Among its first acts, the First Continental Congress sent a letter to General Gage; an address to the People of Great Britain; one to the People of Quebec; and a Petition to King George, setting forth the grievances of the American Colonists, the violations of their rights as free Englishmen, and asking for justice, but strongly urging a renewal of harmony and union between the Colonies and the Mother Country, England. American histories tell how King George disregarded that Petition. American histories, also, tell how William Pitt and other great English statesmen, nobly defended America, as you may see if you read the story of William Pitt, on page 93. WHAT A GLORIOUS MORNING! When Paul Revere came galloping into Lexington, after warning the countryside that the British were coming to seize the powder and shot, he roused Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were staying with friends. Paul Revere was come to warn them also; for the British General Gage had given orders for their arrest, and intended to send them to England to be tried for high treason. The British Government was specially afraid of John Hancock, one of the most daring and active of the Boston Patriots. “The terrible desperado,” he was called by that Government. While he and Samuel Adams were escaping from Lexington and hurrying across some fields Samuel Adams exclaimed:-- “Oh, what a glorious morning is this!” It was the morning of the Battle of Lexington, when the shot was fired that was heard round the world. After the Second Continental Congress opened, John Hancock was chosen to preside, while the Congress discussed how to defend the Country. JOHN TO SAMUEL New England was in arms. Lexington and Concord had been fought, and Boston was being besieged by the New England Army. The Congress was discussing the defense of the whole Country. There were some members who wished the Congress to take over the New England Army and appoint a Commander-in-Chief. It was then that John Adams met his cousin Samuel Adams, in the State House yard. This is the way John Adams tells it:-- “‘What shall we do to get Congress to adopt our Army?’ said Samuel Adams to John Adams. “‘I will tell you what I am determined to do,’ said John to Samuel. ‘I have taken pains enough to bring you to agree upon something; but you will not agree upon anything. And now I am determined to take my own way, let come what will come!’ “‘Well,’ said Samuel, ‘what is your scheme?’ “Said John to Samuel, ‘I will go to Congress this morning, and move that a day be appointed to take into consideration the adoption of the Army before Boston, the appointment of a General and officers; and I will nominate Washington for Commander-in-Chief!’” A GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA