[BroJoeK]

DiogenesLamp: "And so you are going to argue that they were operating under the authority of a 'Governing Document' that hadn't yet been ratified? "

The First Continental Congress began meeting in 1774, the Second Continental Congress in 1775.
They both operated without an official constitution, or "Governing Document" until the Articles of Confederation were formally ratified in 1781.
But Founders did use the Articles, as a sort of beta version, before full ratification.

And I would remind you that Great Britain to this day has no official constitution or "Governing Document" and yet has somehow managed.
Likewise with our Founders.
They all believed a Constitution was important, and should be written & ratified, yet it was not their most urgent priority.
Winning their war for independence came first.

Nothing in their Declaration of Independence served to define, limit or authorize structures for the Continental Congress, and yet somehow they managed.

[rockrr]

DegenerateLamp is stuck on an “chicken vs.egg” conundrum and is revealing his ignorance at biology as well.

[DiogenesLamp]

The First Continental Congress began meeting in 1774, the Second Continental Congress in 1775.

As Representatives of the Colonies meeting with each other under the British National government.

They both operated without an official constitution, or "Governing Document" until the Articles of Confederation were formally ratified in 1781.

A Characteristic of an Independent government is foreign Diplomacy; The sending of Diplomats to foreign governments to establish the fact that they are a new and distinct nation from their parent.

Benjamin Franklin was the first Diplomat, and he left for France October 26, 1776. You will note this is *AFTER* the Declaration of Independence, and his mission represents the government of a New Nation exercising the powers of national government which were the consequence of it's independence from England.

Not possible prior to the Declaration.