Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-10-09

, plan that We could carry nolhiDg wiihou
couced.ng to il. ...r rr,.s
), Another tmbarras Usnt which wa
! never publicly known,nnd which was care
ullv concerted by those who knew it-lh
t Massachusetts ard olhcr New Englan.
, delegates were divided. Mr.. HancocI
and Mr.. Gushing hung back; Mr.. PAIN
! did not come forward and even Samue
, Adams was irresou'e. Mr.. Hancock Him
self had had an ambition to be appointed
commrnder-in-chiei.s Whether he lho'
an election complimen, due TO him, ant
intended 10 have the honor of declining it
or whether he would have accepted,
know not. To the compliment he had
some pre,eusions, for, at that time. his
eXertions, sacrifices. and general merits in
the cause of his country. had been incom
parably gtea,er than those of Col. Wash
lngton. Bot the delcacy OF his health,
and his entire want Of experittfce in actual
service, though an excellent militia officer,
were decisive objections 10 him in my
mind. In canvassing this subject, out Of
doors. found, TOO. tina, even among the
delegates OF Virginia there were difficulties.
The apostolical reasonings among them
selves. which should he greatest, were nc
less energetic among the saints of the
ancient dominion. than they we're among
Us Of New England. In several converse.
lions, found more than one very cool
about the appointment. Of Washington, and
particularly Mr.. Pendeon was very clear
and full against. Full of anxeties con-
cernng these conlusIons. and apprehend.
ing daily that we should hear very dis
lressing news from Boston, walked with
Mr.. Samuel Adams in the State House
ward for little exercise and fresh air, be-
fore the hour Of Congress, and there rep
resented 10 him the various dangers that
surrounded US. lie agreed to them all,
but said, what shall we DO - ans
wered him, that he knew | had taken
great pains 10 get our colleagues TO agree
upon some plan, that we might be unani
nous; bu, he knew that they would pledge
themselves TO nothing but was deier-
mined TO take step which should compel
them and all the other members of Con-
gress TO declare themselves for or agains,
something. | am determined this morning
to make direct motion that Congress
should adopt the army before Boston, and
appoint Colonel Washington commander of
it," Mr.. Adams seemed to think very
seriously of it, but said nohids. L.
Accordingly, when Congress had as
sembled, l rose in my place. and. in as |
short speech as the sullec would admit
representing the state Of the Colonies, the
in the minds Of the people,
their great exfect.;ion and anxiety, The
diS'resseS Of the army, the danger Of its
disso luton, the difficulty in collecting an
o;her, and the probability that the British
army would take advantage of our delays,
march ou, of Boston, and spread deso'ation
as far as they could go. concluded with
a motion, in form. that Congress would
adopt the army at Cambridge, and ap-
point General that though this was no,
The proper time 10 nominate q General,
yet as | had reason 10 believe that this
was point OF the greatest difficulty, | had
no hesitation 10 declare that | had but one
gentleman in my mind for that important
command, and that was gentleman from
Virginia, who was among US, and very
well known to all Of US, a gentleman whose
skill and experience as an officer. whose
fortune, great talents, and ex.
relent universal character, would com
mand the appreciation of all America. and
unite The cordial eXerions Of all The Colo.
MES better than anv oihe: person in the
Union. .....
"Mr. Washington. who happened 10 sit
near the door. rs soon as he heard me al
ude 10 him, from his usual modesiy, dar
ed into the library room. Mr.. Hancock,
who was our President, which gave me an
opportunity TO observe his couhienance
while was speaking on The state of the
Colonies, the army al Cambridge, and the
me with visible pleasure
ou, when came TO describe Washington
or the commander, never remarked
more sudden and striking change of coun- :
enance Modification and resen,mcn, :
we're expressed as lorclbIy as his face could
.xhtii them. Mr.. Simuel Adams second
ID the motion, and tina, did no, sohei the
resident physiogomy at aH.f The sub.
eci came under debate, and several Of the ;
gentlemen declared themselves psain,t fhe I
,ppoin,men, of Mr.. Washington. not on ,
recount Of any personal objection agains, $
i'm, bni because the army was all from {