rather hated tyranny than loved liberty. These searching and distrustful spirits were apprehensive that such a man, after having released them from the tyranny of England, might attempt, himself, to usurp their liberty. And further, the supreme direction of the war, once committed to the hands of an individual, English born, the latter would be restricted to the alternative, of abandoning the colonies, by a horrible treason, to the absolute power of England, or of conducting them to a state of perfect independence. And the American chiefs, though they detested the first of these conditions, were not willing to deprive themselves of the shelter afforded by a discretion, with regard to the second. It was the same consideration which determined the Congress against appointing one of the generals of the provinces of New England, such as Putnam or Ward, who then commanded the army of the siege, and who had recently demonstrated such signal valor and ability, in all the actions which had taken place in the vicinity of Boston. Both had declared themselves too openly in favor of independence; the Congress desired, indeed, to procure it, but withal, in a propitious time. Nor should it escape mention, that the colonists of Massachusetts were reproached with a too partial patriotism; showing themselves rather the men of their province than Americans. The provinces of the middle and of the south betrayed suspicions; they would have seen with evil eye, the cause of America confided to the hands of an individual who might allow himself to be influenced by certain local prepossessions, at a time in which all desires and all interests ought to be common. There occurred also another reflection, no less just; that the office of Generalissimo ought only to be conferred upon a personage, who, in the value of his estate, should offer a sufficient guaranty of his fidelity, as well in conforming himself to the instructions of Congress, as in abstaining from all violation of private property.

It was too well known that military chiefs, when they are not softened and restrained by the principles of a liberal education, make no scruple to glut their greedy passions, and lay their hands very freely, not only upon the effects of the enemy, but even upon those of their allies and of their own fellow-citizens; a disorder which has always been the scourge, and often the ruin of armies.

Accordingly, after having maturely weighed these various considerations, the Congress proceeded, on the 15th of June, to the election of a Generalissimo, by the way of ballot; the votes, upon scrutiny, were found all in favor of George Washington, one of the representatives of Virginia. The delegates of Massachusetts would have wished to vote for one of theirs; but seeing their votes would be lost, they adhered to the others, and rendered the choice unanimous. Washington was present; he rose, and said; that he returned his most cordial thanks to the Congress, for the honor they had conferred upon him; but that he much doubted his abilities were not

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equal to so extensive and important a trust; that, however, he would not shrink from the task imposed for the service of the country, since, contrary to his expectation, and without regard for the inferiority of his merit, it had placed in him so great confidence; he prayed only, that in case any unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to his reputation, it might be remembered, that he had declared on that day, with the utmost sincerity, he did not think himself equal to the command he was honored with. He assured the Congress, that as no pecuniary consideration had induced him to abandon his domestic ease and happiness, to enter this arduous career, he did not wish any profit from it; that pay he would not accept, of any sort.

Colonel Washington, for such was his rank before his election, had acquired the reputation of a brave and prudent commander, in the late wars against the Indians, and against the French; but at the peace of 1763, he had retired to private life, and no longer exercised the military profession. It is not, therefore, extraordinary, that many should have thought him unable to sustain the burthen of so fierce a war. But, however, the greater part of the nation having full confidence in his talents and his courage, the Americans had no hesitation in raising him to this high dignity. He was not only born in America, but he there had also received his education, and there had made a continual residence. He was modest, reserved, and naturally an enemy to all ambition; a quality most of all esteemed by this distrustful and jealous people. He enjoyed a considerable fortune, and the general esteem due to his worth and virtue. He was especially considered for his prudence, and a character of singular energy and firmness. It was generally thought, that he did not aim at independence, but merely desired an honorable arrangement with England. This opinion of his, well corresponded with the intentions of the principal representatives, who had no objection to advancing towards independence, but were not yet prepared to discover themselves. They expected to be able so to manage affairs, that one day this great measure would become a necessity, and that Washington bimself, when he should have got warm in the career, would easily allow himself to be induced, by the honor of rank, the force of things, or the voice of glory, to proceed with a firm step, even though instead of the revocation of the oppressive laws, the object of his efforts should become total independence. Thus in the person of this general, who was then in his forty-fourth year, and already far from the illusions of youth, were found united all the qualifications wished for by those who had the direction of affairs. Wherefore, it is not surprising that his election gave displeasure to none, and was even extremely agreeable to the greater number.

Having given a chief to the Union, the Congress, to demonstrate how much they promised themselves from his fidelity and virtues, resolved unanimously, that they would adhere to, maintain, and assist

him, with their lives and fortunes, to preserve and uphold American liberty. Then, wishing to place at the head of the army, other experienced officers, who might second Washington, they appointed Artemas Ward, first major-general; Charles Lee, second majorgeneral; and Philip Schuyler, third major-general; Horatio Gates was named adjutant-general. A few days after, they created the eight brigadier-generals following; Seth Pomeroy, William Heath, and John Thomas, of Massachusetts; Richard Montgomery, of New York; David Wooster and Joseph Spencer, of Connecticut; John Sullivan, of New Hampshire; and Nathaniel Greene, of Rhode Island. If any thing demonstrated the excellent discernment of Congress, it was, doubtless, the choice of the first generals; all conducted themselves, in the course of the war, as intrepid soldiers, and faithful guardians of American liberty.

Immediately on being invested with the supreme command, Washington repaired to the camp, at Boston; he was accompanied by general Lee. He was received, wherever he passed, with the greatest honors; the most distinguished inhabitants formed themselves in company to serve him as an escort. The congresses of New York, and of Massachusetts, went to compliment him, and testify the joy his election had given them. He answered them with suavity and modesty; they might be assured that all his thoughts, all his efforts, as well as those of his companions, would be directed towards the reestablishment of an honorable intelligence between the colonies and the parent state; that as to the exercise of the fatal hostilities, in assuming the character of warriors, they had not laid aside that of citizens; and, nothing could afford them a gratification so sincere, as for the moment to arrive, when, the rights of America secured, they should be at liberty to return to a private condition, in the midst of a free, peaceful, and happy country.

The general, having made the review of the army, found, exclusively of an almost useless multitude, only fourteen thousand five hundred men, in a condition for service; and these had to defend a line of more than twelve miles. The new generals arrived at the camp most opportunely; for the discipline of the army, having fallen, as it were into desuetude, it was urgently necessary to introduce a reform. The officers had no emulation; the soldiers scarcely observed 'the regulations, and neglected all care of cleanliness. And, being mostly drawn from New England, they manifested a refractory spirit, impatient of all subordinancy.

The generals of Congress, but not without the most painful efforts, succeeded in repairing these disorders. General Gates, who was profoundly versed in all the details of military organisation, contributed more than any other to this salutary work. The soldiers became gradually accustomed to obedience; the regulations were observed; each began to know his duty; and, at length, instead of

a mass of irregular militia, the camp presented the spectacle of a properly disciplined army. It was divided into three corps; the right, under the command of Ward, occupied Roxbury; the left, conducted by Lee, defended Prospect Hill; and the centre, which comprehended a select corps, destined for reserve, was stationed at Cambridge, where Washington himself had established his headquarters. The circumvallation was fortified by so great a number of redoubts, and supplied with so formidable an artillery, that it had become impossible for the besieged to assault Cambridge, and spread themselves in the open country. It was believed, also, that they had lost a great many men, as well upon the field of battle, as in consequence of wounds and disease.

But the American army was near wanting a most essential article ; the inventory of powder deposited at Roxbury, Cambridge, and other places of the vicinity, represented a public stock of only ninety barrels. It was known also, that there existed but thirty-six in the magazines of Massachusetts. Though to this quantity had been added all that New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut could furnish, the whole would have fallen short of ten thousand pounds; which allowed but nine charges a man. In this scarcity and danger, the army remained more than fifteen days; and, if the English had attacked during the time, they might easily have forced the lines, and raised the siege. At length, by the exertions of the committee of New Jersey a few tons of powder arrived at the camp, which supplied, for the moment, the necessities of the army, and averted the evils that were feared.

There remained, also, an important part to be organised in the American army; it had, as yet, no special corps of riflemen, which, however, were extremely essential for sudden and desultory operations; for maintaining discipline in the camp; and for protecting the arrival of recruits, of ammunition, and of provisions. It was necessary, withal, to consider, that if the war, as it was probable, after the arrival of reenforcements from England, should be established in the open country, light troops became absolutely indispensable, in such a country as America, broken incessantly by ravines and waters, and obstructed by forests, hedges, mountains, and almost impracticable defiles. Accordingly, the Congress resolved that there should be raised, in Pennsylvania and Virginia, a sufficient number of riflemen; who, the moment the companies should be formed, were to commence their march towards the camp of Boston, where they were destined for the service of light infantry. At the news of the battle of Breed's Hill, the Congress decreed that two companies more should be levied in Pennsylvania, and that they should all be united in a single battalion, to be commanded by such officers as the provincial assembly or Congress might appoint. These companies of riflemen arrived at the camp about the commencement of August;

they formed a corps of not far from fourteen hundred men, light clothed, and armed, for the most part, with rifles of great projectile power.

While the American army that besieged Boston was thus daily reenforced, and furnished with all articles of immediate necessity, the Congress employed themselves with extreme activity in taking such measures as they thought best calculated to keep on foot the troops already assembled; and even to augment and equip them more completely in case of need. Accordingly, it was recommended by a resolution of Congress, that all the colonies should put themselves in a state of defence, and provide themselves with the greatest possible number of inen, of arms, and of munitions; and, especially, that they should make diligent search for saltpetre and sulphur, and collect all they could find of these articles, without delay. An exact scrutiny was therefore commenced, in the cellars and in the stables, in pursuit of materials so essential to modern war. In every part, manufactures of gunpowder, and founderies of cannon, were seen rising; every place resounded with the preparations of war. provincial assemblies and conventions seconded admirably the operations of the Congress; and the people obeyed, with incredible promptitude, the orders of these various authorities.

The

The Congress, having perceived that zeal for the liberty of America at length prevailed over local partialities, and over the jealousy of power, in the provincial assemblies, took greater courage, and resolved to introduce a general system, which might serve to regulate all the levies that were about making in each province. They were not ignorant of the extreme utility of uniformity, in whatever relates to war, as the means of directing all minds towards the same object, and of preventing dissentions. They passed, therefore, a resolution, by which it was recommended, and their recommendations at this epoch were received and executed as laws, that all men fit to bear arms, in each colony, from sixteen years to fifty, should form themselves into regular companies; that they should furnish themselves with arms, and should exercise in wielding them; that the companies should organise themselves into battalions, upon the footing of habitual defence; and, finally, that a fourth part of the militia, in every colony, should be selected to serve as minute men, always ready to march wherever their presence might be necessary. Those who, from their religious opinions, could not bear arms, were invited to come to the succour of their country, at least with all the other means in their power. The military pay was regulated after the rate of twenty dollars a month to captains, thirteen to lieutenants and ensigns, eight to sergeants and corporals, six to mere soldiers. The Congress also recommended, that each province should appoint a committee of safety, to superintend and direct all those things that might concern the public security, during the recess of the assem