wice before and a third time may
seem impertinent. But I must once more beg leave to declare that, unless
the Assembly will pass an act to enforce military law in all its parts,
I must decline the honor that has been so generously intended me. I see
the growing insolence of the soldiers, and the indolence and inactivity
of the officers, who are all sensible how limited their punishments are,
compared with what they ought to be. In fine, I can plainly see that
under the present establishment we shall become a nuisance, an
unsupportable charge to our country, and never answer any one
expectation of the Assembly.... Why should it be expected from us, who
are all young and inexperienced, to govern and keep up a proper spirit
of discipline without laws, when the best and most experienced can
scarcely do it with them? If we consult our interest, I am sure it
loudly calls for them. I can confidently assert that recruiting,
clothing, arming, maintaining, and subsisting soldiers who have since
deserted have cost the country an immense sum, which might have been
prevented were we under restraints that would terrify the soldiers from
such practices."

Another trial which Washington experienced was the refusal of Captain
Dagworthy, in command at Fort Cumberland, to obey his orders. Dagworthy
had received his commission from the king, and he claimed that hence he
was Washington's superior, who received his commission from a provincial
governor. This affair created much excitement in Washington's command,
and his officers drew up a memorial, praying him--

"To appeal to General Shirley, who was commander-in-chief of all the
British forces in North America, and whose headquarters are in Boston.
His decision will settle the question forever."

Washington applied to Governor Dinwiddie for permission to proceed to
Boston at once for this purpose, and obtained it. Notwithstanding the
deep snow and wintry weather, he started upon this mission on the 4th of
February, 1756, accompanied by Captains Mercer and Stewart. They
travelled on horseback the whole distance, and "took with them their
negro servants, who, riding behind with their master's saddle-bags and
portmanteaus, and dressed in fine livery, with gold lace on their fur
hats, and blue cloaks, gave quite an air of style and consequence to the
little cavalcade."

In New York City Washington was entertained by Beverly Robinson, a
distinguished citizen, at whose house he met a very a