House of Burgesses call continental congress

Historical Context Note

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In 1774 the Virginian House of Burgesses, the first legislature anywhere in the British colonies in America, elected delegates to the Continental Congress. The Congress, consisting of delegates from the 13 British colonies, would become the governing body of the US during the American Revolution. The House of Burgesses had come into conflict with the governor of the Colony of Virginia, John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore (1732 - 1809), over the issue of fair treatment and taxes for the colonies. Dunmore repeatedly dissolved the House in an attempt to control the colonists, but could not successfully suppress them.

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12968 House of Burgesses call continental congress 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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