Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-05-10
Revolutionary Incidents.

was published many years ago, perhaps
twenty, in the Boston Advertiser:
anecdotes connected 10ith the appointment of
Gen. Washington to the Command Of the
Ar7ny, June l6, l775:
In manuscript Journal, under the
date of November 4th. 1925. find re-
cord of a conversation had with the vene-
rable John Adams, at that time, relative
to the appointment of Gen. Washington.
It was in substance as follows:
The army were assembled at Cam
bridge. Mass, under Gen. Ward. and
Congress was sitting at Philadel phia.-
Every day arrived new applications in
behalf of the army. The country was
anxious that Congress should adopt tie
army for until they had, it must be con-
sidered, and was in law considered, on
ly as a mob, a band of armed rebels
The country was placed in circumstances
of peculiar delicacy and danger. The
struggle had begun, and yet everything
was at loose ends. The great trial now
seemed to be in this question, aVho should
be commander in Ohief? 1t was exceed
ingly important, and was felt to be the
hinge on which the whole might turn for
or against us. The Southern and Middle
the most part were Jealous of New Eng.
sical force was there. What then, was to
be done? All New England adored
General Ward he had been in the
French war, and had come out laden
with laurels. He was scholar and a
gentleman: All the requisite qualiGca-
tions seemed to cluster in him; and it was
confidently believed the army could not
receive any commander over him. What
then was to be done Difficulties
threatened at every step. The struggle
was to be long and bloody. Without
union all was lost. Union was strength.
The country, and the whole country
must come in. One pulsation must
beat through all hearts. The cause was
one and the arm must be one. The
members had talked, debated, consider,
ed and guessed. and yet the decisive step
had not been taken.
At length, Mr.. Adams came to his
conclusion, and the manner of develop
ing it was nearly as follows
lie was walking, one morning, before
Congress Hall. apparently in deep study,
when his cousin, Samuel Adams, came
up to him and said, "What is the topic
with you this morning. cousin ?" oh,
the army, the army p he replied. {"
am determined TO go into the hall this
morning. and enter into full detail ol
the state of the Colonies, in order to
show the absolute need of taking some
decisive steps. Ny whole aim will be 10
induce Congress to appoints day for
adopting the army as the legal army OF
these United Colonies in North America
and then to hint at an election of a
commander in chief" ." WE'LL" said
Samuel Adams, II like that, cousin
John; but on whom have you fixed as this
commander ?" "Ill tell you George
Washington, of Virsinia, a member of
this House, "Oh," replied Samuel
Adams, quickly, that will never do. ne
yer, never" 1t must do, it shall do, -
said John, "and for these reasons the
Southern and Middle States were both
10th to enter heartily into the cause, and
their arguments are potent; they see that
New England holds the physical power
in her hands. AMI they fear the result
a New England army. New England
commander. with New England perseve-
rance, all united. appal them. For this
cause they hang back.
Now, the only way is to aIIay their
fears and give them nothing to complain
of. This can be done in no other way
than by appointing Southern chief over
the force. Then all will feel secure, then
all will rush to the standard. This poll
rcy will blend us lin one mass, and that
mass will be resistless."
At this, his cousin Samuel, seemed
greatly moved. They talked over the
preliminary circumstances, and John
asked Samuel to second the motion.
Mr.. Adams went in, took the floor, and
put forth all hisNGtrength in the delinea-
tons he had prepared, all aiming at the
adoption of the army: lie was ready to
own the army, appoint commander, vote
supplies and proceed to business.
Alter his speech. some doubted, some
oolected. and some feared. His warmth
mounted with the occasion, and to all
'hese doubts and hesitations, he replied ::
GentIemen. If this Congress will not
adopt this army before sixteen moons
have set, New England will have a Com
gress OF her own who will adont Il and
she, she will undertake the STRUGGLE o1onsI
yes, with strong arm and clear cnn.
science will front the foe, alone
This had the desired effect. They
saw New England was not playing, and
was not to be played with, and thew
agreed to appoint day. The day was
Gxed, 1t came. Ar. Adams went in,