Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-07-14
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.


. George Washington was made Com
I mander-in-Chief of the American
Armies by the Congress of the confed
! GRAFTON, composed of the Colonies OF
! New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay
J Connecticut, New York, New Jersey
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland
, Virginia, North Carolina, South Car,
olina, and Georgia, being present, at
an allowance Of $500 a month and
expenses. One hundred years ago
Washington accepted the command in
the following memorable address
"MR. PREsIDESr-Though | am
truly sensible of the high honor done
me in this appointment, yet | feel
great distress from the consciousness
that my abilities and military expert
ence may not be equal TO the extensive
and important trust, However, as
Congress desire ii, | will enter upon
the momentous duty and exert every
power possess in their service and
for the support of the glorious cause.
| beg they will accept my most cordial
thanks for this distinguished testimony
of their appreciation.
"But, lest some unlucky event should
happen, beg it may be remembered
by every gentleman in the room that
/, this day, declare with the uttermost
sincerity | do not think myself equal
to the command / am honored with.
"As to pay, sir, l beg leave to as
sure the Congress that, as no pecuni-
ary consideration could have tempted
me to accept this arduous employment
at the expense Of my domestic ease
and comfort, do not wish to make
any profit from it. / will keep an
exact account of my expenses. These
| doubt not they will discharge, and
is all / desire"
Saturday, June II, 1775, Washing
ton was commissioned in the following
order of Congress, followed by a res
olution that Congress doth now de-
clare that they will maintain and assist
him, the said George Washington, with
their lives and fortunes in the same
cause"
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ.
We, reposing special trust and con-
fidence in your patriotism, valor, con-
duct and fidelity, do, by these presents,
constitute and appoint you to be Gen
eral and Commander-in-Chief of the
Army of the United Colonies and of
all Others who shall voluntarily offer
their service and join the said army
for the defence of American liberty |
and for repelling every hostile invasion
thereof; and you are hereby vested
with full power and authority to act |
as you shall think for the good and
welfare OF the service,
And we do hereby strictly charge all
officers and soldiers under your com
mand to be obedient to your orders
and diligent in the exercise of their
several duties.
And we do also enjoin and require
you to DC careful in executing the
great trust imposed in you by causing |
strict discipline and order to be OBJ
served in the army, and that the sol
diers be duly exercised and provided |
with all convenient necessaries.
And you are to regulate your con-
duct IN every respect by the rules and
discipline of war Gas herewith given
you), and punctually to observe and
follow such orders and directions from
time to time as you shall receive from
this or future Congress of the United
Colonies or committee of Congress.
This commission to continue in force
until revoked by this or future Con
gress.
This brief record of Washington's
first public honors by all the colonies,
and of his modest acceptance Of the
duties imposed by them, tell their own
story. We have but to remember that
this was 100 years ago, when Great
Britain was strong, when the colonies
were feeble and not wholly united to
maintain independence by war, when
there were loyal, devoted tories, and
nven honest men who gave up life and
fortune, and endured banishment for
lhe mother country. We are to go
back just 1G0 years comprehend the
risks, the struggles, the sacrifices of
he time, and then only, can we fully
appreciate what il meant to take up
lrms against the greatest power of
Europe.