Litchfield enquirer., 1832-03-15
From the Boston Chronicle and Patriot.

In a manuscript Journal, under date of Nov. 4, 1925, find arecord ofd conver- sation had with the venerable John Ad- ans, at that time, relative to the appoint ment of General Washington. It was in substance as follows:
 The army was assembled at Cambridge, Mass. under Gen. Ward, and Congress was sitting at Philadelphia. Everyday arrived new applications in behalf of the army. The country were urgent that Congress should adopt the army; for un- til they had, it must be considered and was in law considered only as a mob, band of armed rebels. The country was placed in circumstances of peculiar deIicacy and danger. Tine struggle had begun, and yet every thing was at loose ends. The great trial now seemed to be in this ques- tion,-,0hO shOuld Dc commander m chief? It was exceedingly important, and was felt to be. the hinge on which the whole might turn for or against us. The Southern and Middle States, warm and rapid in their zeal, for the most part, were jealous ot New England, because they felt that the real physical force was here. What, then was to be done? All New England ador- ed Gen. Ward he had been in the French war, and had come out laden with laurels. He was scholar and q gentleman. All the qualifications seemed to cluster in him; and it was confidently believed the army could not receive any commander over him. What then was to be done? Diff culties thickened at every step. The struggle was to be long and bloody. With
 
 The country aud the whole country must come in. One puIsation must break through all hearts. The cause was one and the arm must be one. The members had talked, debated, considered and guess ed, and yet the decisive step had not been taken. At length Mr. Adams came to his conclusion, and the manner of developing it was nearly as follows: He was walking one morning before Congress Hall. appa- rently in deep thought, when his cousin Samuel Adams came up to him and said, !" What is the topic with you this morning, Cousin 2" Oh the army, the army" he replied, l" I am determined what to do a. bout the army at Cambridge" he continu- ed-"I am determined to go into the hall this morning and enter on a full detail of the state of tho Colonies, in order 10 show the absolute need of taking some decisive steps. My whole aim will he to induce Congress toRppnint a day for adopting the army as the legal army of these United Colonies of North America i; and then 10 hint at my election of commander m. chief" "Well," said Saml Adams, "I like that cousin John but on whom have yen fixed as this commander ?'' "I'll tell you, George Washington, of Virginia, a mem bcr of this house." "Ob," replied s. A.. quickly, "that will never dc, ,never, ,never." ," " It must do, it shall do," said John, " and for these reasons; the Southern and Mid de States are 10th to enter heartily info the cause. and their arguments are potent; they see that New England holds the phys.
 cal power in her hands, and they fear the' result. A new England army, new Eng land commander, with New England per- severence, all united appal them. For this cause they hung back. Now, the of- ly way is, to allay their fears, and give them nothing to complain of; and this cansbe done in no other way but by appolntnga a Southern chief over this force. Then all will feel secure, then all rush to the stand- ard. This policy will blend us in one mass, and that mass will be resistless. w. At this S. A. seemed greatly moved.- They talked over the preliminary circum- stances, and John asked his consin to se- cond his motion. MT. Adams went ing took the floor and put forth all his strength in the delincations he had prepared, all aiming at the army. He was ready to own the army, appoint a commander, vote supplies and proceed to business. After his speech some doubted, some objected, and some feared. His warmth mountsa with the occasion, and to all these dOubts and hesi.atons he replieds" Gentlemen, if Congress will not adopt this army before ten moons have set, Now England will have Congress of her own which wiH a- dopt it, and she, she will undertake the struggle alone, yes, with strong arm and clear conscience will front the foe alone" This had the desired effect. They saw N. E. was not playing, and was not 70 be played with j, they agreed to appoint a day. The day was fixed. ltcame. MT. Adams went in, took the floor. urged the measure, and after debate it passed. The next thing was to get a lawful commander for this lawful army, with supplies, &c.- All looked to MT. Adams on this occasion {; and he was ready. He took the floor, and went into a minute delineation ofthe char actcr of Gen. Ward, bestowing on him { she en;thets vbich.. then. belonged tO no