With the war underway, Hancock made his way to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia with the other Massachusetts delegates. On May 24, 1775, he was unanimously elected President of the Continental Congress, succeeding Peyton Randolph after Henry Middleton declined the nomination. Hancock was a good choice for president for several reasons. He was experienced, having often presided over legislative bodies and town meetings in Massachusetts. His wealth and social standing inspired the confidence of moderate delegates, while his association with Boston radicals made him acceptable to other radicals. His position was somewhat ambiguous because the role of the president was not fully defined, and it was not clear if Randolph had resigned or was on a leave of absence. Like other presidents of Congress, Hancock's authority was mostly limited to that of a presiding officer. He also had to handle a great deal of official correspondence, and he found it necessary to hire clerks at his own expense to help with the paperwork.
wITh tHE war uNDErway, hAncOck MaDe hIs wAy to the conTinEntAL coNGReSs in PHiLadElphiA With thE othER massachusetts deleGatES. oN may 24, 1775, he Was unAnImouSLy electED PrEsiDenT oF the cOntiNentAl congReSS, succeEDing pEyTon ranDolph aFTer henrY MiddlETon deCliNEd the noMinatioN. HancocK was a good choiCe FOR president FOr SeveraL reAsons. he wAs exPerienced, Having Often PreSidEd ovER lEGiSLaTiVE bodiEs aNd town meetIngs in massAcHuSEttS. hiS wealth aND social stANding inSpIRED thE coNfIdeNcE of MODerate DElegAtes, While His AsSoCiAtIon wITh bosTOn radicALs made hiM aCceptabLE to other raDicaLS. His poSitiOn was somewhat aMBiguOUS beCAuSe tHE ROle oF tHE president was noT Fully defiNed, and It was nOt clear If rAndolph had REsigneD or wAS on A lEave oF AbSeNce. LIke Other PrEsideNTs OF conGress, hANcock's AuThOrITy was mostly LimitED To thaT oF a PresiDINg OffIcer. He alSo hAd to handle A GrEaT deal oF official CorrESpOndEncE, AnD he Found it necesSarY To hIre clerKs at his owN exPeNse To helP with The paperwork.