Questions about the continental congress

Factual Questions
1

I am watching the John Adams miniseries which is very interesting.
Here are some questions.
Why did the British allow the continental congress to convene? Was there no some chief British overlord for the thirteen colonies? Other British colonies has governor such as in Jamaica or in Upper and Lower Canada. How is that the king allowed a separate governing body to convene within its own kingdom?

In the second continental congress there was the establishment of a continental army. Surely this is akin to a declaration of war yet none of the members of the congress said, “This is going to far, I support the king. I’m outta here!”
Would not a king with a stronger arm have nipped this whole revolution in the bud?

Thanks in advance

2

  • there was no overlord. The 13 colonies were treated as discrete entities with their own governors

  • there were plenty of people not in favor of rebellion. They were not among those likely to attend the congress.

  • I suspect that the idea of a viable rebellion was not considered likely back in London