Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-29

England Note III payment OF one OF Ills o',''
doubt crossed the mind "f the gentleman 10 WYNN
it was rendered, and some surprise oeihs tAP'e''
ed, the guilty man became alarmed. anu "'"o
diateIy made his escape from the city-no' now
ever. as is understood, until he had substantial
" admitted his guilt; an admission which is con-
frmed bv his answering exactly to the descrP-
tio, given IN the advertisement, and by his pre-.
cipitate flight 1t is not certainly known what
course he has taken, but an impression prevails
that he went of i'm q vessel bound To Havana
From the l'oston Dali, advertiser and Patriot
anecdotes connected Nth ihe appointment Of Ge.
neral Hashingion TO- the command Of The mr.
my, June 16, 1775.
In manuscript Journal. under date OF No
yember 4th. 1926, find record of conversa-
ton had with the venerable John Adams. at that
time, relative to the appointment Of Gen Wash
ington. 1t was in substance as follows
The armv was assembled at Cambridge. Mass.
under Gen. Ward. and Congress was sitting at
Ph,Iadel phia. Every day arrived new apPca-
tions in behalf of the army. The country were
urgent that Congress should adopt the army; for
until they had, it must be considered. and was in
law considered, ONLY as a mob, band OF armed
rebels. The country was placed in circumstan-
ces Of peculiar delcacy and danger. The srus-
gle had began, and yet every thing was at Loose
ends. The great trial now seemed to be in this
que stion-Who should be commanderin Chief!
1t was exceedingly important. and was fcit to be
the hinge on which the whole might turn tor or
against us. 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 benin the French war. and
had come out laden with laurels. tie was scho-
lar and gentleman. All the qualifications seem
ed to cluster IN him; and it was confidently be-
lieved the army could not receive any commander
over him. What, then, was to be done! Diff
cuIties thickened at every step. The struggle
was to be long and bloody. Without union all
was lost. Union was strength. The country
and the whole country must come in. One pull
satun must break through all hearts. The cause
was one, and the arm must be one. The men,
bers had talked. debated, considered, and CUES
sed, and vet the decisive step had not been ia.
ken. At length Mr.. Adams came to his cOnclu-
sion. and the manner of developing it was nearly
as follows: He was walking one morning before
Congress Hall, apparently in deep thought, when
his cousin, Samuel Adams came up to him, and
said, {" What is the topic with you this morning,
ed. ~ am determined what to do about the
nv at Cambridge" he continued" am deter.
mined to 90 into the hall this morning. and en-
ter on full detail Of the state Of the Colonies. IN
order to show the absolute need Of taking some
decisive steps. NV whole aim will be to induce
Congress to appoint day for adopting the army
as the legal army of these United Colonies Of
North America; and then to hint at my election
ola commander.in-chef.'' Well" said Sam'l
Adams, :. like that. cousin John; but on whom
have you fixed as this commander" "l'll tell
you-George Washington. of Virginia, member
of this house {" Is Oh" replied Samuel Adams,
quickly, :. that will never do, never. never
I" 1t must do, il shall do.' said John. and for
these reasons; the Southern and Middle States
are 10th to enter heartily into the cause and their
arguments are potent: they see that New Eng
land holds the physical power in her hands. and
they fear the result A New England army, a
New England commander, with New England
cause they hang back. Now, the only way is, to
alay their fears, and give them nothing to com
plain Of; and this can be done in no other way but
bv appointing Southern chief over this force
Then all will feel secure then all will rush to the
standard This policy will blend US in one mass.
and that mass will be resstess - At this Sam.
A. seemed greatly moved. They talked over
the preliminary circumstances, and John asked
his cousin to second his motion. Mr.. Adams
went took the floor and put forth all his strength
in the delneatIous he had prepared, all aiming
at the adoption Of the army. He was ready to
own the army, appoint commander, vote sup.
plies and proceed to business. After his speech
some doubted, some objected and some feared.
His warmth mounted with the occasion, and TO
all these doubts and hesitations he replied, ''Gen-
tlemen, if this Congress will not adopt this army
before ten moons have set, New England will have
a Congress OF her'own, with will adopt it, and
she, she will undertake the struggle alone, yes,
with strong arm and a clear conscience will
front the foe al0ne.'
This had the desired effect. They saw N f was
not playing, and was not to be played with; thev
agreed to appoint day. The day was fixed
1t came. Mr.. Adams went in, took the floor,
urged the measure. and after debate it passed.
The next thing was to get lawful commander
for this lawful army, with supplies, SC. All
looked to MIR Adams on this occasion; and he
was ready. He took the floor, AMI went into a