Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-05-03
HOW WASHINGTON WAS MADE COMMANDER.
IN CHIEF.
FROM WORKS OF JOHN ADAMS"

Every post brought letters from my friends Dr. WIN
hrop, Dr. Cooper, Gen. James Warren and sometimes from
Gen. Ward and his aids and Gen. Heath and many others,
urgng in pathetic terms, the mpossibty of keeping their
men together without the assistance Of Congress. was
daily urging all these things embarrassed with
more than difficulty, not only with the party in favor Of
the petition the King, and the party who jealous Of
independence, bu. third party which Southern party
against Northern, and jealousy against New England
army under the command Of New England General.
Whether this jealousy sincere, whether it mere
pride and naughty ambition of furnishing Southern Gene
raj to command the Northern army, cannot say but the
intention very visible to that Colonel Washington
was their object and many Of stanchest we're in
the plan that could carry nothing without concedng To H.
Another embarrassment, which publicly known,
aAd which carefully concealed by those who knew IL the
Massachusetts and other New England delegates dryid
ed Mr. Hancock and Mr.. Gushing hung back, Mr.. Paine
did forward. end Mr. Samuel Adams ire
soIue Mr. Hancock himself had ambition to be appoint
ed Commander-inChef Whether he thought election
compliment due him. and intended have The honor Of
declining it. or whether he would have accepted it, know
not To the compliment he had pretensions or, at
that Time his exertions sacrifices and general merits in the
Of his country, had been ncomparaby greater than
those Of Colonel Washington But the decacy of his heah
and his entire want OF experience in actual service though
excellent militia officer, decisive objections to him In
my mind In caavassng this subject. out Of doors, found
that among the delegates of Virginia there
difficulties The apostolica reasonings among themselves
which should be greatest not less energetic the
saints Of the Ancient Dominion than they among Of
New England In several conversations found than
very cool about the appointment Of Washington, and
particularly Mr. Pendeton very clear and full against it
Full of anxieies concerning these conuson and appe
bending daily that should hear very distressing from
NJ tha2
yard for little exercise and fresh before the hour Con-
gres and there represented him the dangers
surrounded He agreed to them all, but said What
shall we do !" | answered him that he knew that I had
taken great pains to get colleagues agree upon
plan that might be unanimous but he knew that they
would pledge themselves to nothing; but determined
take step which should compel them and all the other
members Of Congress declare themselves for against
something 81 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 think very seriously Of it. but said nothing
Accordingly when Congress had assembled, in my
place, and in saor speech the subject would admit
represented the state Of the Colonies the uncertainty in the
minds of the people, their great expectation and anxiety the
dsresses Of the army. the danger Of its dissolution the diff
Guilty Of collecting another end the probability that the
British army would take advantage Of delays march
4
concluded with notion form, ha. Congress would adopt
the army a. Cambridge and appoint General; that though
this the proper time to nominate General yet,
had believe this point Of the greatest difficulty
had hesitation to declare that had but gentleman
in my mind for that important command, and that gen
tleman from Virgins, who was among u.s. and very we'll
known to all of gentleman whose experience Off
whose independent fortune, great talents ard excellent
universal character would command the appreciation Of all
Ameca, and unite the cordial exeons Of all the Colonies
better than any other person in the Union Mr.. Washing
ton who the door, he heard alude to
him. from his usual modes,y, darted into the library
Mr. Hancock who was our President, which gave me an
opportunity to observe his countenance while speaking
the state Of the Colonies the army Cambridge and the
enemy, heard with visible pleasure but when
describe Washington for the commander, never marked
more sudden and striking change Of counienance. Mof
cation and resentment expressed focby his face
could exhibit them. Mr. Samuel Adams seconded the mo-
on, and that did not soften the Presidents physiognomy at
all The subject under debate and several gentlemen
declared themselves sgains the appointment of Mr. Wash
ngton not account Of any personal objection against him.
but because the army all from New England had
General of their own, appeared to be satisfied with him. and
had proved themselves able impson the British army in
Boston, which all they expected or desired at that time
Mr. Peadleton of Virgins, Mr.. Sherman Of Connecticut,
very explicit in declaring this opinion. Mr.. Gushing
and several others family expressed their opposition
and their fears Of discomfort in the army and New Eng
land Mr. Paine expressed great opinion Of General
and strong friendship for him, having been his classmate
college, or at least his contemporary but gave opinion
the question. The subject postponed a future day.
In the time, pains taken of doors to obtain
unanmity, and the voices generally clearly
Of Washington, that the dissenting members persuaded
to withdraw their opposition and Mr. Washington nom-
mated, believe, by Mr.. Thomas Johnson of Maryland,
unanimously elec'ed. and the army adopted
HoosIc MoUSTAIS TUssxL.-The most supendous pro
in the tunnel line which has been seriously conte
plated in this county is the peoraon Of the Hoosc
tain North Adams Massachusetts, for the passage
the trains OF the Troy and Boston Railroad The length
the proposed tunnel a. 100 feet, about four miles and
three quarters and the estimated 557 Such
the coDguraton OF the mountain that il is said shaft
be sunk less than 500 feet in depth. Consequently will
this supposon is calculated tina, 556 days. than
four years. will be necessary for the completion Of the UNDER
taking The Massachusetts, Senate have passed law, which
before the House, loan to the Troy and Boston Rail-
road Company 81 0e0 900 of State bonds condition that
certain Of money shall be expended by the company
previous the advai of the several nsamens of the loan
from time to time, which expenditures exceed the
amount OF said advances until the entire railroad, with the
exception Of the tunnel shall be completed but this event
the entire of stock loaned be advanced the
company.
IN railway matters calculates that instead Of four FIVE years.
years, aud that It's would immensely exceed that above
stated. .a,...