Editing Benjamin Harrison V (section)

==Congressional delegate in Philadelphia==
In 1773, colonists protested the British tax on tea by destroying a shipment during the [[Boston Tea Party]]. While all of the colonies were inspired by the news, some patriots, including Harrison, had misgivings and believed the Bostonians had a duty to reimburse the [[East India Company]] for its losses at their hands. The British Parliament responded to the protest by enacting more punitive measures, which colonists called the [[Intolerable Acts]].{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=23}} Despite his qualms, Harrison was among 89 members of the Virginia Burgesses who signed a new association on May 24, 1774, condemning Parliament's action. The group also invited other colonies to convene a Continental Congress and called for a convention to select its Virginia delegates.{{sfn|Dowdey|1957|p=173}} At the [[Virginia Conventions|First Virginia Convention]], Harrison was selected on August 5, 1774, as one of seven delegates to represent Virginia at the Congress, to be located in [[Philadelphia]].{{sfn|Smith|1978|pp=24–25}}

Harrison set out that month, leaving his home state for the first time. He was armed with a positive reputation built in the House of Burgesses, which [[Edmund Randolph]] articulated to the Congress: "A favorite of the day was Benjamin Harrison. With strong sense and a temper not disposed to compromise with ministerial power, he scruples not to utter any untruth. During a long service in the House of Burgesses, his frankness, though sometimes tinctured with bitterness, has been the source of considerable attachment."{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=10}}
[[File:Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia, USA, May 2015.jpg|thumb|right|[[Carpenters' Hall]], location of the First Continental Congress]]
Harrison arrived in Philadelphia on September 2, 1774, for the [[First Continental Congress]]. According to biographer Smith, he gravitated to the older and more conservative delegates in Philadelphia; he was more distant from the New Englanders and the more radical, particularly [[John Adams|John]] and [[Samuel Adams]].{{sfn|Smith|1978|pp=37–39}} The genuine and mutual enmity between the Adams cousins and Harrison also stemmed from their [[Puritans|Puritan]] upbringing in aversion to human pleasures and Harrison's appreciation for bold storytelling, fine food, and wine.{{sfn|Adams|Adams|1851|p=35}} John Adams described Harrison in his diary as "another Sir [[John Falstaff]]," as "obscene," "profane," and "impious."{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=26}} However, he also recalled Harrison's comment that he was so eager to participate in the Congress that "he would have come on foot."{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=25}} Politically, Harrison aligned with [[John Hancock]] and Adams with [[Richard Henry Lee]], whom Harrison had adamantly opposed in the House of Burgesses.{{sfn|Smith|1978|pp=26–28}} Investments and commercial interests of the centrists such as [[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]], [[Thomas Willing]], [[Carter Braxton]], and Harrison informed their conservatism.<ref>Herbert James Henderson. (1974). ''Party politics in the Continental Congress.'' Series:Bicentennial of the American Revolution. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishers. p. 74. {{ISBN|0070281432}}.</ref>

In October 1774, Harrison signed the [[Continental Association]], an association with the other delegates dictating a boycott of exports and imports with Britain, effective immediately. This was modeled after the Virginia Association, which Harrison had earlier signed in his home state. The First Congress concluded that month with a [[Petition to the King]], signed by all delegates, requesting the king's attention to the colonies' grievances and restoration of harmony with the crown. Upon his return home, Harrison received a letter from [[Thomas Jefferson]] advising of his order for 14 sash windows from London just before the passage of the boycott and apologizing for his inability to cancel the order.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=28}}

In March 1775, Harrison attended a convention at St. John's Parish in [[Richmond, Virginia]], made famous by [[Patrick Henry|Patrick Henry's]] "[[Give me liberty or give me death!]]" speech. A defense resolution was passed by a vote of 65–60 for raising a military force. It represented Virginia's substantial step in transitioning from a colony to a commonwealth. Biographer Smith indicates Harrison was probably in the minority, though he was named to a committee to carry the resolution into effect. He was also re-elected as a delegate to the new session of the Continental Congress.{{sfn|Smith|1978|p=29}}