Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-05-24
Eow WASHINGTON WAS MADE CoMMAN
DER-INaCHfEF.
tFrom Works of JOHN Adams ]

Ward and his aids, and Gen. Heath and
many others, urging in pathetic terms the
lmpossibiity CT keeping their men together,
without the assistance of Congress. was
daily urging all these things, but we were
embarrassed with more than one difficulty,
not only with the party in favor of the peti-
non to the King and the party who were
jealous OF Independence, but a third party,
which was Southern party against
Northern, and jealousy against Il New
England army under the command of a
New England General. Whether this zeal.
ousy was sincere, or whether il was pride
and naughty ambition of furnishing South
ern General 10 command the Northern army
Il cannot say y but the intention was very
visible TO me that Colonel Washington was
their object and so many Of our siaunchest
men were in the plan, that we could carry
nothing without conceding 10 it.
Another embarrassment, which was never
| publicly known, and which was carefully
concealed by those who knew it, the Massa.
chusetts and other New England delegates
were divided, Mr.. Hancock and Mr.. Cush-
ing hung back Mr.. Paine did not come
! forward, and even Mr.. Samuel Adams was
! irresoluie Mr.. Hancock himself had an
ambition 10 be appointed Commander-in-
chief. Whether he thought an election a
| compliment due TO him, and intended to
| have the homer OF declining it, or whether
he would have accepted, know not. To
The compliment he had some pretension, for
at that time, his exerticns, sacrifices, and
general merits in the cause of his country,
mad been imconparably greater than those
OF Colonel Washington. But the delcacy of
his health, and his entire wan, of experience
IN actual eervce, though an excellent militia
officer, were decisive objections to him in
my mind. In canvassing this subject, out of
doors, found TOO that even among the dele
gates of Virginia there were difficulties.
The apostoIcal reasonings among them
selves, which should be greatest, were not
less energetic among the saints of the an
cient dominion than they were among us of
New England. In several conversations,
found more than one very cool about the
appointment of Washington, and particularly
Mr.. PendIetcn was very clear and full
against it,.
Emil OF anXieties concerning these confu-
sions, and apprehendlng daily that we should
hear very distressing news from Boston,
walked with Mr.. Samuel Adams in the
State House yard for a little exercise and
fresh air before the hour of Congress, and
there represented 10 him the various dan
gers that surrounded us. lie agreed 10
them all, but sad-"What shall! we do Z"
| answered to him that he knew that had
taken great pains to get out colleagues TO
agree upon some plan, that we might be
unanimous but he knew that they would
pledge themselves 10 nothing but | was
determined 10 take a step which should
compel them and all the other members of
Congress TO decare themselves for or against
something. "I am determined this morning
10 make a direct motion that Congtess
should adopt the army before Boston, and
appoint Colonel Washington commander of
it," Mr. Adams seemed 10 think very
seriously of ii, but said nothing.
Accordingly, when Congress had assem-
bled, | rose in my place, and in as short a
speech as the subject would admit, represen-
ted the state of the Colonies, the uncertainty
in the minds Of the people, their great eX-
peclation and anxiety, the distresses of the
army, the danger of its dissolutionj the diff
fculiy of collecting another, and the ptoba-
biliy that the British army would take ad.
vantage Of our delays, march out of Boston
and spread desolation as far as they could
90. / concluded with a motion, in form,
that Congress would adopt the army al
Cambridge, and appoint General that
though this was not the proper time TO nomi-
nate General. vet, as | had reason 10 be-
leive this was a point Of the greatest diff
Guilty. had no hesitation TO declare that |
had but one gentleman in my mind for that
important command, and tliat was a gentle
from Virginia, who was among us, and
very well known to all of US, gentleman
whose skill and experience as an officer
! WHOSE ltpcuNduA lbINuutJ Bltdl ldlGuNS,
and excellent universal character, would
command the appreciation of all America,
and unite the cordial exertions Of all the
Colonies, better than any other in the
Union.
MIR. Washington, who happened 10 sit
near the door, as soon as he heard me al
lude TO him, from his usual modesty, darled
into the library room. Mr. Hancock, who
was our President, which gave me an oP-
portunity TO observe his countenance while |
was speaking on the state of the Colonies,
the army al Cambridge, and the enemy
heard me with visible pleasure but when |
came TO describe Washington for the cGm.
mander, never marked more sudden and
striking change of c,3untenEnce. MoFtiflea-
tion and resentment were expressed as for
eibly as his faoe could exhibit them. Mr.
samnsl Adams seconded the motion, and
-. l;l ,ot softan the prasidentFS DhVsion