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of governor and commander in chief of Ticonderoga, and Crown Point, and with orders to raise a regiment in America for the defence, and protection of those posts; but he was taken into custody by order of Congress and detained as prisoner of war.

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On the 9th Congress proceeded to take into consideration the civil affairs of Massachusetts, and resolved, "that no obedience being due to the act of Parliament for altering the charter of Massachusetts-bay, nor to a governor or lieutenant-governor, who will not observe the directions of, but endeavour to subvert that charter. The governor and lieutenant-governor of that province are to be considered as absent, and their offices vacant; and as there is no council there, and the inconveniences arising from the suspension of the powers of government, are intolerable; that in order to conform as near as may be to the spirit, and substance of the charter, it be recommended to the provincial convention, to write letters to the inhabitants of the several places, entitled to representation in assembly, requesting them to choose such representatives, and that the assembly when chosen and met, do elect. counsellors; and that such assembly and council exercise the powers of government, until a governor of his majesty's appointment will consent to govern the colony according to charter."

On the 10th, Congress recommended to the colonies to collect materials, and manufacture their own gun-powder. On the 14th Congress resolved, "That six companies of expert riflemen, be immediately raised in Pennsylvania ; two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; and that each company, consisting of sixty-eight privates, besides officers, march as soon as completed, and join the army at Boston, to be there employed as light-infantry."

On the 15th Congress proceeded to choose by ballot, VOL. IIh

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a commander in chief for the American forces, and George Washington, Esq. then a member, was unanimously chosen. On the 16th the president notified Colonel Washinton of his appointment, when he rose in his place, and made the following reply :—

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"MR. PRESIDent,

Though I am truly sensible of the high honour done me in this appointment, yet I feel great distress from a consciousnes, that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive, and important trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every faculty I possess in their service, and for the support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation. But lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this room, that I this day declare, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honoured with.

"As to pay, sir, I beg leave to inform the Congress, that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expence of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expences. Those I doubt not they will discharge, and that is all I desire."

Such modesty and disinterested patriotism are not recorded, even of Cincinnatus. Courtly and dignified, yet easy and affable in his deportment; firm, temperate, humane, and modest in his disposition; this hero of America accepted a trust which led him to enter the lists with the Howes, the Clintons, and Burgoynes of Britain, those champions of the age, who considered British soldiers and

British valour as paramount to every enterprise, and viewed the resistance of the colonies as the madness of folly, and sure precursor of defeat, disgrace, slavery, and ruin. But the God of our fathers, who seeth not as man seeth, had raised up a deliverer for his people, in that young hero, who had conducted the retreat in the old war, at the famous defeat of the British General Braddock, and led off in safety the shattered remains of his army. He who had so largely shared in the fatigues, and dangers of that war, and witnessed the almighty displays of Divine Power, in granting deliverance to his people, in the defeat and disgrace of their enemies, and the total overthrow of the power of France in America, was now destined, by the same almighty power of God to become the deliverer of his people, by a total overthrow of the despotic power of Britain, in America.

The wisdom of Congress in selecting for this important trust, such a man as Col. Washington, possessing such an exalted character, was truly conspicuous; but the local residence of the commander in chief of the American armies, was also of the highest importance to the colonies, to promote harmony and union. This was also accomplished in the appointment of Col. Washington, who was a native of Virginia, in the centre of the colonies, who thereby concentrated the discordant interests of the North and South, in that disinterested patriotism, that was so uniformly displayed in his character; balanced that overbearing strength which New-England had ever felt, and expressed, from her earliest settlement, and Converted it to the best interest of the whole. God directed the choice, and blest the ap. pointment.

When the commission was made out, and delivered to Gen. Washington, Congress pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honours, to support him in his arduous duties, of defending, and preserving American liberty.

Congress next proceeded to appoint by ballot, Artemas Ward, first major-general, Hrratio Gates, adjutant-general, and Charles Lee, Esq. 2d major-general, Philip Schuyler, Esq. 3d major-general, and Israel Putnam, Esq. 4th major-general.

On the 20th of June the Massachusetts congress announced to the several towns, the resolve of Congress of the 9th. That no obedience being due to the act of Parliament for altering their charter, &c. requested them to elect an assembly, to meet at Watertown, on the 19th of July next. At the same thime they appointed Colonel Heath a major-general, in the place of their illustrious Warren, killed.

On the 22d of June the Continental Congress proceeded to appoint the following brigadier generals. Seth Pomeroy, Esq. of Massachusetts, Richard Montgomery, Esq. of New-York, David Wooster, Esq. of Connecticut, William Heath, Esq. of Massachusetts, Joseph Spencer, Esq. of Connecticut, John Thomas, Esq. of Massachusetts, John Sullivan, Esq. of New-Hampshire, and Nathaniel Green, Esq. of Rhode-Island, and resolved at the same time, that they should receive their commissions through the hands of the commander in chief. At the same time Congress resolved-" That a sum not exceeding 2,000,000 dollars, be emitted by the congress, in bills of credit for the defence of America, and that the twelve confederated colonies be pledged for the redemption of the bills."

This expedient had frequently been resorted to by the several colonies in carying on their wars, as we have seen, and now became the dernier resort of Congress to provide for the exigencies of the war.

Although the experience of all the colonies had taught Congress the fact, that paper money had proved only a temporary relief, and that its ultimate effects had uniformly been the general prostration of morals, and the ruin of

the honest by the arts and intrigues of knaves; yet this being their only alternative, they were constrained to adopt the measure. Congress were unanimous, and the result proved the ruin of thousands; but the salvation of America.

Upon the arrival of the news of the battle of Bunker's Hill, Congress resolved" that Pennsylvania raise two companies of riflemen, and that the whole be formed into a battalion, to be commanded by such officer as shall be recommended by said colony."

At this time an attempt was made in North-Carolina to effect a counter-revolution in that colony, which when communicated to Congress, produced the following resolve:

"Resolved, That it be recommended to all in the colony of North-Carolina, who wish well to the liberties of their country, to associate for the defence of American liberties, and to embody themselves as militia, under proper officers; and in that case, if the assembly, or convention of that colony shall think it absolutely necessary for the support of the American association, and safety of the colony, to raise a thousand men, this Congress will consider them as an American army, and provide for their pay."

Pennsylvania entered with spirit into the war, and the city of Philadelphia enrolled her citizens in the militia of her country, consisting of three battalions, amounting to 1500 men, one matross company of 180, with 2 brass field pieces, one troop of light horse, and several companies of light infantry, rangers and riflemen-total about 2000.Even many of the Quakers enrolled themselves in the ranks of their country, and raised, what was never known before, a company of Quakers, who did military duty, and became zealous in the defence of their country.

The colonies thus being arrayed in defence of their liberties, Congress, intent on a peaceful reconciliation with

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