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Show WZIg. BY THE PRESIDENT .3fC the ears of tne colonists promptly from over sea that spring; but they were not slow to perceive that they must look for no concessions; and did not wait upon parliament In their preparation for a doubtful future. t'pon the very any the "congress of committees" at Philadelphia adjourned, adjourn-ed, a "provincial congress" In Massachusetts, Massa-chusetts, formed of its own authority In the stead of the house of delegates the governor had but Just now dis solved, had voted to organize and equip the militia of the colony and to collect stores and arms. Virginia In Arms. Virginia had been equally bold, and almost equally prompt, far away aa she seemed from the king's troops at liXaton. Ily the end of January Charles Lee could write from Williamsburg: "The whole country Is full of soldiers, all furnished, all In arms. . . . Never was such vigor and concord heard of, not a single traitor, scarcely a silent dlsseutlent." "Every county Is now arming a company ot men for the avowed pur pose of protecting their committees," Dub more bad reported to the ministry before the year 1774 waa out, "and to be employed against government If occasion require. As to the power ot government which your lordship directs di-rects should be eserted to counteract the dangerous measures pursuing here, I can assure your lordship that It la entirely disregarded. If not wbol ly overturned. There Is not a Justlcs of peace In Virginia that acts except aa a committeeman; the abolishing ol courts of justice was the first ate, taken. In which the men of fortuns and pre-eminence Joined equally with the lowest and meanest." Washington Asked to Lssd. Compsny after company, as It formed, form-ed, asked Colonel Washington to as sums command over It, not only In his own county of Fab-fax, but In counties also at a distance and he accepted the responsibility as often aa It wai offered to him. "It is my full Intention," he said, simply, "to devote my life and fortunt to the cause we are engaged In, II needful;" and he had little doubt an longer what was to come. Still Runs With the Hounds. He found time, even that stlrrlni year, to quicken hla blood once ant again, nevertheless, while winter held by a run with the hounds; for he wat not turned politician so sternly ever, yet as to throw away his leisure upoi anything less wholesome than the half sport he loved. On the 20th of May. 1775, the second sec-ond Virginian convention met, not In Williamsburg, but at Richmond, and Its chief business was the arming ol the colony. Maryland had furnished the Ironical formula with which to Justify what was to be done: "Resolved, unanimously, unani-mously, that a well regulated mllltla, composed of the gentlemen freeholders freehold-ers and other freemen, la the natural strength and only stable security ol a free government; and that such mllltla will relieve our mother-country from any eipehse In our protection protec-tion and defense, will obvlste the pretence pre-tence of a necessity for taxing us on that account, and render It unnecessary unneces-sary to keep any atandlng army ever dangerous to liberty In this province." Patrick Henry Declares War. Mr. Henry, accepted the formula with great relish. In the convention at Richmond, In his resolution "that the colony be Immediately put Into a posture pos-ture of defense," but be broke with It In the speech with which be sup. ported bis measure of preparation. In thU there waa no plan or pretence pre-tence of peace, but. Instead, a plain declaration of war. Once more did Edmund Pendleton, Richard island. Mr. Nicholas, and Colonel Col-onel Harrison spring to their feet to check blm, as In the old days or the Stamp act. Once more, nevertheless, did he have his way, completely triumphant. tri-umphant. ITO UK CONTINUED.) Installment 12 He had not been put upon their committee of correspondence, or been appointed with Nicholas and Pendleton Pendle-ton and Lee and Henry to draw resolutions reso-lutions and remonstrances; but when It came to choosing those who should represent the Old Dominion In the congress, con-gress, but two names stood before his In the vote. Peyton Randolph, 104; Richard Henry Lee, 100; George Washington, 98; Patrick Henry, 8!; Richard llland, 79; Ilenjamln Harrison, Harri-son, 66; Edmund Pendleton, 62 such bad been the preference of the convention. con-vention. Admired by Northerners. The northern delegates admired his "easy, soldierlike air and gesture" and his modest and "cool but deter mined style and accent when he spoke; and wondered to see blm look scarce forty, when they recalled how hla name had gone through the colonies colo-nies twenty years ago, when he had met the French so gallantly at Great Meadows, and with Uraddock at the forka or the Ohio. The Massachusetts delegates had reason to admire his manly openness, too, and straightforward candor. An old comrade tn arms whom he esteemeda es-teemeda Virginian now In regular commission, and stationed with the troops In Ilokton had written him very damaging things about the "patriot" "pa-triot" leaders of the beset town; of their "tyrannical oppression over one another." and "their fixed aim at total Independence," and had charged them roundly with being no better thau demagogues and rebels. Investigates for Himself. Washington went at once to the men accused, to learn from their own lips their princlplea and Intentions, taking Richard Henry Leo and discreet Dr. Shlppcn along with him as his sponsors spon-sors and witnesses. "Spent the evening even-ing at home with Colonel Lee, Colonel Washington and Dr. Shlppen, who came In to consult us," was John Adams' entry in his diary for September Septem-ber 28th. No doubt Samuel Adams found the Interview a trying one, and winced a tittl.) under the examination of tho calm and .sttady soldier, going so straight to the point, for all bis Virginian Vir-ginian ceremony. There had been many outward signs of the demogogue in Adams' career. ca-reer. He had been consciously and deliberately planning and scheming for independence ever since 1768, and had made public avowal of his purpose pur-pose no longer ago than last year. It must have taxed even his adrok powers pow-ers to convince these frank Virginians that his purpose was not rebellion, but liberty; that be venerated what they renerated, and wished only what they a If lied. Finds Massachusetts Men Genuine. Out the truth somehow lay open before be-fore the evening was gone. There wis rank cordiality In the parting: Washington Wash-ington was convinced of their genuineness genuine-ness and sobriety. "Though you are led to believe by venal men," be replied re-plied to Captain Mackenzie, "that the people of Massachusetts are rebellious, rebel-lious, setting up for the Independency, ind what not, give me leave, my good friend, to tell you that you are abused, grossly abused. Tills I advance with I degree of confidence and boldness sblch may claim your belief, having better opportunities for knowing the 'eat sentiments of the people you are tmong, from the leaders of them, In )ppoeltlon to the present measures or he administration, than you have 'rom thoao whose business It Is not o disclose truth, but to misrepresent sets In order to Justify aa much as wf-Mble to the world their own con-luct." con-luct." The Massachusetts men had come o a better understanding of the game -bgan to see how cautiously It must le played, how slowly and how wisely. A Critical Business., It was a critical business, this nf irawlng all the colonlra into a com-non com-non congress, aa If to create a dl-ectlng dl-ectlng body for the continent, with-iut with-iut constitution or warrant. The'es-abllphment The'es-abllphment of commltteee or corre-Kiidnce corre-Kiidnce had seemed little short ol editious, for it was notorious the com-nli'eea com-nli'eea wre formed lo concert action gAiust the government at home; but his "congress of committees" was an ren more serious matter. Would the colonies venture a con-intntal con-intntal organization to defy parliament? parlia-ment? Dangerous differences of opln-an opln-an sere blown hot between neighbors iy such measurea. Some of the best men In America i ere epposed to the course which wss evidently to be taken. So long as It waa merely a matter f protest by the colonies aeveralty, hey bsd no criticism to make except erbaps that Mr. Otia and Mr. Henry ad held unnecessarily high language, nd had been bold and defiant beyond measure; but wben tbey aaw bow the pposition gathered head, hastened rom protest to concerted resistance, ut popular conventions Into the place f lawful legislative assemblies, and dvanced at length to a continental rganljation. lbv deemed It high Uwe 9 beattr ihemaarres. vindicate Utalr a loyalty to bla majesty' government, and avert a revolution. Opposed to Rash Measures. They were not mea to be trifled with. Had they been able to unite upon active measures, bad they advanced ad-vanced from defence to aggressive action, ac-tion, they might have rendered them selvea formidable beyond possibility of defeat. Everywhere men of substance and of Influence were to be found by the score who were opposed to a revolutionary revolu-tionary agitation, auch aa this that now aeemed to be gathering head. Even In Massachusetts men who bore the best and oldest names of the commonwealth com-monwealth were of this number; In New York and Pennsylvania, at the very heart of the continent, they could, It was believed, boast a majority, ma-jority, as well aa to the far southward, south-ward, In the low country of South Carolina and Georgia. Without Hurt to the Empire. No one, they declared, but designing politicians and men without property, prop-erty, those who had much to gain and nothing to lose by the upsetting of law and ordered government, wished to see this contest with the ministry pushed to extremes. They wished no less than others to see the colonies keep their lawful and chartered liberties, but the thing must be accomplished soberly, and without loss of things equally dear of honor, and the maintenance of an uubrokca English empire. The nice balance of the parties waa disclosed in the congress Itself. The Pennsylvania delegation was led by Joseph Galloway, a man In the prime of life, full of force and learning, learn-ing, who had beeri speaker of the provincial house these eight years by the almost unanimous choice of his colleagues, and who now etood forth to utter the real voice of bis colony In proposing measures of accommodation. accommoda-tion. The Speaker's Proposition. He proposed that the home government govern-ment be asked to aanctlon the establishment estab-lishment of a confederate parliament for America, composed of delegates to be chosen every third year by the legislatures of the several colonies, and acting under a goverm T general to be appointed by the crown. Edward Rutledge, of South Carolina, Caro-lina, hot orator for liberty though he was, declared In an "almost perfect plan," and was eager to see It adopted; adopt-ed; Influential members from almost every quarter gave It their hearty support, Mr John Jay. of New York, among tbr rest; and It was defeated only by I Jre narrow majority ot a single sin-gle colony's vote. Chatham's Opinion of Congress-Chatham Congress-Chatham might very Justly commend com-mend the congress of 1774 as conspicuous con-spicuous among deliberative bodies for Its "decency, firmness and wisdom," Its "solidity of reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under such a complication of circumstances circum-stances was such as even be did not fully comprehend. For seven weeks of almost continuous contin-uous session did It hammer Its stiff business Into shape, never wearying of deliberation or debate, till It could put forth papers to the world an address ad-dress to the king, memorials to the people of Great Ilrltaln and to the people of Ilrltlsh America, their fel low-sublets, and a solemn declaration declara-tion of rights which should mark It no revolutionary body, but a congress of Just and thoughtful Englishmen, In love, not with license or rebellion, but with right and wholesome liberty. A Single Aggressive Act. Tbelr only act of aggression wss the formation of an "American association" asso-ciation" pledged against trade with Great Iirltaln till the legislation of which they complained should be repealed. re-pealed. Their only Intimation of Intention In-tention for the future waa a resolution resolu-tion to meet again the next spring, should their prayers not meanwhile be heeded. Washington turned homeward rrom the congress with thoughts and purposes pur-poses every way deepened and matured. ma-tured. It had been a mere seven weeks' conference; no one had deemed the congress a government, or had spoken of any object save peace and accommodation; accom-modation; but no one could foresee the issue of whst had been done. A Vision of United America. A spirit bad run through thoae deliberations de-liberations which gave thoughtful men. as they pondered It. a new Idea of the colonies. It needed no prophet to discern dis-cern beyond all this sober and anxious anx-ious business a vUloa of America united, armed, belligerent for her rlghta. There was no telling what form of scornful rejection awaited that declaration declar-ation of rights or the grave pleading of that urgent memorial to the crown. It behooved every man to bold himself him-self in readiness for the worst; and Washington saw as clearly as any man at how nice a hazard things stood. Washington Not Oscelved. He had too frank a Judgnutt upon affairs to cheat himself with false hopes. "4a Innate spirit of freedom Brat told aae that the measures which administration bath for some Urns bees aad bow are most violently pur suing are repugnant to every principle of natural Justice," bad been his earnest earn-est language to liryan Fairfax ere be aet out for the congress; "whilst much abler heads than my own bath fully convinced me that It Is not only repugnant to natural right, but subversive sub-versive of the lawa and constitution or Great Ilrltaln Itself, In the establishment estab-lishment of which some of the best blood of the kingdom hath been spilt. ... I could wish. I wn," be had added, "that this dispute had been left to posterity to determine." Could Be No Compromise. Hut he knew more clearly than ever before, aa be rode homeward from the congress through the autumn woods, that It bad not been; that Lee and Henry and Mason were rightly or the same mind and purpose with the men from Massachusetts; that conference confer-ence had only united and heartened those who stood for liberty in every colony; that there could be no compromise com-promise perhapa no yielding either and that every man must now take hla soberest resolution for the times to come. Washington turned ateadtly to hla private business for the winter, never, theless, aa waa hla wont pushed forward for-ward the preparation and aettlement of hla western lands, and stood guard, as before, over the soldiers' grants upon the Ohio, against official bad faith and negligence. The Busiest Man In Virginia. "For a year or two past there has been scarce a moment that I could properly call my own," he declared to a friend who solicited his promise to act aa guardian to bis aon. "What with my own business, my present ward's, my mother's, which is wholly In my hands, Colonel Fairfax's, Colonel Mercer's, and the little assistance 1 have undertaken to give In the management man-agement of my brother Augustine's concerns, together with the share I take In public affairs, I have been constantly con-stantly engaged In writing letters, settling set-tling accounts, and negotiating one piece or business or another; by which moans 1 have really been do prlved of every kind of enjoyment, and had almost fully resolved to engage In no fresh matter till 1 had entirely wound up the old." Does Not 8hlrk Responsibility. He promised to undertake the new charge, nevertheless. It was stuff of his nature to spend blmself thus, and keep his powers stretched always to a great compass. With the new year (1775) public af-fslrs af-fslrs loomed big again, and ominous. The petitions or the congress at Philadelphia Phil-adelphia bad been received In England Eng-land almost with contempt, Chatham, Indeed, with that broad and noble sagacity sa-gacity which made blm so great a atatesmsn, had proposed that America's Ameri-ca's demands should be met, to the utmost ut-most length ot repeal and wlthdrawel of menace, and that ahe ahould be accorded ac-corded to the full the se lf government she demanded In respect to taxation and every domestic concern. Chatham's Fervid Warning. "It Is not cancelling a piece ot parchment," parch-ment," he cried, "that can win back America," the old fire burning hot within blm; "you must reaped her fears and her reientments." The merchants, too, In fear for their trade, urged very anxiously that there ahould be Instant and ample concee-slon. concee-slon. Hut the king's stubborn anger, the parliament's Indifference, the ministry's min-istry's Incapacity, made It lmposnlble anything wise or generous should be done. Adding Insult to Injury. Instead of real concessions there was rresb mensce. The ministry did. Indeed, offer to exempt from taxation every colony that would promise that by Its own vote It would mske proper contrl button to the expenses of public defence de-fence and Imperial administration In the hope thereby to disengsge the luke-warra middle colonies from the plot bow thickening against the government. gov-ernment. Rut Maaaaehuaetts was at onee proclaimed pro-claimed In rebellion, every port la New England declared closed against trade. New England fiahennea were denied de-nied access to the Newfoundland Csh-ertee, Csh-ertee, and tea 'thousand fresh treops were ordered to Dostoa. Leek fer No Concession. Neither the pleas of their friends aor the threats of their entmlea reached |