These acts were designed to punish and break the spirit of the colonists. Unfortunately, like other laws passed before, it brought the settlers together. As a result, the First Continental Congress was formed by twelve of the thirteen colonies to organize a boycott of British commerce and affirm the fundamental natural rights of the colonists: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The delegates expressed the desire that the colonies maintain their loyalty to the crown while pursuing autonomy, not independence. However, this meeting was important because it can be considered one of the first concerted efforts of the American colonies to unite under a common cause for secession from the British..