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.

142 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1775.
tiny, that has thrown me upon this service, I shall hope
that my undertaking it is designed to answer some
good purpose. You might, and I suppose did perceive, from the tenor of my letters, that I was apprehensive I could not avoid this appointment, as I did not
pretend to intimate when I should return. That was
the case. It was utterly out of my power to refuse
this appointment, without exposing my character to
such censures, as would have reflected dishonor upon
myself, and given pain to my friends. This, I am sure,
could not, and ought not, to be pleasing to you, and
must have lessened me considerably in my own esteem. I shall rely, therefore, confidently on that Providence, which has heretofore preserved and been bountiful to me."
The appointment was made on the 15th of June.
Four days afterwards he received his commission from
the president of Congress, in which he was declared
to be commander-in-chief of all the forces then raised,
or that should be raised, in the united colonies, or that
should voluntarily offer their service for the defence
of American Liberty. The members of Congress
pledged themselves by a unanimous resolve, to maintain, assist, and adhere to him, with their lives and
fortunes, in the same cause. Four major-generals and
eight brigadiers were likewise appointed for the Continental army. To the former rank were chosen Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel
Putnam; to the latter, Seth Pomroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathanael Greene.
To these was added Horatio Gates, as adjutant-general,
with the rank of brigadier.
The situation of affairs required the commander's
presence as soon as possible at Cambridge, where the