Appointment as General-John Adams's View of It-Appointments of Other Officers-Arrival at Cambridge-General Artemas Ward-Assumption of Command-Washington's War Policy-Condition of the Army and Supplies-Arnold's Expedition up the Kennebec-Washington's Letter Giving His Plan for It-War on the Seas-Instructions to John Glover and D. Moylan-Instructions to Winthrop Sargent Concerning Prizes, Harbors, etc.-Mrs. Washington's Visit to Camp at Cambridge -Capture of the Nancy by Marblehead Cruiser-Plan for Attack on Boston - Fortification of D. rchester Heights - Withdrawal of British from Boston-Note to General Ward-" Washington Street" -Head-Quarters in Boston-Fondness for Children-Transfer of Army to New York-First American Medal-Canadian Contingent— His Aides-Message from Admiral Lord Howe-Letter to "George Washington, Esq."-English Fleet-Crown Point and TiconderogaPlan for a Capture-Arrival of British Army at New York-Defeat at Brooklyn-Retreat to the City and to White Plains-Loss of Forts Lee and Washington-Mrs. Philipse-Retreat through Jersey-Battle of Trenton-Success at Princeton-Winter Quarters.

POLITICAL united with conaress

OLITICAL reasons united with personal in

the decisive act of the Continental Congress by which Washington was appointed to be general in command. It may be doubted whether, when he and his Virginia friends rode to Philadelphia together, either of them had any idea of such a possibility. But as events rushed with the crisis of

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blood, as it was more and more evident that the issue was to be decided, not by petitions or discussions, but by the arbitration of armies, it was necessary that America should have an army worthy of that name. The colony of Massachusetts Bay was without a government. Its leaders, with a sagacity which was unrivalled, knew well that in the institution of the new government they should connect themselves as closely as they could with other parts of the nation, which men did not yet dare call by that name. In a formal letter to the Continental

Congress they said:

"We hope that you will favor us with your most explicit advice respecting the taking up and exercising the powers of civil government, which we think absolutely necessary for the salvation of our country."

At the same time, in private letters, the men who had the control of affairs in the province which was already in rebellion wrote to beg that the Continental Congress would take command of the army which had gathered around Boston, by appointing the generalissimo. Joseph War

ren, so soon to be killed at Bunker Hill, Warren of Plymouth, and Elbridge Gerry, all wrote in the same vein; and from their distant home they had agreed that Washington, so favorably known to the country in the old war, and now as the "Virginia Patriot," was the man who should be designated for this post.

It was clear enough that if this were a New England army, with a New England commander, the interest of the nation in it would be much less, than if it were an army composed of men from every colony, and were under the command of some one who was not himself a New Englander. These great leaders were perfectly satisfied if they had a southern man with thorough principles. In this instance, also, there was every personal reason to join with that of political wisdom, in the appointment of Washington. Washington had succeeded. He had been in absolute command. He was a

member of the Congress. He was known as the Virginia patriot. For these reasons the Massachusetts men at home, not without prompting, perhaps, from those who had observed Washington in Philadelphia, wrote to Philadelphia letters, which were freely read in the Congress itself, to urge his appointment to the command.

"On the earliest occasion," says Mr. Bancroft, "John Adams explained to the Congress the position and character of the New England army; its merits and its wants, the necessity of its being adopted by the colonies, and the consequent propriety that Congress should name its general. Then, speaking for his constituents, he pointed at Washington as the man above all others fitted for that station, and best able to promote union. Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts, seconded his colleague. The delegates from Virginia, especially Pendleton, Washington's personal friend, disclaimed any wish that the officer whom

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Massachusetts had advanced, Artemas Ward, should be superseded by a Virginian.”

Washington himself had never aspired to the honor, though he had now seen, for some time, that he might not be able to avoid the appointment. When the proposal was made by Adams, the choice was delayed because the members from New York wished to consult their immediate constituents on the nominations to be made from that colony. But on the 15th day of June, two days before the battle of Bunker Hill, which proved to be the decisive battle of the war, Congress voted to appoint a general. At this time Johnson, of Maryland, nominated George Washington, and he was elected by ballot unanimously.

In the announcement of this election on the same day to his wife, in that interesting personal correspondence, which gives us so much of our best material for history, John Adams said :

"The Congress have made choice of the modest and virtuous, the amiable, generous, and brave George Washington, Esquire, to be the general of the American army, and he is to repair, as soon as possible, to the camp before Boston. This appointment will have a great effect in cementing and securing the union of these colonies."

Washington accepted the nomination in a little speech, which showed the real diffidence of the man at the same time that it showed a determination to stake every thing for the American cause.

To Patrick Henry he said, in private: "This day will be the commencement of the decline of my reputation." Henry thought that his eye glistened with a tear. He had absented himself from the Congress when his appointment had been made. On the next day he appeared in his place. He declined to eceive any payment for his services beyond what his expenses might be; and then said:

"As the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty and exercise every power I possess in their service, and for the support of the glorious cause. But I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this room that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with."

When he spoke thus modestly, he was probably looking back on the nature of the military training which he had really received. It is worth while to remember here that eighteen months after, in all the perplexities of White Plains, he wrote in a confidential letter that there was not a man of them all who had ever seen two regiments in line of battle when this war began.

From Philadelphia he writes to his wife :

"I hope my undertaking this service is designed to answer some good purpose. I rely confidently on that Providence which has beautifully preserved and been bountiful to me. You may believe me, my dearest Patsy,