Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-10-01


In several conversations, found more
than one very cool about the appointment
of Washington. particularly MIR. Pendle-
ton was verv clear and full against IL.
Full of anxieties concerning these coniu-
sions, and experimenting dialy that we
should hear very distressing news from
Boston. [ walked with Mr.. Samuel Adams
in the State house yard for little exercise
and fresh air before the hour of Congress,
and there represented to him the various
dancers that surrounded US. He agreed
to them, all, but said What shall we do!
I answered him that he knew | had taken
great pains to get our colleagues to agree
Iupon some plan, that we might be unani-
nous; but he knew that they would
pledge themselves to nothing; but was
determined TO take step which should
compel them and all the other members
of Congress to declare themselves for or
against something. II 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 no.
thing.
Accordingly, when Congress had as
sembled, rose in my place, and, in as
short speech as the subject would ad-
NIT, represented the state of the colonies,
the uncertainty in the minds ofthe people,
their great expectation and anxiety, the
dsresscs of the army, the danger of its
dissolution, the difficulty of collecting an
other, and the probability that the British
army would take advantage of our delays,
march out of Boston, and spread desola-
ton as far as they could 60. | concluded
with a motion, in form, that Congress
would adopt the army at Cambridge, and
appoint a general; that thought this was
not the proper time to nominate general,
vet as | had reason to believe this was a
point of the greatest difficulty, | had no
hesitation to declare that | had but one
gentleman in my mind for that important
command, ana that was a 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 independent fortune, great talents,
and excellent universal character, would
command the appreciation OF all America,
and unite the cordial exertions of all the
colonies better than any other person i'll
the Union.
Mr.. Washington, who happened to sit
near the door, as soon as he heard me al
lude TO him, from his usual modesty, dar-
led into the library-room. Mr.. Hancock,
who was our president, which gave me
an opportunity to obseTS his countenance
while was speaking on the state of the
colonies, the army at Cambridge and the
enemy, heard me with visible pleasure,
but, when came to describe Washington
for the commander, | never remarked
more sudden and striking change of coun-
tenance. Modification and resentment
were expressed as forcibly as his face
could exhibit them. Mr.. Samuel Adams
seconded the motion, and that did not soft
en- the presidents physiognomy at all.t
The subject came under debate, and sew
eral of the gentlemen declared themselves
against him, hut because the army was
all from New England, 'had General of
their own, appeared to be satisfied with
him, and had proved themselves able TO
imprison the British army in Boston,
which was all they expected or desired al
that time. Mr.. Pendleton, of Virginia,
Mr.. Sherman, of Connecticut, were verN
explicit in declaring their opinions: Mr..
Gushing and several others more family
expressed their opposition and their fears
of discomfort in the army and in New
England. Mr.. Paine expressed a great
opinion of General Ward and strong
friendship for him, having been his class
mate at college, or at least his cotemPora-
ry. but gave no opinion upon the ques-
ton. The subject was postponed to a
future day. In the mean time pains were
taken out of doors TO obtain unanlmlty,
and the voices were generally so clearly
in favor of w .,shington that the dissenllenl
members were persuaded to withdraw
their opposition, and MIR: Washington was
nominated. believe, by Mr.. Thomas
Johnson, of Maryland, unanimously elec'
ted, and the army adopted.
The question was who should be the
second officer. General Lee was noml-
mated and most strenously urged by many,
particularly Mr.. Mitflin, who said that
General Lee would serve cheerfully under
ashingron, but considering his rank,
character. and eyperience, could not be
expected 10 serve under any other; that
Lee must be, at secundus AIT nutlus'
TO this | as strenuously objected, that II
would be a great deal to expect of Gener-
al Ward that he should serve under any
man. but that under stranger he ought