. Adams discussed the matter in
private with many delegates, and could not succeed even in making the
Massachusetts and Virginia representatives agree. At last, determined to
force action, one morning he announced to Samuel Adams that something
must be done. "I am determined this morning to make a direct motion that
Congress should adopt the army before Boston, and appoint Colonel
Washington commander of it. Mr. Adams," he added in his diary, "seemed
to think very seriously of it, but said nothing."

Alone, then, but determinedly following his inspiration, John Adams laid
before the Congress his proposal. First he spoke in favor of accepting
the New England army as the army of the continent; then he began a
eulogy of Washington. Hancock's eyes flashed with resentment, and
Washington himself slipped from the room. There were a few days of delay
and debate, but the energy of Adams carried his proposals. The Congress
adopted the army, appointed four major-generals and eight brigadiers,
and finally, on the 15th of June, chose the commander-in-chief. On the
17th of June, the day of Bunker Hill, Adams wrote joyfully to his wife:
"I can now inform you that the Congress have made choice of the modest
and virtuous, the amiable, generous, and brave George Washington,
Esquire, to be General of the American Army."[109]

This was a step which the Congress could not retrace. The colonies were
now in rebellion, and the members, as they realized that the noose was
preparing for their necks, voted the meagre sum of twenty-five thousand
dollars to supply with powder the army which alone stood between them
and a sudden taking off. Yet the significance of the act was not yet
understood by the colonies at large, for a few days later the assembly
of New York voted military escorts both to Washington and to the
royalist governor, who happened to arrive on the same day.

Washington himself, however, knew better than any man the consequence
of the momentous step. He foresaw that the labor would be difficult and
the struggle long. On the 16th of June he accepted his commission, but
added: "Lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to my
reputation, I beg it to be remembered by every gentleman in the room,
that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think
myself equal to the command I am honored with.

"As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that, as no
pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to ac