The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Albany Congress

ALBANY CONGRESS, an assembly of representatives of the seven northern British-American colonies (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland), called together in 1754 by the British government to consult in regard to the threatening French war. It met 19 June, and two plans were proposed: (1) A league with the Five Nations, which was carried out; (2) a proposal offered by Franklin for a political union. In this a common president was proposed, and a great council representing the different colonies. The president was to be appointed by the Crown; to be also commander-in-chief, to commission all civil officers and appoint all military ones and have a veto on the council. The council was to consist of three-year members, two to seven from each colony; not to be adjourned or dissolved or kept over six weeks in session against its will; it could lay taxes, maintain troops, build forts, nominate civil officers, manage Indian affairs and authorize new settlements; and its acts were to be valid unless vetoed within three years by the Crown. This plan was rejected by the British Crown because it gave too much power to the colonies and by the colonies because it gave too much power to the Crown. The significance of this congress lies in the fact that it stimulated the union of the colonies which was afterward accomplished.