sist that the undisciplined army cannot
be kept together much longer without the aid of Congress; and Congress
has done the best thing it could for the army in appointing you to its
command."

"I shall lose no time in preparations to take command of the army,"
replied Washington. "I shall repair to Cambridge at once."

"Without returning to Mount Vernon?"

"Yes; that would consume too much time. Much as I should enjoy a visit
home, I must forego the pleasure, and hasten to my command."

"A sacrifice, truly," remarked Adams.

"And one that both my wife and mother will appreciate," added
Washington, "although the disappointment will be so great to them. Our
country first, for the sake of our homes."

"True, very true; and it is a terrible necessity that makes it true,"
continued Adams. "War is serious business, and under its direful
necessities you may never see your loved Mount Vernon again."

"No one can be more sensible of that than myself, but personal pleasure
must yield to the demands of patriotism in such a crisis as this. Duty
is the watchword now."

Without consuming time for more than the most hasty preparation,
Washington started for Massachusetts, after penning the following tender
letter to his wife. The epistle shows so much of his noble character
that our narrative would be incomplete without it:

PHILADELPHIA, June 18, 1775.

MY DEAREST,--I am now set down to write you on a subject which
fills me with inexpressible concern; and this concern is greatly
aggravated and increased when I reflect upon the uneasiness I
know it will give you. It has been determined in Congress that
the whole army raised for the defence of the American cause
shall be put under my care, and that it is necessary for me to
proceed immediately to Boston to take upon me the command of it.

You may believe me, my dear Patsy, when I assure you in the most
solemn manner, that, so far from seeking this appointment, I
have used every endeavor in my power to avoid it, not only from
my unwillingness to part with you and the family, but from a
consciousness of its being a trust too great for my capacity,
and that I should enjoy more real happiness in one month with
you at home than I have the most distant prospect of finding
abroad, if my stay were to be seven times seven years. But as
it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this
service, I shall