Albany Plan of Union

Albany Plan of Union As delegates to the Albany Congress, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Hutchinson offered a proposal to unite the thirteen colonies on 19 June 1754. Their plan would have established a grand council composed of members elected by their legislatures in proportion to tax collections in each province, plus a president general named by the king to perform executive duties between council sessions. The government would have authority over Indian affairs and military defense, and could require the colonies to provide funds (in emergencies) according to a prearranged formula. Approved at Albany on 10 July, this plan of union was rejected (or ignored) by all the colonies. Despite the imminence of a war with the French, no assembly was willing to surrender any of its local autonomy—especially over taxes—to an outside legislative body.