Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1832-03-29
JOHN ADAMs-GEo. wAsnNCroN.

A correspondent Of the Dsily Advestisr I'D
Patriot, relsles the followinx Aneedoses eooseee-
ed with the sppsutmens of Gen. Washisgtoa %
the commaad q the army, June &c, i77s.
In = manuscript Journal, under dste q Nov. =,
1888, find . recoci Of . conversation hsd With
the venerable John Adams, n th.t time, reiseivs
to the appointment OF Gen. Wsshisgtoa. Il was
in substance rs follows
The army was assembled at Cam.
bridge, Mass. under Gen. Ward, and
Congress WAS sitting at iiadelphia.
Every day arrived new applications in
behalf Of the army. The country were
urgent that Congress should adopt tie
army; for until they had, il must be
considered, and was in Law considered,
only - mob. band Of armed rebels.
The country was placed in circum-
stances Of peculiar delicacy and dan.
ger. The struggle had begun, and
yet every thing was at loose ends.-
The great trial now seemed 10 be this
question, -sOho shau be commander. IN
chief? II was exceedingly important,
and was felt to be the hinge on which
the whole might turn for or against Ne.
The southern and middle States, warm
and rapid in their zeal, for the most
part, were jealous Of New England,
because they felt that the real physical
force was here. What then, was to
be done! All New England adOred
Gen. Ward he had been in the French
var, and had come out laden with
laurels. He was 4 scholar and gen
tleman. All the qualifications seem.
ed to cluster in him; and it was con-
fidsntly believed the army could not
receive any commander over him.
What then, would be done Difficult
ties thickened at every step. The strug-
gle was to be long aud bloody. With.
out union all was lost. Union was
strength. The country and the whole
country must come in. One pulsation
must break through all hearts. The
cause was one and the arm must be
one. The members had talked, de.
bated. considered and guessed, and
yet the decisive step had not been n
ken. AT length Mr.. Adams came 10
his conclusion, and the manner Of de.
veloping il was nearly a. follows -
He was walking one morning before
Congress Hall. apparently in deep
thought, when his cousin Samr Adams
came up to him and said, what j.
the topic with you this morning. eou.
sinF 'Oh the army, the armyp he
replied. i am determined what to
do about the army at Cambridge, be
continued-'I am determined to "a
into the hall this morning, aud enter
on full detail Of the state Of the CO.
lonies in order TO show the absolute
need Of taking some decisive steps. -
My whole aim will be TO induce Con
gress to appoint day for adopting the
army as the legal army of these United
Colonies Of North America and then
TO hiEt at my selection Of commander.
in-chief.' We'll, said Sam't Adams,
q like that, cousin John; but on
whom have you fixed as this comman
derP en- tell you, George Wash.
iugton, Of Virgins. a member Of this
House Oh replied Sam'l Adams,
quickly, that will never do, never,
never Ii Rsusf do, il shaiY,' said
John. 'and for these reasons; the
Southern and Middle States are 10Th
to enter heartily into the cause, and
their arguments are poient;--power in
her hands, and they fear the result
A New England Army,s New England
commander, with New England perse
verancs, all united appal them. For
this cause they hang back. Now, Oh,
only way is, TO allsy their fears, and
give them nothing TO complain Of; and
this can be done in no other way but
by appointing q Southern chief Ovel
this force. Then all will feel secure,
then ell will rush 10 the standard. -
This policy will blend Us in one mass
and that msss will be resistiess.' Al
this Samuel A. seemed greatly moved.
They talked over the preliminary cir
cumstsneeS. and John asked his eou
sin TO second his motion. Mr. Adams
vent IN, took the floor and put forth al
bis strength in the delineations he hat
prepared, all aiming 1T the adoption o.
the army. lie VAS ready 20 own ths
army, appoint q commander, vote sup
plies and proceed 20 business. Ate
this speech, some doubled, some oh
Iieeted, and some feared. Ills warmth
mounted With the occasion. sod 10 81
their doubts and esitstions here piled
''Gen'lemsn. Il this Congress will no
adopi this army, before ten moons hav,
set, New Eogiand will have = Cen
grsssofheT own which will sdopt il, an,
she, che will undertake, che struggl,
alone. zee. With strong arm aud
clear conscience will front the foe a
lone"
This hsd the desired effect. The,
saw y. +. Vas Dot playing. and va
not 10 be played eth: they agreed .,
appoint DAY. The day Sss Fixed. =
" came, Mr. Adams went in, tool
the ncor, urged tie measure. and ate
debate u passed. The next thing va
% get lawlul commander for aha