This paper is on the book John Hancock: Merchant King and American Patriot, written by Harlow Giles Unger. This book discusses how John Hancock was not only a merchant king but also an American patriot. I will discuss his later years of life after the merchant years and how he became an American Patriot, and a founding father of this great country.
Hancock's first big accomplishment here in America came when John Adams, with the support of Washington, elected John Hancock for presidency. He elected him because of his personal sacrifices and because of his years of experience as moderator at Boston town meetings, in Massachusetts House of Representatives, and latter, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. .
Congress elected John Hancock unanimously; John called his election as the president of Congress "the greatest honor of his life". He was the perfect president for congress at this time because he had some appeal to all factions but favoritism for none. He would try to understand everyone's point of view and he appealed to all. His experience as moderator and legislator appealed to moderates. His wealth, education, and business position appealed to conservatives. Hancock's defiance of British authority in Boston appealed to the radicals. Thus, he appealed to all in congress for those reasons. Also, because of his vast experience directing a large organization, namely the House of Hancock. .
For his first month as president he tried to pick men from disparate delegations to work together in committees so they stayed focused and motivated to keep on schedule. He would have to prevent defections, sooth hurt feelings, and calm heated arguments between delegates along the way. At this time Congress had decided to raise six groups of riflemen in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to march to New England. Hancock appointed a five-man committee to draft rules for the administration of the army.
