Litchfield enquirer., 1850-11-28

nous; but he knew that they would
pledge themselves to nothing; but l was
deter mined to take step which should
compel them and all the other members
of Congress. to declare themselves for o:
against something. g / am determined
this morning to make direct motion that
Congress should adopt the army before
Boston, and app int Colonel Washington
commander of it," Mr.. Adams seemed
to think very seriously Off. but said moth.
ing.
+ Accordingly, when Congress had as
|sembIed. rose in my place, and, in as
short speech as tie subject wonId add
init, represented the state OF the colonies,
the uncertainty in the minds Of the peo-
pie, their greas expectation and snxiety,
The distrSses~ of the army. the danger Of
its dissolution the difficulty of collecting
another, and the probability that the
British army would take advantage of
our delays, march out Of Boston. and
spread desolation us far as they could go.
| concluded with motion, in form, that
Congress would adopt the army at Cam
bridge, and appoint general. and tho
this Was not the proper time to nominate
general, yet as had reason TO believe
this was point Of the greatest difficulty.
lad no hesitation to declare that | had
but one gentleman in nv mind, and that
was gentleman from Virginia, who was
among us and very we'll known to all of
us-a gentleman whose skill and expeli-
ence AS an officer, whose independent for
tune, great talents, and excellent univer-
s,,l character. would command the appro-
! baton Of all America, and unite the cor
dial exertions of all the colonies better
than any other person in the Uni,n.
MIR. Washington, who happened to sit
near the door, AS soon AS he heard me
allude to him. from his usual modesty.
darled into the library room. Mr.. Han>
Geek, who was our President, which gave
me AN opportunity to observe his counte-
nance 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 countenance. Modification
and resentment were expressed as forci
bly, as his face could exhibit them. Nj.
Samuel Adams seconded the motion, and
that Gid not soften the Presidents phys.
ionoyomy at all. The subject came uu,
der debate, and severed gentlemen de-
clared themselves against The appoint.
ment of Mr.. " Washington, not on account
of any personal objection against him
but because The army was all from New
In. land, had general Of their own, ap
pealed 10 be satisfied with him, and had
proven themselves. able to imprison the
BRUSH army in Boston, Which was all
they expected or desired ut that time
Mr.. Prndletonof Virginia. and Mr.. She'-
man Of Connecticut, were very explicit,
in declaring their opinion; Mr.. Gushing
and several others, family expressed their
opposition and their fears Of discomfort
in the army and in New England. Mr..
Paine expl essed great opinion of Gen.
Ward, and ~ strong friendship for him.
having been his cl,sSma,e at college, or.
at least, his contemporary; but gave no
opinion upon the question.
The subject was p s,PDned TO fu'ure day.
Ia The meantime, pains were taken out oil
d'Wrs TO obtain a Unanimliy, and the voices
wsIe so clearly in favor of Washington
that the di>SentIent members were in favor
10 Withdraw their opposition. and Mr.
| Washington was nominated, believe, ny
Mr.. Thomas J"hns.,U, of Maryland, unan'
imou,iy elected ami the army adopted.