The Ordway new era., 1913-08-22
InstalIment 12

committee of correspondence. or been
appointed with Nicholas and Pendle-
ton and Lee and Henry to draw reso-
lutions and circumstances; but when
It 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. 80:
Richard Bland, 70; Benjamin Harri-
son. Sc: 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 his modest and cool but deter
mined style and accent when he
spoke; and wondered to see him look
scarce forty. when they recalled how
his name had gone through the colo
nies twenty years ago, when he had
met the French 80 gallantly at Grea,
Meadows, and with Braddock at the
forks Of the Ohio.
The Massachusetts delegates had
reason to admire his manly openness.
too. and straightforward candor. An
old comrade in arms whom he es-
teemed-a virginian now in regular
commission, and stationed with the
troops in Boston-had written him
very damaging things about the pa.
triot" leaders of the beset town; Of
their "tyrannical oppression over one
another" and their fixed aim at total
Independence" and had charged them
roundly with being no better thaa
demagogues 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..
Shippen along with him as his spon-
sors and witnesses. Spent the even
ing at home with Colonel Lee. Colonel
Washington and DIR. Shippen, who
came in to consult u.s." was John
Adams. entry In his diary for Septem-
ber 28th.
No doubt Samuel Adams found the
interview q trying one. and WINGED a
little under the examination of tho
calm and steady soldier. going 30
straight to the point. for all his vir-
ginian ceremony.
There had been many outward
signs 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
ers 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
fngton 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 independency.
and what not, give me leave, my good
friend. to tell you that you are abused.
grossly abused. This l advance with
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 it is 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 better understanding of the game
began to see how cautiously 1t must
be played, how slowly and how wisely.
A Critical Business.
1t was critical business. this of
drawing all the colonies into COM
mon congress, as ii to create a d.
recting body for the continent. with.
out constitution or warrant. The es-
tablishment of committees of corre-
spondence had seemed little short OF
seditious, for 1t 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
were opposed to the course which was
now evidently to be taken.
So long as 1t 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
measure; but when they saw how the |
opposition gathered head. hastened
from protest to concerted resistance.