The Washington herald., 1913-02-01

son to admire this manly openness, too.
and straightforward candor. An old
comrade in arms whom he esteemed
Nirginian now in regular commission.
and stationed with the troops in Boston
had written him very damaging things
about the patriot leaders of the beset
town; of their "tyrannical oppression
over one another" and their fixed aim
at total independence" and had charged
| them roqpdly with being no better than
demagogues and rebels.
Investigates for IIImseIf.
Washington went at once to the men
accused. to learn from their own lips
their principles and intentions. taking
Richard Henry Lee and discreet DR..
Shipper along with him as his sponsors
| and witnesses. Spent the evening at
home with Col Lee, Col. Washington.
and DIT. Shtpen. who came in to consult
! us. was John Adams entry in his
diary for September -
| No doubt Samuel Adams found the
| interview a trying one, and WINGED a
little under the examination of the calm
and steady soldier. going so straight TO
| the point for all his Virginia ceremony.
There had been many outward signs #
| the demagogue in Adams career. He had
! been consciously and deliberately plan
ming and scheming for independence ever
since l16S. and had made public avowal
| Of his purpose no longer ago than last
year. II must have taxed even his adrot
powers to convince these frank Virginisns
that his purpose was not rebellion, but
, liberty; that he venerated what they ven
Grated. and wished only what they wished.
Finds Mnssnchusctts Men Genuine.
But the truth somehow lay open be-
| fore the evening was gone. There was
| frank cordiality in the parting: Wash
ington was convinced of their genuine
ness and sObriety. Though you are led
to believe by venal man." he replied TO
! Capt Mackenzie, that the people of
| Massachusetts are rebellious. setting M
for the independence. and what not.
| give me leave. my good friend. to tell
you that you are abused, grossly abused.
| This | advance with a degree OF con-
! fidence and boldness which may claim
your belief, having better opportunities
4 for knowing the real sentiments OF the
people you are among. from the leaders
| of them, in opposition TO the present
measures of the administration, than
| you have from those whose business il
is not TO disclose truth. but 10 misrep-
| resent facts in order TO justify as much
] as possible to the world their own con-
duct"
| The Massachusetts, men had come to
a better understanding OF the game
! began to see how cautiously it must be
played, how slowly and how wisely.
4 Critical Business.
1t was A critical business. this Of
drawing all the colonies into a common
congress- as II 10 create directing
body for 1.-THE continent. without consti-
tuition or warrant The establishment
of committees of correspondence had
seemed little short OF seditious, for II
was notorious the committees were
| formed to concert action against the
government at home: but this con
gress of committees" was an even more
| serious matter.
| Would the colonies venture a con-
| tinentaI organization to defy Parlia-
ment? Dangerous differences Of opinion
were blown hot between neiShbors by
| such measures.
misunderstanding Returns to