Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-03-15
George Washington.

Anecdotes related by John Adams, senior. =
The,following account of the appointment OF
General Washington to the supreme command
of the continental army, June 18th, l77o, has
been placed in our hands by gentleman in
whose veracity we have full confidence We
cannot doubt The authenticity Of the anecdotes
he gives. This subject has Of late years been
broug ght before The public under various versions,
and has in every shape attracted attention The
private journal, narratlng conversation win
John Adams, senior, before that great and good
man was called TO his final rest. The relation
is more in detail than that which has hitherto
been made public but ii substantially corrobo-
rales the former versions of the causes which
led in the appointment of Washington. Lest
we should in any way effect The anecdote, we
Give j, in the words of the narrator.
The army was assembled at Cambridge,
Mass. under Gen. Ward, and Congress was
sitting at Philadelphia Every day, new appIl-
cations IN behalf of The army arrived. The
country was urgent that Congress should legal
ize the raising of the army cs they had, what
must be considered and was in law considered,
only mob, hand Of armed rebels. The
country was placed in circumstances OF pecu-
liar difficulty and danger. The struggle had
begun, and every thing was without order
The great trial now seemed 10 be IN this ques-
lion. Who shall be the commander-ln-chl
1t was exceedingly important, and was telt TO
be the hinge on which the contest might iurn
for or agains; US.
The Southern and Middle States, warm and
rapid in their zeal for the most part, were Jeal-
Gus of New England, because they felt the real
physical force was there; what then wasio be
done All New England adored Gen. Ward {;
he had been in the French war, and went out
laden with Iaurels He was a scholar and
statesman Every qualification seemed 10 cius-
ter in him; and il was confidently believed that
The army could not receive any appointment
over him. What then was 10 be done? Diff
cul,ies thickened at every step. The struggle
was to be long and bloody. Without union, all
was lost The country and the whole country
must come in. One pulsation must beat through
all hearts. The cause was one, and the army
mus, be one The members had talked, deba-
ted, considered and guessed, and yet the decl-
sive step had not been taken. At length Mr..
Adams came TO his conclusion The means OF
resolving il were somewhat singular and near
ly as follows: he was walking one morning
before Congress hall, apparently in deep
thought, hen his cousin, Samuel Adams, came
up 10 him and said
" What is the topic with you this morning !?
"Oh the army, the army" he replied. I'm
determined TO go into the hall this morning, anl
en,er on full detail of the state Of the colonies
in order TO show an absolute need of taking
some decisive steps. My whole aim will be tc
induce Congress 10 appoint day for adopting
the army as the legal army OF these united co
lonies of North America, and then to hint d
nv election Of Commander-in-Ch Chief"
Well" said Samuel Adams, =" | like that
cousin John but on whom have you fixed a
that Commander 2"
q will tell you George Washington, o
Virginia, member of this house"
"Ok," replied Samuel Adams quickly, 'iha
will never do, never"
I" II must do, il shall do said John, "and fu
these reasons-,he Southern and Middle State
are both to enter heartily in The cause an
their arguments are potent! they say lhat Ne'
England holds the physical power in her hand:
and they fear the result. \ New England al
my, a New England commander, with Ne'
England perseverance all united, appal then
For This cause they hang back. Now the onI
course TO allay their fears, ard give them noil
ing 10 complain Of and this can be done IN II
other way bu, by appointing Southern Chic
over this force, and then all will rush 10 III
standard rd.-This policy will blend Us IN on
mass, and that mass will be resislless."
Attfis, Samuel Adams seemed greatly move'
They talked over the preliminary circums,aT
/ ces. and John asked his cousin 10 second II
motion. Mr. Adams went in, took the foo
and put forth all the strength, in The delIneallo
he had prepared, all aiming al the adoption
the army He was ready 10 own the army, al
point a commander, vote supplies, and procee
10 business--Aler his speech had been Inisi
ed, some doubted, some objected, and son
feared. His warmth increased with ihe occi
sion, and 10 all these doubts and hesiia'ionS
replied.
Z" Gentlemen, if this Congress viii not ado
/. this army before ten moons have SET, New Enl
land will adopt it, and she will undertake I'll
struggle alone-yes, with strong ann, aud
clean conscience, she will front The Toe sing