The Second Continental Congress was the second meeting of the colonies' delegates in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775. The delegates, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, were elected in part by colonial assemblies and in part by the provincial congresses that had sprung up to replace those rebellious legislatures dissolved by royal governors. The Congress commissioned Washington to organize a continental army and assume responsibility for the siege of Boston. It formulated regulations for the conduct <span>for trade; issued paper money; and sent emissaries abroad to negotiate with foreign powers for financial, diplomatic, and military assistance. Most of the delegates, including Washington , still hoped for reconciliation with Britain, but by the end of 1775 this possibility had faded. In August the British monarch had issued a proclamation " for suppressing rebellion and sedition " in the colonies and in September had hired 20,000 Hessians. Two days later Congress approved a formal Declaration of Independence. It caused war against Britain.</span>
They wanted to ensure that the citizens of their state were granted basic rights, such as the freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury.
