CHAP. and a beleaguering host of rustic soldiery were besieging the enemy.

XXVII.

1775.

Congress was imbued with the spirit of the time. In committee of the whole reports were called for on the state of the country. These disposed of, they passed to other matters; reviewed the events of the last year; investigated the causes which led to the conflicts at Lexington and Concord. The timid proposed to memorialize Parliament once more. No! argued John Adams, and many others; it is useless, we have been spurned from the throne, and our petitions treated with contempt; such a memorial would embarrass our proceedings, and have no influence upon Parliament. Yet another petition was, in form, voted to the king, and while they denied any intention to cast off their allegiance, they proceeded to put the colonies in a posture of defence.

They formed a "Federal Union," by whose provisions each colony was to manage its own internal concerns; but all measures pertaining to the whole community, such as treaties of peace or alliance, the regulation of commerce, or declaration of war, came under the jurisdiction of Congress. They recognized Him who holds in his hands the destinies of nations. They issued a proclamation for a day of solemn fasting and prayer.

Congress now assumed the authority of the central power of the nation. They forbade persons, under any circumstances, to furnish provisions to the British navy or troops; took measures to enlist an army and to build fortifications, and to procure arms and ammunition. To defray expenses, they issued "Bills of Credit," amounting to two millions of dollars, for whose redemption they pledged the faith of the "United Colonies." In accordance with the request of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, they adopted the volunteers in the camp before Boston, as the continental army. It remained to appoint a Commander-in-chief. On this subject there were diver

WASHINGTON CHOSEN COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

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sities of opinion. Some thought a New England ariny CHAP. would prefer a New England commander; others strove to appoint a commander acceptable to all sections of the 1775. country. The members of Congress acknowledged the military talents of Washington, and appreciated his liberal views as a statesman. As chairman of the committee on military affairs, he had suggested the majority of the rules for the army, and of the measures for defence. At this time came intimations in a private letter from Dr. Warren to Samuel Adams, that many leading men in Massachusetts desired his appointment as commander-inchief.

Patrick Henry, when asked, on his return home from the first Congress, who of the members was the greatest man, had replied, "If you speak of eloquence, Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, is, by far, the greatest orator; but if you speak of solid information and sound judgment, Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest man on that floor."

John Adams took occasion to point out what, under the present circumstances, should be the qualifications of a commander-in-chief, and closed by remarking, that they knew a man who had these qualifications-" a member of this house from Virginia." He alluded to Washington. A few days after, the army was regularly adopted, and the salary of the commander-in-chief fixed at five hundred dollars a month. That arranged, Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, nominated Washington for the office. The election was by ballot, and he was unanimously chosen. The next June day the president of Congress formally announced to him his election. Washington rose in his seat and briefly expressed his gratitude for the unexpected honor, and his devotion to the cause. Then he added, "I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this room, that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not

15

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CHAP think myself equal to the command I am honored with." Refusing any pay, he continued, "I will keep an 1775. exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire." Congress resolved "to maintain and assist, and adhere to him with their lives and fortunes in the defence of American liberty."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION

Battle of Bunker Hill.-Death of Warren.-Washington on his way to join the Army.-Generals Charles Lee and Schuyler.-State of Affairs in New York. Sir William Johnson.-The Condition of the Army.-Nathaniel Greene.-Morgan and his Riflemen.-Wants of the Army.— Difficulties on Lake Champlain.—Expedition against Canada.—Richard Montgomery.-Allen's rash Adventure.-Montreal captured.-Arnold's toilsome March to Quebec.-That Place besieged.-Failure to storm the Town.-Death of Montgomery.-Arnold in his Icy-Fortress.

CHAP.

May

25.

FOR two months the armies in and around Boston had watched each other. General Gage, in the mean time, XXVIII had received large reinforcements. These were led by three commanders of reputation: Generals Howe, Bur- 1775. goyne, and Henry Clinton. We may judge of the surprise of these generals to find the king's regulars “hemmed in by what they termed a rustic rout, with calico frocks and fowling-pieces." "What!" exclaimed Burgoyne, "ten thousand peasants keep five thousand king's troops shut up! Well, let us get in, and we'll soon find elbowroom." This vain boast was followed by no decided movement. Gage merely sent forth a proclamation, declared the province under martial law, and offered pardon to all the rebels who should return to their allegiance, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock. These "rebels" were placed beyond the pale of the king's mercy.

The patriot soldiers, numbering about fifteen thousand, had come from their various towns, in independent companies, under their own leaders; their friends in their

XXVIII.

CHAP. respective towns supplied them with provisions. The Massachusetts troops were under General Ward; John 1775. Stark led the New Hampshire volunteers; Putnam commanded those from Connecticut, and Nathaniel Greene the regiment from Rhode Island. The artillery, consisting of nine pieces, was under the control of the venerable Colonel Gridley. The great majority of the soldiers were clad in their homespun working clothes; some had rifles and some had fowling-pieces. The British greatly exasperated them by taunts and acts expressive of contempt. Opposed to the motley group of patriot soldiers, was a welldisciplined army of ten thousand men, under experienced commanders.

June.

16.

It was rumored that Gage intended to seize and fortify Bunker's Hill and Dorchester Heights—the one lying north and the other south of the town. In order to prevent this, some of the patriots proposed that they should take possession of the hill themselves. The more cautious were opposed to the enterprise, as extremely hazardous; it might provoke a general action, and they were deficient in ammunition and guns. But the fearless Putnam felt confident, with proper intrenchments, the patriots could not fail of success. "The Americans," said he, "are never afraid of their heads, they only think of their legs; shelter them, and they will fight forever." It was reported that the enemy intended to seize Bunker Hill on the night of the eighteenth of June, and therefore not a moment was to be lost. On the evening of Friday the sixteenth, a company of about twelve hundred men, with their arms, and provisions for twenty-four hours, assembled on the common at Cambridge. Very few of them knew where they were going, but all knew that it was into danger. Prayer was offered by President Langdon, of Harvard College. About nine o'clock they commenced their march, under the command of Colonel William Prescott, a veteran of the French war; one in whom the