A History of the American People

look for allies immediately. He wrote confidently to the English radical Joseph Priestley:
Britain, at the expense of 3 millions, has killed 150 Yankees this campaign, which is £20,000 a head. During the same time, 60,000 children have been born in America.' In the meantime, though, everyone agreed that an army was needed to bring Britain to the negotiating table. Dr Joseph Warren of Massachusetts, president pro tempore of the Congress, who was soon to pay for his patriotism with his life at Bunker's Hill, put it succinctly: A Powerful Army on the side of America is the only means left to stem the rapid Progress of a
Tyrannical Ministry.' But who was to command it? Since the clashes at Lexington, the large,
imposing delegate from Virginia, General Washington, had taken to appearing in the uniform of
an officer in the Fairfax Militia. He was the only member of the Congress in martial attire. He
had been a leading critic of British rule since the Great Proclamation. He called the Stamp Act
legal thievery.' He blamed Britain for falling tobacco prices, which was his 'interest.' He refused to buy British-made articles for his estate. His wife and step-children no longer got presents from London. He set his people to manufacture substitutes. As long ago as 1769 he had advocated forming an American army, though only asa last resort.' He strongly disapproved of the Boston
Tea Party, which seemed to him a disorderly affair, a needless provocation which gave Britain an
excuse to rule with a high hand.' But theIntolerable Acts' resolved his doubts. The last straw
was a British ruling that generous land-grants to officers who served in the Seven Years War
applied only to regulars-this invalidated his large claims to Western lands. If ever a man now had
an interest' in going to war, he did. He told John Adams:I will raise one thousand men, subsist
them at my own expense, and march myself at their head, for the relief of Boston.' He made it
plain he was enthusiastic for fighting. He told fellow-delegates that he regarded the Indians as a
sufficient menace-'a cruel and bloodthirsty enemy on our backs.' But this told in his favor. The
delegates were experienced, serious men. They did not want to be led by a hothead. They liked
the look of Washington. He was described as Six foot two inches in his stockings and weighing 175 pounds ... His frame is padded with well-developed muscles, indicating great strength.' And again:In conversation he looks you full in the face, is deliberative, deferential and engaging.
His demeanor at all times composed and dignified. His movements and gestures are graceful, his
walk majestic.’ Moreover, he was generally beloved.' Adams gives us a blow-by-blow account of how a commander-in-chief was chosen. He himself was by now in a fever of martial emotions:Oh, that I were a soldier,' he recorded in his
diary. [But] I will be! I am reading Military Books!' Washington, he said,by his great
experience and abilities in military matters, is of great service to us.' Adams tried to maintain,
twenty-seven years later, that his foresight was responsible for Washington's election. Actually
there was not much choice. His only rivals were Israel Putnam, now serving as a major-general,
who was too old at fifty-seven; and Artemus Ward, in temporary command of the provisional
army at Cambridge, described as a fat old gentleman.' According to the Congressional minutes, Washington was chosen unanimously." Washington, who whatever his faults was never arrogant or pushy, was so overwhelmed by his selection that he was unable to write his letter of acceptance, but dictated it to Isaac Pemberton, in whose hand it is, apart from the signature. He refused a salary and asked only for expenses. This was received with great approval, and it is clear from the minutes that the delegates intended him to be treated as more than a mere general. He was to be leader.This Congress,' they read, 'doth now declare that they will maintain and
assist him and adhere to him, the said George Washington Esquire, with their lives and fortunes
in the same cause."