The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-12
9istorital.
June l77S-is7S.

hundred years ago, comes the opening Of
the Virginia House Of Burgesses. This
was the last session Of the House convened
by British Governor. The propositions
from the British Ministry, which had been
rejected in other colonies, and declined in
the Continental Congress, met like dis
position in Virginia. The British Gov
ernor, Dunmore, abdicated his post, and
repaired on board British war vessel.
jefferson, to whom was assigned thedraft-
ing of reply to the British propositions,
made a report, the conclusion Of which
was that, leaving the final determine
ton Of the question to the general Congress,
the King should be wearied with no more
petitions, the British nation with no more
appeals. The injuries of the colonies were
submitted "to the justice of the eyen-han-
ded Being who doth no wrong"
In the Continental Congress, on the I'd
Of June, letter was read from the Pro-
yincial Congress of Massachusetts,, asking
explicit advice relative to the form Of civil
government to be adopted, aud asking
Congress to assume the regulation and di-
rection of the army assembled and still
increasing, near Boston. This first request
was answered on the Sth of June by res
olution, "that it would be proper to conform
as far as might be, to the provisions Of the
Massachusetts, Charter; to elect represen-
tatives, and those representatives to choose
counsellors," said counsellors to constitute
the Executive. The form suggested was
generally acceptable, and was adopted, and
under it the affairs Of che Province were
conducted until 1880
The request that the Continental Con-
gress should take direction of the army
was supported by private adyices from
Warren and others that the Continental
Congress should appoint General-in- Chief
John Adams pointed out Washington, as
the man above all others fitted for the
trust; and Samuel Adams seconded his
colleague. But, with the caution and
prudence which marked all the proceed
ings of this Congress, the matter was kept
under consideration until the 18th Of June,
when il was voted to appoint General,in-
Chief. George Washington was nomina-
ted by Thomas, of Maryland, and unani-
mously elected. 1t was fitting that the
General Of the Continental Army should
come from Virginia, not only because that
colony was the Oldest and the leading col
ony, but because it was next to Massachu-
sets in aggressive position, and its royal
governor had abdicated his position. 1t
was also fitting for personal reasons, proved
by the event, that George Washington
should be chosen. On the 10th Of June
he appeared in his place, aud in modest
speech accepted the appointment. And
on the 18th Congress affirmed their choice,
and further siguifed their confidence in
the newly elected General by unanimous
resolution ito maintain and assist him,
and adhere him, the said George Wash
iugton, Esquire, with their lives and for
tunes in the same cause"
On the 18th of June, 1875, occurred
the great event Of the year-the encounter
which ranks among the leading events of
the whole war--the Battle Of Bunker Hill.
Great preparations are making for the due
celebration of the centennial of this event;
and, as its history will demand special
notice nearer to the day OF celebration /,
We pass it with but brief mention in
this article. 1t was battle in which
even defeat was victory to the Provincials,
and victory was disaster to the Crown.
During the interval between the enter
tainment by the Continental Congress Of
the proposition to take direction of the
army, and its fulflment by the appointment
of General, the Congress was not idle.
The first loan, about twenty-five thousand
dollars, was authorized for tho furnishing
Of ammunition for the continental Army"
And in that resolution those two words
were first officially presented, and histor-
ical designation was furnished, which can
never be forgotten in the annals Of Amer
lea. The term "United Colonies" was also
used officially, and the people of those
Colonies were recommended to observe a
day Of fasting and prayer. Measures were
taken to organize continental army,
to be enlisted for one year; and Congress
took the overt measure of responsibility by
resolving upon the enlistment of ten COM
panies of rihemen, six in Pennsylvania,
two in Maryland, and two in Virginia.
The last important measure of Congress
during June was a vote to issue bills Of
credit to the amount Of two millions Of
dollars. This was "war necessity the
disastrous consequences of which fingered
long. But war can never cheaply secure
the ends at which it aims; and in the
plcdgiug of lives and fortunes, though few
may fall in battle compared with the whole
of people, none escape the penalty Of
pecuniary inconvenience and distress
Philadelphia Ledger.
/
The hundredth anniversary of the bat
tie of Bunker's Hill, on June 18th, is to
receive due recognition. But two days
earlier there will occur the centennial an
nivesary Of an event which had even more
influence than Bunker Hill upon the war,
yet which has as yet scarcely received
mention. On the 18th of June, I775.