He was certain that New England would remain united and decided in the struggle, but he was not so sure of the other colonies.

To have a leader from beyond New England would make for continental unity.

Virginia, next to Massachusetts, had stood in the forefront of the movement, and Virginia was fortunate in having in the Congress one whose fame as a soldier ran through all the colonies.

There was something to be said for choosing a commander from the colony which began the struggle and Adams knew that his colleague from Massachusetts, John Hancock, a man of wealth and importance, desired the post.

He was conspicuous enough to be President of the Congress.