Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-06-03
HOW WASHINGTON WAS MADE COM.
MANDER.IN.CHIEF

in pathetic terms, the impossibility of keeping
theirmen together withoutthe assistance of Con-
gress was daily urging all these things, but
we were embarrassed with more than one diff
Guilty, not only with the party in favor of the
petition to the King, and the party which was
Southern party, who were jealous of indepen.
dence, but a third party against Northern, and
a jealousy against New England army under
the command of New England General
Whether this jealousy was sincere, or whether
it was mere pride and a naughty ambition OF
] furnishing Southern General to. command the
Northern army, cannot say; but the nten.
ton was very visible to me that Colonel Wash.
ington was their object, and so many of our
staunchest men were in the plan, that we could
carry nothing without eonceding to it. An
other embarrassment which was never public
ly known, and which was carefully concealed
by those who knew it, the Massachusetts, and
other New England delegates were divided
Mr.. Hancock and Mr.. Gushing hung back, Mr.
Paine did not come forward, and even MIR.
Samuel Adams was irresolute. Mr.. Hancock
himself had an ambition to be appointed Com
mander.in- Chief Whether he thought an
election complimeEt due to him, and intended
to have the honor of declining it. or whether he
would have accepted it, / know not. 10 the
compliment he had some pretensions; for, at
that time, his exertions, sacrifices, and general
merits in the cause of his country had been III.
comparably greater than those of Colonel
Washington. But the delicacy Of his health,
and his entire want Of experience in actual ser.
vice, though an excellent militia officer, were
decisive objections to him in my mind. In
canvassng this subject, out of doors, found
too that even among the delegates of Virginia
there were difficulties. The apostolic reason
ings among themselves which should be great.
est were not less energetic among the saints OF
the Ancient Dominion than they were among
US Of New England. In several conversations
i found more than one very cool about. the ap-
pointment of Washington, and particularly Mr..
Pendleton was very clear and full against it.
Full fanxieties concerning these Commissions,
and apprchending daily 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 dangers that surrounded us. lie
agreed to them all, but said: "Whts shall we
dow Ianswered him that he knew that had
taken great pains to get our colleagues to agree
upon some plan, that we might be unanimous;
but he knew that they would pledge themselves
to nothing; but | was determined to take
step which should compel them and all the 9TH
er members of Congress to declare themselves
for or against something. 81 am determined
this morning to make direct motion that Con-
gress should adopt the army before Boston,
and appoint Colonel Washington commander
OF it." Mr.. Adams seemed to think very seri.
ously Of it, but said nothing.
Accordingly, when Congress had assembled,
| rose in my place, and in as short speech as
the subject would admit, represented the state
of the colonies, the uncertainty in the minds
Of the people, their great expectation and anx-
iety, the dstresses of the army, the danger of
its dissolution, the difficulty Of collecting an
other; and the probability that the British ar
my would take advantage Of our delays, march
out Of Boston, and spread desolation as far as
they could go. concluded with a motion, in
form, that Congress would adopt the army at
Cambridge, and appoint General; that though
this was not the proper time to nominate gen.
point OF the greatest difficulty, had no hesita-
ton to 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 rs;
gentleman whose experience AN officer, whose
independent fortune, great talents, and excel
lent universal character would command the
appreciation of all America, and unite the cor
dial exertions of all the colonies better than any
other person in the Union. Mr.. Washington,
who sat near the door, as soon as he heard ME
allude to him, from his usual modesty, darted
into the library room. Ms. Hancock, who was
our President, which gave me an opportunity
to observe his countenance while | was speak.
ing on the state of the colonies, the army at
Cambridge, and the enemy, heard me with vsi-
bic pleasure; but when | came to describe
Washington for the commander, never mark
ed more sudden and striking change of coun-
tenance Modification and resentment were
expressed as forc,bly as his face could exhibit
them. Mr. Samuel Adams seconded the mo-
ton, and that did not soften the Presidents ply
sognomy at all. The subject came under de-
bate, andseveral gentlemen declared themselves
against the appointment of MIR. washington,
not on account of any personal objection
against him, but because the army were all
from New England, had ageneral 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 at that time
Mr.. Pendleton, of Virginia, and Mr.. Sher.
man, of Connecticut, were very explicit in de-