The Ordway new era., 1913-09-05
lnstaIIment IL

He had not been put upon their
committee of correspondence. or been
appointed with Nicholas and Pendle-
ton and Lee and Henry to draw reso-
lutions and remonstrances; but when
II came to choosing those who should
represent the Old Dominion in the con-
gress, but two names stood before
his in the vote. Peyton Randolph.
104: Richard Henry Lee. 100; George
Washington, 9S; Patrick Henry. SO;
Richard Bland. 70: Benjamin Harri-
son, 6S; Edmund Pendleton. 62-such
had been the preference Of the con-
vention.
Admired by Northerners.
The northern delegates admired his
"easy, soldier-like air and gesture"
and ais modest and cool hut deter
mined style and accent when he
stoke; and wondered to see him look
scarce forty, when they recalled how
Ms name had gone through the colo
MES twenty years ago. when he had
,aet the French SO gallantly at Grea,
forks Of the Ohio.
The Massachusetts delegates had
Season to admire his manly openness.
100, and straightforward candor. An
old comrade in arms whom he es-
fsemed-a virginian now in regular
commission, and stationed with the
troops In Boston-had written him
very damaging things about the pa
sriot" leaders of the beset town: of
their "tyrannical oppression over one
another" and their fixed aim at total
Independence" and had charged them
suundly with being no better than
aemagosues and rebels.
Investigates for Himself.
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..
Sklppen along with him as his spon-
sNrs and witnesses. Spent the even
Ing at home with Colonel Lee. Colonel
Washington and DR.. Shippen. who
eame in to consult u.s." was John
Adams entry in his diary for Septem-
Der 28th.
No doubt Samuel Adams found the
interview a trying one, and WINGED
little under the examination Of tho
calm and steady soldier. going SO
straight to the point, for all his Vir-
ginian ceremony.
Tsere had been many outward
stgus of the demogogue In Adams ca
reer. He had been consciously and
deliberately planning and scheming
for Independence ever since 176s. and
had made public avowal of his pur-
pose no longer ago than last year. 1t
must have taxed even his adroit pow
srs to convince these frank Virginians
that his purpose was not rebellion. but
liberty; that he venerated what they
venerated, and wished only what they
wished.
Finds Massachusetts 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 men," he re-
piled to Captain Mackenzie. that the
people of Massachusetts are rebel
lious, setting up for the independence.
and what not, give me leave, my good
friend. to tell you that you are abused.
grossly abused. This advance with
q degree of confidence and boldness
which may claim your belief. having
better opportunities 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 1t ID not
to disclose truth, but to misrepresent
facts in order to justify as much as
possible to the world their own con-
duct"
The Massachusetts men had come
to q better understanding Of the game
began to see how cautiously 1t must
be played. bow slowly and how wisely.
A Critical Business.
It was q critical business. this OF
drawing all the colonies into COM
mon congress, as II to create d.
recting body for the continent. with
out constitution or warrant The es-
tablishment of committees of CORE
spondence had seemed little short OF
seditious. for It was notorious the COM
mittees were formed to concert action
against the government at home; but
this congress Of committees" was an
even more serious matter.
Would the colonies venture con-
tinental organization to defy parlia-
ment? Dangerous differences of opin- |
ion were blown hot between neighbors |
by such measures.
Some of the best men in America
we're opposed to the course which was
now evidently to ts taken.
So long as It was merely matter
Of protest by the colonies severally.
they had NO criticism to make-except
perhaps that Mr.. Otis and Mr.. Henry
had held unnecessarily high language.
and had been bold and defiant beyond
but when they saw how the