Page "Stephen Hopkins (politician)" Paragraph 31

Hopkins was again elected as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, which met on 10 May 1775 following the April attacks on Concord and Lexington.

This congress convened to manage the war effort, and eventually declare independence from Great Britain.

In July 1775 a national postal system, devised by William Goddard, was adopted, with Benjamin Franklin appointed as the first Postmaster General.

This was an idea that had already been implemented in Rhode Island a month earlier.

In December 1775 Hopkins was on a committee to report a plan for furnishing the colonies with naval armament.

His knowledge of the shipping business made him particularly useful as a member of the naval committee established by Congress to purchase, outfit, man and operate the first ships of the new Continental Navy.

Through his participation on that committee, Hopkins was instrumental in framing naval legislation and drafting the rules and regulations necessary to govern the fledgling organization during the American War for Independence.

The first American naval squadron was launched on 18 February 1776.

Hopkins used his influence to secure the position of commander in chief of the new navy for his brother Esek Hopkins, an appointment that proved to be unfortunate.