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.
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.
At the 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.

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 provided 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."

Harrison arrived in Philadelphia on September 2, 1774 for the First Continental Congress.
According to biographer Howard Smith, he gravitated to the older and more conservative delegates in Philadelphia, and was more distant with the New Englanders and the more radical, particularly John and Samuel Adams.
The genuine and mutual enmity between the Adams cousins and Harrison also stemmed from their puritan upbringing in aversion to human pleasures and Harrison's appreciation for bold storytelling, fine food, and wine.
John Adams described Harrison in his diary as "another Sir John Falstaff," as "obscene," "profane," and "impious."
However, he also recalled Harrison's comment that he was so eager to participate in the congress that "...he would have come on foot."
Politically, Harrison aligned with John Hancock, and Adams with Richard Henry Lee, whom Harrison had adamantly opposed in the House of Burgesses.

Harrison in October 1774 signed an association with other delegates dictating a boycott of both exports and imports with Britain, effective immediately.
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 the latter's order for 14 sash windows in London just prior to the passage of the boycott, and apologizing for his inability to cancel the order.

In March of 1775, Harrison attended a convention at St. John's Parish in Richmond, Virginia, made famous by Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty, or give me death!"
speech.
A defense resolution was passed by a vote of 65–60 for the raising of a military force.
It represented a substantial step for Virginia in its transition 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.
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. 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. At the 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. 
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 provided 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."
Harrison arrived in Philadelphia on September 2, 1774 for the First Continental Congress. According to biographer Howard Smith, he gravitated to the older and more conservative delegates in Philadelphia, and was more distant with the New Englanders and the more radical, particularly John and Samuel Adams. The genuine and mutual enmity between the Adams cousins and Harrison also stemmed from their puritan upbringing in aversion to human pleasures and Harrison's appreciation for bold storytelling, fine food, and wine. John Adams described Harrison in his diary as "another Sir John Falstaff," as "obscene," "profane," and "impious." However, he also recalled Harrison's comment that he was so eager to participate in the congress that "...he would have come on foot." Politically, Harrison aligned with John Hancock, and Adams with Richard Henry Lee, whom Harrison had adamantly opposed in the House of Burgesses.
Harrison in October 1774 signed an association with other delegates dictating a boycott of both exports and imports with Britain, effective immediately. 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 the latter's order for 14 sash windows in London just prior to the passage of the boycott, and apologizing for his inability to cancel the order.
In March of 1775, Harrison attended a convention at St. John's Parish in Richmond, Virginia, made famous by Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech. A defense resolution was passed by a vote of 65–60 for the raising of a military force. It represented a substantial step for Virginia in its transition 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.
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