the relief of Boston, securing Colonial rights, eventually restoring harmonious relations with Great Britain, and repealing taxes, they overachieved their mission goals, defeated the largest army and navy in the world, and created two new types of republic. Olsen suggests that the Congress, if slow, when judged by its many achievements – not the least being recognizing its flaws, then replacing and terminating itself – was a success. Timeline 1774 September 5: First Continental Congress convenes at Philadelphia's Carpenter's Hall October 14: Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress is adopted October 18: Continental Association is adopted October 25: First Petition to the King is signed October 26: Congress adjourns, resolving to reconvene the following May if grievances were not redressed 1775 April 19: War begins at the Battles of Lexington and Concord May 10: Second Continental Congress convenes at Philadelphia's State House June 14: Congress establishes the Continental Army June 15: Congress appoints one of its members, George Washington, as commander of the Continental Army July 1: King George III addresses Parliament, stating they will "put a speedy end" to the rebellion July 6: Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms is approved July 8: Second petition to the king (the Olive Branch Petition) is signed and sent to London August 23: In his Proclamation of Rebellion (officially titled "A Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition"), King George III declares elements of the American colonies in "open and avowed rebellion" and orders officials of the British Empire "to use their utmost endeavours to withstand and suppress such rebellion" October 13: Congress establishes the Continental Navy November 10: Congress establishes the Continental Marines 1776 January 10: Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense June 7: Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presents a three-part resolution to Congress, calling on Congress to declare independence, form foreign alliances, and prepare a plan of colonial confederation June 10: Congress votes on June 10 to postpone further discussion of Lee's resolution for three weeks to allow time for the delegates to confer with their state assemblies June 11: Congress appoints a "Committee of Five", Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut and Robert R. Livingston of New York, to draft a declaration justifying independence. June 12: Congress appoints a Committee of Thirteen to draft of a constitution for a union of the states July