Thomas jefferson was not a good speaker. but he could write. so the continental congress gave him a job. seventeen days later, he brought them the first draft of the declaration of independence. read the dictionary entry. continental (kahn-tuh-nen-tl) adj. 1. (with capital letter) of the mainland of europe 2. (with a capital letter) of the 13 original american colonies 3. of a continuous mass of land 4. of the continent of north america a. 1. (with capital letter) of the mainland of europe b. 2. (with a capital letter) of the 13 original american colonies c. 3. of a continuous mass of land d. 4. of the continent of north america