Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-06-25

feel great distress. from a consciousness that mr.
equal TO ths extensive and important trust. How.
ever the congress desire II, Will enter upon
the momentous duty, and exert every power
possess in their service and for the support OF
the glorious cause. ] beg they will accept my
mony OF their appreciation. But lest some un-
lucky event should happen unfavorablo 20 my
reputation, beg II may be remembered, By every
gentleman ia this room that this day declare,
with the utmost sincerity do not think myselk
equal TO the command honored with. As 20
pay. sir. beg leave to assure the congress that.
as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted
TO accept the arduous employment 81 the exs
pense OF my domestic ease and happiness. do
not wish to make any profit from H. VIII Keep
not they win discharge and that is all desire
There are few letters In existence from Wash
ington to his wife He wrote her many, but It
seems to be established that Mrs. Washington, 3
short time before her death, destroyed all his let
tiers to her that she could lay hands on. June IL
he wrote her letter, part Of which has been
preserved. After speaking Of his appointment and
Of the necessity OF his going to Boston, be said:
You may believe me, my dear Patsy yhsn !
assure you. in the most solemn manner that 30
far from seeking this appointment, have used
every endeaTor in my power to avoid IT, not only
from my unwfIIingnes TO part with you and the
family but from a consciousness OF its being
trust too great for my capacity and that
ahouId enjoy more real happiness In one month
with you at home, than have the most distant
prospect Of nnding abroad, II my stay were 10
kind OF destiny that has thrown me upon this
service. / shall hope that my undertaking IL de-
signed to answer some good purpose. II
was utterly out OF my power TO refuse this
pointment, without exposing my character 10 such
censures would have reflected dishonor upon
myself and given pain 20 my friends. This am
sure, could not, and ought not 20 be pleasing
to you. and must have lessened me considerabiy In
IDENTIFY on that Providence. which has heretofore
been bonntlful 20 me- not doubling that shall
return safe to you IN the falL
General Washington left Philadelphia for Bos-
ooes .a4s~f.~
riding in haste for Philadelphia with the news OF
Bunker hin. How did the militia behaveT he
asked Answered, be exclaimed. 'Then the lber-
ties of the country are safe" He journeyed by way
OF New York, everywhere acclaimed by an admir-
ing people The morning OF July 3 the army was
drawn up on Cambridge common and General
Washington, drawing his sword, took command
under the authority OF the Continental congress-
July be issued bis first general order. as follows:
rbs Continental congress having now taken all
the troops OF the several colonies which have been
raiaed or which may be hereafter raised for the |
support and defe@ss Of the liberties OF America
into q The United PROVINCES Of North America
ana II Is hoped that ali distinction Of colonies VIII
81 laid aside. 20 that and the spirit may /
snsmate ths whole. and the only contest be- who i
ahau render, on this great and trying occasion,
a. nost essential service TO the great and COM
Mon rsuse nwhich wears All engaged II is
a5IFed and expected that exact dihcfpline be OBJ
-s6 and dae nnbordfnnffon prevail through the
armS Is failure in these most essential
,oInts must necessarily produce extrems hazard.
sssorder and confusion. and end in shameful dis
= recruitment and disgrace. The general most
emrnemtiy requires and expects due observance /
81 these articles Of war established for the E0V-
ernment Of tbs army. which forbid profane ours
snk swearing and drunkenpess; and IN like man-
~ he requires and expects o. all ogieerm and goE
6Ieru not engsged setuaI duty a bunetuaf AZ
s~ndmuce on divine service. 20 impIora. the bless
80 81 Heaven upom the used cOr our safety
and defense t}fea-a~-s--s- n
So began the War Of Independence. War had
not get been AeeiaKed By congress- The nag had
not yet been aa0pted But the Americans were In
arms and Gen 0@orgs washington was af shel