John Hanson: The Real Father of his Country?

By: Matthew Spence

John Hanson was descended from a long and proud line of patriots. His great-grandfather died in Lutzen beside the great King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. His grandfather was one of the founders of New Sweden along the Delaware River in Maryland, one of his nephews was George Washington's military secretary, two others were signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, respectively, another was Governor of Maryland during the Revolution, yet another was a member of the first Congress. Two sons were killed while serving with the Continental Army, a grandson served as a member of Congress under the Constitution, and another was a Maryland Senator. So it wasn't too surprising that Hanson would have made his own contribution to his country.

Hanson was self-taught in the classics, and was inspired by Anselm and Seneca, two great philosophical influences on the Reformation, to support the patriotic cause. In 1775, he was elected to the Provincial Legislature of Maryland, and went on to become a member of congress in 1777, where he became known as a brilliant administrator. It is at around this point that his Presidential career began.

When the Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781, the newly formed United States needed someone to run the country. The Articles had actually been proposed back in 1776, but weren't agreed upon by congress until November, 1777. Maryland refused to sign on until Virginia and New York ceded their western lands, out of the fear that these states would become too powerful. John Hanson was chosen by Congress as the first Chief Executive after all the other potential candidates refused to run against him because of his fame and influence in Congress.

Hanson had a difficult job ahead of him. The role of the Presidency was poorly defined, and his actions set several precedents for all future Presidents. Having taken office just as the Revolutionary War ended, his first task was to calm down the troops that were demanding to be paid, and who threatened to overthrow the new government and put Washington in its place as their King. He somehow managed to keep this from happening, and as such probably prevented the United States from becoming another monarchy.

He then ordered all foreign troops and flags out of the country. This was no mean feat either, considering how many European countries had heavy financial and political stakes in the Americas. Hanson created the Great Seal of the United States, which has been required use on official documents by all Presidents since. He also established the first Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, the first Post Office, the first Foreign Affairs Department, and the first Cabinet, which included Benjamin Franklin as the first Secretary of State. He also declared that the fourth Thursday of November to be Thanksgiving Day, a tradition which has lasted ever since.

Hanson's accomplishments were indeed remarkable, considering that the Articles of Confederation only allowed a President to serve a one-year term during any three-year period. Like many of the Founding Fathers, he was opposed to the Constitution, and remained a staunch anti-Federalist until his death.

Six other Presidents followed Hanson-Elias Boudint (1783), Thomas Mifflin (1784), Richard Henry Lee (1785), Nathan Gorman (1786), Arthur St. Clair (1787), and Cyrus Griffin (1788). The reason we don't hear about Hanson or the others is that the Articles of Confederation just didn't work well. The states couldn't agree on anything, so the Constitution was created to really bring the country together under the law.

Hanson soon fell into obscurity after his death, and little about him personally has survived. Yet it could be argued that he, and not Washington, should rightfully be remembered as the Father of his Country, one who set an example for Washington and all others since to follow.

Copyright 2003.