The “John Hanson” to whom you refer was one of several presidents (14, 2-of whom served two terms) of the Continental Congress. He was, however, president when the ‘Articles of Confederation’ were ratified. While the Articles of Confederation did ‘create’ the United States, it served as a work-in-progress to the U.S. Constitution, which specified how the Country was to work/function.
Before it became fully functional, the Bill-of-Right were added, as well as, the establishment of a U.S.President, Congress, Judiciary and duties.
Hence, the estabilshment of the 1st President of the United States.