The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-03-09
GEoRGE WASHINGTON.

ANECDOTES RELATED b JOHN ApAHS, sENIoH.
The following account Of the appointment Of
General W ashingtOn to the supreme command
Of the continental army, June 18th, 1875, has
been pl iCed N our hands by gentleman in
whose veracity we have full confidence. We
cannot doubt the authenticity otthe anecdotes
he gives. This subject has Of late years been
brought before The public under various YER
sions, and has m every shape attracted atten-
ton. The private Journal narating CONVEX
sation with John Adams senior before that
great and good man was called 70 his final
rest. The relation is more in detail than TIA
which has hitherto been made public but it
substantially corfob0rates the former versions
Of the causes which led to the appointment Of
Washington. Lest we should in any way af-
feet the anocdo1e, we give it in The words Of
the narrator.
The army was assembled at Cambridge,
Mass, under General Ward, and Congress
was sitting al Philadelphia. Every day new
applications in behalf Of the army arrived Tie
country was urgent that Congress should L.
galize the raising Of the army as they had,
what must be considered and was in law con-
sdered onlY 3 mob, a band Of armed rebels.
The country was placed in circumstances Of
peculiar cifIiculiy and danger, TIE struggle
bad begun. and YET every thing was without
order. The great trial now seemed to be n
the question Who shall be The Commander
in-Chiefl Il was exceedingly important, and
was felt % be the hinge on which the contest
might turn for or against us. The Southern
andthe NJ ddle States. warm ana rapid IN their
zeal for the most part, were jealous Of New
| England, because they felt the real physical
force was here; what then was q be done
All New England adored Gen. Ward The bad
been III The French war, and went out laden
with laurels He was q scholar and states
nan. Every qualification seemed 70 cluster n
him and il was confidently believed that he
army could not receive any appointment over
him. What then was 70 be done Difficult
ties thickensd Al every step. The struggle was
to be long ard bloody. Without union FL
was lost. The country and the whole country
must cone IN. One pulsation must beai
through al lhearls. The cause was one, ant
the army must BE- one. The membe1s has
/ talked. debated, considered and guessed. anG
yet the deeisivoe tep bad not been taken. A
sneth Mr.. Adams cane 70 bic conehisiOn. Th'
means Il resolving It were somewhat singular
and nearly az follows; he was walking or
morning before Congress- ban apparently i
deep thought, when bis cousin Samuel Adam
came Up 70 him and sid.
What & the topic with YOU this morning
fOh the army The army he replied. tn
determined to 20 into the ball this morning
and enter On q inl detail Of the state Of thl
colonies, 10 order 70 show an absolute need q
taking some decisive steps. Ny whole ain
viii b 70 induce Congress 70 appoint oa
ior adopting the aFuy o. the legal afmg q
lhsse united colonies-of Norsh Amenca, aH
shen 10 hint At my election Of Coinmandef-i
Chief
sVeI, sid Samuel Adafns, Il Ike that oous
IA John, but on whom have you Fixed as th'
commander
! Il viii tell you--Georga Washington q w
einia, q member uf this house
Oh replied Samuel Adams quickly, tn
WI never 10. never.
I, III must do, i shall do said John, and 4
these reasons: The Southern end Middle Siau
: are both 60 enter heartily u The ca1ae ) e.
I ltneir aeadleuts are potent they say q
q New Ehgland holds the physical power q ,
4 hsnds. ana they fear he result. A New En-