Career

In May, 1776, when I was 26 years old I was elected to be the representative from Orange County Virginia. I had to go to a state convention in Williamsburg. While I was there I listened to people talk about the Continenatal Congress. Other men were meeting in Philidelphia deciding what to do about Great Britian and all the problems. The Virginia state sent a representative to Philadelphia to deliver a message. We were to propose a Decleration of Independance to Great Britian. I was put on a committee to write a constitution for Virginia. My job was to make up a list of "inalienable rights". I didn't talk at the meeting at all. But, when it ended I wanted another political office. I decided to run for Virginia house of Delegates as the new Legislature. I didn't think I would win and I didn't do that much to get people to vote for me. I lost to a man who wanted it more then I did. After I lost I went back home. But, sometime later the House of Delegates elected me to fill a spot in the Council of State. The governor was in the council of state, his name was Patrick Henry. Thomas Jefferson was also in the Council of State. He was a 32 year old lawyer. Thomas and I, both didn't like Patrick Henry. Thomas and I later became best friends. In 1779 I was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. I was so excited because I had wanted it for along time. I was told to leave for Philadelphia immediatly. But, that day there was a snow storm and noone could travel for weeks. I was very upset because I couldn't get to Philadelphia. It was March 18,1880 when I finally got to go. We decided what to do while the war was going on. It was going very bad, some of the British soldiers had captured some of the Virginia house of Delegates members. After this America started wining battles and then finally British General, Charles Cornwallis surrenderd to our General George Washington.