Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/380

356 It was voted that the colonies ought to be put in a posture of defence; and Congress ordered the enlistment of troops, the construction of forts at various points, the provision of arms, ammunition and military stores, etc. In order to meet the expense of these various measures, they authorized the emission of notes to the amount of $3,000,000, bearing the inscription of ";" the faith of the confederacy being pledged for their redemption. The Massachusetts Convention had requested Congress to assume the direction of the forces before Boston; and it was now resolved to raise ten additional companies of riflemen in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, to be paid out of the public funds. Committees were appointed to prepare reports on subjects connected with the defence of the country, and such was the opinion already entertained of Washington's abilities and judgment, that he was chosen to preside over them. While sincerely desirous of effecting an amicable settlement of the questions in dispute with the mother country, Washington had already come to the conclusion that an appeal to arms was inevitable, and he was in favor of making vigorous preparation for so momentous an issue.

Towards the close of April, the people of New York met in Convention, and appointed delegates to represent that province in Congress. About a mouth later, they asked the advice of Congress, as to the course to be pursued towards the troops soon expected to 'arrive there from England. That body gave advice adapted to the circumstances, recommending the people to be wary and vigilant, and, if need be, to repel force by force. They also recommended the removal of military stores to a place of safety, the providing for the security of the women and children, and the being ready to defend themselves against insult and injury. Royalist influence was strong in New York; and a plan for conciliation then proposed, like all others, in a conjuncture such as existed at the time, asked too much for Parliament to grant, and yielded more than the people generally were willing to admit.

The appointment of a commander-in-chief of the Continental Army was one of the most difficult and delicate duties which Congress was at any time called upon to discharge. There were several men of note, who might reasonably aspire to this distinguished honor; there were local jealousies and prejudices in the way of unanimity; and it was of the very highest importance, that the man selected should be acceptable to all the colonies. The subject was debated among the members with some anxiety, and a profound sense of the magnitude of the interests involved. Washington seemed, on the whole, from the very first, to be the most acceptable; but as there were older men in arms, as General Ward was already in command before Boston, as military etiquette is always a most troublesome matter to deal with, it became somewhat doubtful how the appointment of Washington would be received. On the other hand, the importance of Virginia in the impending