Smyrna times., 1858-06-10
SELECT SKETCHES.
Who Nominated Washington?

point III AWeIICdu HlSIoTy dS lue NOMINATION OF
George Washington as Commander-in- Chief of
our revolutionary :orc S, ought not to be left in
dispute. And yet, according to a writer in the
National LnteILigencer, our highest author-
ties, Irving and Bancroft, are at variance about
the person who is to enjoy the distinction of
having made that memorable motion:
"The former, at page 453, volume l, says:-
Ia this stage of the business, Mr.. johnson, of
Maryland, rose and nominated Washington for
the station Of COMMANDMENT Chief. The eec-
tion was by ballot and was unanimous.
Bancroft, in his last volume, page 393, says
Thomas, of Maryland, nominated George
Washington, and, as he had been brought for
ward at the particular request of the people in
New England, he was elected by ballot unani-
mously."
Bancroft is clearly in error, or perhaps the
mistake may have been made by his printers.
He has given the Christian name only of the
delegate who nominated Washington. Thomas
johnson, of Maryland, who was afterwards
Governor of that State, is entitled to that honor.
But the credit of having first suggested in Con-
gress the name of Washington as the Com
mander.inGhief ofthe American Army belongs
seen by the following extract from his diary,
published in his Life and Works, volume >,
page 4l5 (Ittle & Brown, 1850:
81 was daily urging all these things, but we
were embarrassed with more than one difficulty
not only with the party in favor of the petition
TO the King, and the party who were jealous of
independence, but third party, which was a
Southern party against Northern, and ieal-
ousy against New EngIand army under the
command of New England General. Wheth.
er this jealousy sincere, or whether it was
mere pride and a naughty ambition of furnish
ing Southern General to command the North
ern army, q cannot say); but the intention was
very visible to me that Col. Washington was
their object and so many OF our staunchest men
were IN the plan, that we could carry nothing
without cOnceding to II. Another embarraSs-
ment, which was never publicly known, and
which was carefully concealed by those who
knew il, the Massachusetts and other New
England delegates were divided. Mr.. Hancock
and Mr.. Gushing hung back Mr. Paine did
not come forward, and even Mr.. Samuel Adams
was irresolute. Mr.. Hancock himself had an
ambition to be appointed commander-in- chief
Whether he thought an election a compliment
due to him. and intended to have the honor of
declining it, or whether he would have accep-
ted, know not To the compliment he had
some pretcnsOns, for, at that time, his exer-
tons, sacrifices, and general merits in the
cause of his country had been incOmparably
greater than those of Col. Washington. But
the delicacy of his health, and his entire want
Oi experience in actual service, though an ex-
cellent military officer, were decisive objections
to him in my mind. In canvassing this subject
out of doors, found too, that even among the
delegates of Virginia there were difficulties
The apostoical reasonlngs among themselves,
which should be greatest, were not less ener-
getic among the saints of the ancient dominion
than they were among us of New England. In
several conversations, found more than one
very cool about the appointment of Washing
and particularly Mr.. Pendleton was very clear
and full against it. Full of anxietics concern
ing these couiusOns, and apprehending 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. He agree to them all, but
said, What shall we do | answered him, that
he knew 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 a step that would compel
them and all the other members OF Congress 10
declare themselves for or against something.-
Il am determined this morning to make a d-
rect motion that Congress should adopt the
army before Boston, and appoint Col. Washing
ton commander of it, Mr. Adams seemed TO
think very seriously of it, but said nothing
Accordingly, when Congress had assembled,
rose in my place, and in as short a speech as
the subject would admit, represented the state
of the Colonies, the uncertainty in the minds of
naonlo thoiF o. n nd anYIpfU
the distresses Of the army, the danger of it's DIS
solution, 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 as far as they
could 90. concluded with a motion, in form,
that Congress would adopt the army at Cam
bridge, and appoint a General; that though
this was not the proper time to nominate Gen.
eral vet, as had reason to beive this was
point of the greatest difficulty, had no heSitG-
lion TO declare that Ihad but one gentleman in
my mind for that important command, and
that was a gentIeman from Virg Who aoas
among as and pery ,oeH knOUR 10 all OfUS, a
gentleman whose skill and experience as an
officer, whose independent fortune, great tai
ents, and excellent universal character, would
command the appreciation Of all America, and
unite the cordial exertions of all the Colonies,
better than any other person in the Union.
Mr. Washington, who happened to SIT near
the door, as soon as he heard me allude to him,
from his usual modesty, darted into the library
room. Mr. Hancock-who was our President,
which gave me an opportunity to observet his
countenance while | was speaking on the state
of the Colonies, the army at Cambridge, and the
enemy-heard me with visible pleasure; but
when I came to describe Washington for the
commander, | never remarked more sudden
and striking change of countenance Mortii.
cation and resentment were expressed as forci
bly, as his face could exhibit them. Mr.. Sam.
ueI Adams seconded the motion, and that did
not soften the Presidents physiognsmy at ALL
The subject came under debate, and several
gentlemen declared themselves against the ap.