They also had to name a commanding general, with each group eager to name a worthy person from its state. They agreed that the most qualified person should get the top job and others the other jobs. When it became clear that not many delegates had any military experience, New Englanders won nine of the subsidiary positions. Hancock acclaimed his golden colonel's uniform and believed that because of his service on the Boston Common with the Corps of Cadets, it made him best for the job of commander in chief, and eventually he was nominated. John Adams, who at the time was friends with John Hancock, opposed the choice because he thought George Washington would be better, due to the fact that Washington commanded the Virginia militia for nearly five years during the French and Indian War. So instead of nominating his friend, Hancock, Adams nominated George Washington. This upset John Hancock and he no longer considered Adams a friend, rather, he responded by removing John Adams off of committees. After this Washington was elected for the position over Hancock. Washington accepted the position but declined the monthly 500 dollars, instead asked congress to pay for all his expenses. While Washington went off to fight Hancock stayed and tried his hardest to be the best president of congress he could be by signing resolutions, such as the Olive branch petition, or the Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking Up Arms. It restated that colonists were willing to fight and die rather than submit to the British Parliament and feel enslaved. .
Hancock dealt with money problems by asking congress to consider practical matters, such as raising money, forming troops for the Continental Army and establishing basic governmental intuitions. Congress allowed 2 million in bills of credit to be printed and distributed, which didn't mean much to the members of the army. To prevent the revolution from stalling, Hancock and other rich congress members made large donations for supplies for the army.