Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-02-26
GENERAL wAsHINGToN,S APPOINT
MENT TO THE SUPREME COMMAND
OF THE CONTINENTAL. ARMY.

tions in behalf OF the srmy arrived.
The country was urgent that Con-
gress should legalizc the raising of
the army for until they had, it
must be considered, and was in law
considered, only mob, body Of
armed rebels.
The country was placed in cir
cumstances of peculiar delicacy and
danger. The struggle had begun,
and yet every thing was without
order. The great trial now seemed
to be in this questionable should
be commander in chief? 1t was ex.
ceedingly important, aud was felt
to be the hinge on which the con-
test might turn for or against us.
The Southern and Middle states,
warm and rapid in their zeal, for
the most part, were jealous of New
England, because they felt the real
physical force was here. What
then, was to be done2 All New
England adored Gen. Ward he
had been in the French war and
went out laden with laurels. He
was scholar and gentleman.
Every qualification seemed to clus-
ter in him and it was confidently
believed that the army could not re.
ceiye any commander over him.
Difficulties thiekened at every step.
The struggle was expected to be
long and bloody. Without union
all was lest. 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, considered and
guessed, and yet the decisive step
had not been taen
At length Mr.. Adams came to a
conclusion. The means of develop
ing it were somewhat singu-
lar, and nearly as follows: He was
walking one morning before Con.
gress Hall, apparently in deep
thought, when his cousin, Samuel
Adams, came up to him and said
"What is the topic with you this
morniDgi"
ooh the army +! the army r. he re-
piled, II am determined to go into
the hall this morning and enter on
full detail on the state of the Colo.
mics, in order to show the absolute
need of taking some decisive steps.
My whole aim will be to induce Con-
gress to appoint day for adopting
the army as a legal army of these
United Colonies of North America !;
and then to hint at the election of a
COMMANDMENTS chief'
"Well,' said Samuel Adams, II
like that, cousin John, but on whom
have you fixed as this command.
er ?n
81 will tell you-George Wash.
ingtoD, of Virginia, member OF
this House"
"Oh,' replied Samuel Adams
quickly, "that will never do, never,
never"
at must do, it shall do,' said
John, land for these reasons, the
Southern and Middle States are
both to enter heartily into the cause
and their arguments are potent !;
they see that New England holds
the physical power in her hands
and they fear the result. A New
England army, New England COM
mander, with New England persev-
erance all united will appal them.
For this cause they hang back.
Now, the only course is, to allay
their fears, and give them nothing
to complain OF, and this can be done
in no other way but by appointing a
Southern chief over this force then
all will feel secure, then all will rush
to the standard. This policy will
blend US in one mass, and that mass
will be RESTLESS"
At this, Samuel Adams seemed to
be greatly moved. They talked
over the preliminary circumstances,
and John asked his cousin to Sec
ond his motion. Mr.. Adams went
in, took the floor, and put forth all
strength in the delineations be had
prepared, all aiming st the adoption
of the army. He was ready 10 own
the army, appoint a commander,
vote supplies and proceed to bust
ness.
After his speech had been finished
some doubted. some objected, and
some feared. His warmth increased
with the occasion, and to all these
doubts and hesitation, be replied
"Gentlemen. II this Congress will
not adopt this army before ten
moons have set, New England will
adopt the army and she will UNDER
take the struggle alone-yes, with a
strong arm and clear conscience,
she will f,ott the foe single-hand-
ed"
This bad the desired effect. They
saw New England was neither play
ing ns.r to be played with they
agreed to appoint a day-tbe day
was fixed. Il came; Mr.. Adams
wont -, fcfx.r ff4a A.. 1 -