 | |
June 6, 1786 | February 1, 1787 | |
February 2, 1787 | January 21, 1788 | |
January 22, 1788 | January 21, 1789 |
- To secure United States founding recognition for delegates, commissioners, judges, ministers, military officers and other government officials who served in the United Colonies and States of America's Republics from 1774 to 1788.
- First Lady Recognition - Throughout American history, the First Lady has played an important role in hospitality. She serves and has served as hostess, adviser and, often, social activist – even before the Constitution of 1787. In 1776, George Washington served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army but he was not the President of the United States; John Hancock was the elected President of the Continental Congress and in that position he signed the Declaration of Independence. As President, Mr. Hancock was considered the new nation’s Head of State. The Commander-in-Chief’s wife, Martha Washington, and the Continental Congress President’s wife, Dorothy Hancock, each took on the responsibilities of providing hospitality to important figures of the day.
Loyola University New Orleans Faculty Exhibit Research Collection at DNC's Politicalfest |
Students and Teachers of US History this is a video of Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. The December 2015 video was an impromptu capture by a member of the audience of Penn students, professors and guests that numbered about 200.
Most U.S. Citizens know that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776, and that George Washington was the first U.S. President. Washington, however, did not take the oath as U.S. President until April 30th, 1789. So who, between July 1776 and April 1789 signed the ratified treaties on behalf of the United States? Who decided what measures were to be brought before the United States government for executive, judicial, and legislative action? Who presided over the unicameral congresses? Who presided over United States judicial matters such as state boundary disputes? Who officially received and entertained foreign diplomats for the United States? Who received all the official mail to the United States of America? Who signed and transmitted the federal orders to Commander-in-Chief George Washington during the Revolutionary War? Who headed the unicameral governments of the United Colonies and States of America? Who was the “Head of State” for the United States of America?
From the inception of the United Colonies of America in 1774 to the Revolutionary War’s concluding Definitive Treaty of Peace in 1784, the 13 British Colonies and later States formed confederations that fulfilled Montesquieu’s requisite for a republic, “degree of power as to be able to provide for the security of the united body. According, then, to the philosophe’s definition, a colonial republic began with the formation of an association titled, Continental Congress: United Colonies of America.
Alexander Hamilton, in the same Federalist letter of November 1787 in which he quotes Montesquieu, goes further by defining the United States of America as a confederacy, stating:
The definition of a confederate republic seems simply to be "an assemblage of societies," or an association of two or more states into one state. The extent, modifications, and objects of the federal authority are mere matters of discretion. So long as the separate organization of the members be not abolished; so long as it exists, by a constitutional necessity, for local purposes; though it should be in perfect subordination to the general authority of the union, it would still be, in fact and in theory, an association of states, or a confederacy. The proposed Constitution, so far from implying an abolition of the State governments, makes them constituent parts of the national sovereignty, by allowing them a direct representation in the Senate, and leaves in their possession certain exclusive and very important portions of sovereign power. This fully corresponds, in every rational import of the terms, with the idea of a federal government.
In Hamilton’s terms, then, a “confederacy” relies not just on a union of states under some form of federal authority, but likewise the retention by each of these states of their own governmental authorities, both subordinate to and “constituent parts of…national sovereignty.”
Finally, for our consideration, in 1788, United States in Congress Assembled Delegate James Madison in Federalist No XXXIX defined the word “republic,” placing clear emphasis on the derivation of its power from the people:
… we may define a republic to be, or at least may bestow that name on, a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior. It is essential to such a government that it be derived from the great body of the society, not from an inconsiderable proportion, or a favored class of it; otherwise a handful of tyrannical nobles, exercising their oppressions by a delegation of their powers, might aspire to the rank of republicans, and claim for their government the honorable title of republic. It is sufficient for such a government that the persons administering it be appointed, either directly or indirectly, by the people; and that they hold their appointments by either of the tenures just specified …[i]
Reflecting upon these definitions by Montesquieu, Hamilton and Madison; this book puts forth the proposition that there were three distinct republics that led to a fourth which is the current government of the United States. Each Republic is so delineated because it marks a divergent stage in the evolution of the United States; the names designated to each period are derived from the republic’s founding resolution or constitution, as follows:
- First United American Republic: United Colonies of America: Thirteen British Colonies United in Congress [ii] (September 4th, 1774 to July 1st, 1776) was founded by 12 colonies[iii] under the First Continental Congress and expired under the Second Continental Congress; [iv]
- Second United American Republic: The United States of America:[v] Thirteen Independent States United in Congress[vi] (July 2nd, 1776 to February 28th, 1781) was founded by 12 states[vii] in the Second Continental Congress and expired with the ratification of the Articles of Confederation;
With the four founding republics now identified, the following nomenclature, derived from the acts of three unicameral and one tripartite governing bodies, is offered for consideration:
- The First United American Republic Government: The United Colonies of America Continental Congress (U.C. Continental Congress),[xii] with the name “Continental Congress” being adopted in the Articles of Association[xiii] and “United Colonies of America” being derived from various relations enacted by the aforementioned U.C. Continental Congress;
- The Second United American Republic Government: The United States of America Continental Congress (U.S. Continental Congress),[xiv] with the name “Colonies” being changed to “States” by the Declaration of Independence;[xv]
- The Third United American Republic Government: The United States in Congress Assembled (USCA or Confederation Congress), with the name being adopted in the Articles of Confederation;[xvi]
- The Fourth United American Republic Government: The United States House of Representatives and Senate in Congress Assembled (Bicameral Congress), The President of the United States of America (U.S. President), United States Supreme Court (U.S. Supreme Court), with the names all adopted in the Constitution of 1787.[xvii] For the purpose of this book the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in Congress Assembled is abbreviated to the U.S. Bicameral Congress.
- Each Colony/State elected or appointed a delegation to the Continental Congress or constitutional government known as “The United States, in Congress Assembled;”
- Regardless of population or delegation size, each state had only one vote in both the Continental Congress and the United States, in Congress Assembled. Presidents were elected by a simple majority of the states in attendance once a quorum was formed;
- The confederation Presidents utilized their unicameral office to exercise much influence on United States public affairs and legislation. For example, The President, in conjunction with his state’s delegation, had one vote of thirteen in the unicameral government. Quite often, his “yes” or “no” represented 1/9th and sometimes 1/7th of all the votes required in quorums necessary to enact legislation under the Articles of Confederation;
- Each President presided, in a voting “Speaker of the House Capacity,” over the judicial, legislative and executive confederation business; Presidents also had the power to call for the confederation government’s assembly and adjournment;
- Presidents received, read, answered, and at their own discretion held or disseminated the official state and foreign correspondence; Presidents chaired the Committee of the States that governed the confederation when the congress was not in session; Presidents received visiting dignitaries at the Capitol as the Head of State extending the nation’s official hospitality; Presidents acted as judicial officers presiding over numerous cases including Federal Court Appeals, Death Penalty Appeals, Military trials and State boundary disputes; Presidents, although not serving as Commander-in-Chief, issued military orders and signed military commissions. They also executed diplomatic commissions, treaties, proclamations, resolutions, ordinances and loans;
- The government of the United States did provide for the President’s expenses, servants, clerks, housing, and transportation. Their home state provided for their salary only as a voting delegate.
Richard Henry Lee's Stratford Hall On the Half-Dollar Coin Act |
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello on the Half Dollar Coin Act |
College of William and Mary on the Half Dollar Coin Act |
U.S. Mint on the Half Dollar Coin Act |
Norwich, Connecticut
Gubernatorial Proclamation Declaring Samuel Huntington
the First President of the United States in Congress Assembled
|
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
September 5, 1774
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October 22, 1774
| |
October 22, 1774
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October 26, 1774
| |
May 20, 1775
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May 24, 1775
| |
May 25, 1775
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July 1, 1776
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September 5, 1774 | October 22, 1774 | |
October 22, 1774 | October 26, 1774 | |
May 20, 1775 | May 24, 1775 | |
May 25, 1775 | July 1, 1776 |
Continental Congress of the United States Presidents
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776 | October 29, 1777 | |
November 1, 1777 | December 9, 1778 | |
December 10, 1778 | September 28, 1779 | |
September 29, 1779 | February 28, 1781 |
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 | July 6, 1781 | |
July 10, 1781 | Declined Office | |
July 10, 1781 | November 4, 1781 | |
November 5, 1781 | November 3, 1782 | |
November 4, 1782 | November 2, 1783 | |
November 3, 1783 | June 3, 1784 | |
November 30, 1784 | November 22, 1785 | |
November 23, 1785 | June 5, 1786 | |
June 6, 1786 | February 1, 1787 | |
February 2, 1787 | January 21, 1788 | |
January 22, 1788 | January 21, 1789 |
R* Republican Party of Jefferson & W-Whig Party
(1789-1797) | 1861-1865 | (1933-1945) |
(1797-1801) | (1865-1869) | (1945-1953) |
(1801-1809) | (1869-1877) | (1953-1961) |
(1809-1817) | (1877-1881) | (1961-1963) |
(1817-1825) | (1881 - 1881) | (1963-1969) |
(1825-1829) | (1881-1885) | (1969-1974) |
(1829-1837) | (1885-1889) | (1973-1974) |
(1837-1841) | (1889-1893) | (1977-1981) |
(1841-1841) | (1893-1897) | (1981-1989) |
(1841-1845) | (1897-1901) | (1989-1993) |
(1845-1849) | (1901-1909) | (1993-2001) |
(1849-1850) | (1909-1913) | (2001-2009) |
(1850-1853) | (1913-1921) | (2009-2017) |
(1853-1857) | (1921-1923) | (2017-2021) |
Joseph Biden (D) | ||
(1857-1861) | (1923-1929) | 2021-Present |
*Confederate States of America | ||
(1861-1865) | (1929-1933) |
United Colonies Continental Congress | President | 18th Century Term | Age |
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745-1783) | 09/05/74 – 10/22/74 | 29 | |
Mary Williams Middleton (1741- 1761) Deceased | Henry Middleton | 10/22–26/74 | n/a |
Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745–1783) | 05/20/ 75 - 05/24/75 | 30 | |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830) | 05/25/75 – 07/01/76 | 28 | |
United States Continental Congress | President | Term | Age |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830) | 07/02/76 – 10/29/77 | 29 | |
Eleanor Ball Laurens (1731- 1770) Deceased | Henry Laurens | 11/01/77 – 12/09/78 | n/a |
Sarah Livingston Jay (1756-1802) | 12/ 10/78 – 09/28/78 | 21 | |
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794) | 09/29/79 – 02/28/81 | 41 | |
United States in Congress Assembled | President | Term | Age |
Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794) | 03/01/81 – 07/06/81 | 42 | |
Sarah Armitage McKean (1756-1820) | 07/10/81 – 11/04/81 | 25 | |
Jane Contee Hanson (1726-1812) | 11/05/81 - 11/03/82 | 55 | |
Hannah Stockton Boudinot (1736-1808) | 11/03/82 - 11/02/83 | 46 | |
Sarah Morris Mifflin (1747-1790) | 11/03/83 - 11/02/84 | 36 | |
Anne Gaskins Pinkard Lee (1738-1796) | 11/20/84 - 11/19/85 | 46 | |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830) | 11/23/85 – 06/06/86 | 38 | |
Rebecca Call Gorham (1744-1812) | 06/06/86 - 02/01/87 | 42 | |
Phoebe Bayard St. Clair (1743-1818) | 02/02/87 - 01/21/88 | 43 | |
Christina Stuart Griffin (1751-1807) | 01/22/88 - 01/29/89 | 36 |
Constitution of 1787 First Ladies | President | Term | Age |
April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797 | 57 | ||
March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801 | 52 | ||
Martha Wayles Jefferson Deceased | September 6, 1782 (Aged 33) | n/a | |
March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817 | 40 | ||
March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825 | 48 | ||
March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829 | 50 | ||
December 22, 1828 (aged 61) | n/a | ||
February 5, 1819 (aged 35) | n/a | ||
March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841 | 65 | ||
April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842 | 50 | ||
June 26, 1844 – March 4, 1845 | 23 | ||
March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849 | 41 | ||
March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850 | 60 | ||
July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853 | 52 | ||
March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857 | 46 | ||
n/a | n/a | ||
March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865 | 42 | ||
February 22, 1862 – May 10, 1865 | |||
April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869 | 54 | ||
March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877 | 43 | ||
March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881 | 45 | ||
March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881 | 48 | ||
January 12, 1880 (Aged 43) | n/a | ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889 | 21 | ||
March 4, 1889 – October 25, 1892 | 56 | ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889 | 28 | ||
March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901 | 49 | ||
September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909 | 40 | ||
March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913 | 47 | ||
March 4, 1913 – August 6, 1914 | 52 | ||
December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921 | 43 | ||
March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923 | 60 | ||
August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929 | 44 | ||
March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933 | 54 | ||
March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945 | 48 | ||
April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953 | 60 | ||
January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961 | 56 | ||
January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963 | 31 | ||
November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969 | 50 | ||
January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974 | 56 | ||
August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977 | 56 | ||
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981 | 49 | ||
January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989 | 59 | ||
January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993 | 63 | ||
January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001 | 45 | ||
January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009 | 54 | ||
Donald J. Trump Joseph R. Biden Jr. | January 20, 2009 - January 20, 2017 January 20, 2017 - January 20, 2021 January 20, 2021 - Present | 45 46 47 |
Philadelphia | Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774 | |
Philadelphia | May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776 | |
Baltimore | Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777 | |
Philadelphia | March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777 | |
Lancaster | September 27, 1777 | |
York | Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 | |
Philadelphia | July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783 | |
Princeton | June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783 | |
Annapolis | Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784 | |
Trenton | Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784 | |
New York City | Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788 | |
New York City | October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789 | |
New York City | March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790 | |
Philadelphia | Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800 | |
Washington DC | November 17,1800 to Present |
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Dr. Naomi and Stanley Yavneh Klos, Principals
U.S. Dollar Presidential Coin Mr. Klos vs Secretary Paulson - Click Here |
The United States of America Continental Congress Presidents (1776-1781)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled Presidents (1781-1789)
The United States of America Presidents and Commanders-in-Chiefs (1789-Present)