The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

138 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1775.
mending what posts should be occupied in the province of New York; secondly, for devising ways and
means of procuring ammunition and military stores;
thirdly, for making an estimate of money necessary
to be raised; fourthly, for preparing rules and regulations for the government of the army. By voting
unanimously, that "these colonies be immediately put
into a state of defence," Congress virtually assumed a
control over the military operations of the whole, and
the basis of their plans was laid accordingly. From
that time the forces under the direction of Congress
were called the Continental Army. They also resolved
to raise ten companies of riflemen in Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and Virginia, which were to march and join
the army near Boston as soon as possible, and to be
paid by the continent.
These preliminary arrangements being finished, the
next thing was to appoint a commander-in-chief of
the American armies. This was a task of more delicacy and difficulty than might at first be supposed.
Many considerations were to be weighed, besides the
personal qualifications of any individual for that high
station, either as to character, abilities, or military skill.
In the first place, it was essential that he should be
acceptable to all the colonies, and particularly to such,
as, front their position or extent, would be compelled
to take the largest share in the war. Otherwise
local jealousies and discontents might spring up, which
would defeat the best laid schemes, and possibly ruin
the cause. Next, there were officers in the country,
older in years than Colonel Washington, who had
acquired a reputation in the last war, and whose services would be necessary. To pass over such, as
should be thought by themselves or their friends to
have higher claims, on the score of former rank and