s, of Massachusetts, the eloquent and indomitable advocate of
independence, had, on a previous occasion, recommended him for the post,
as "a gentleman, whose skill and experience as an officer, whose
independent fortune, great talents, and excellent universal character,
would command the approbation of all America, and unite the cordial
exertions of all the colonies better than any other person in the
union." Mr. Adams had discovered that the preference of the Southern
members for Washington was very strong. The pay of the commander-in-chief
of the continental army was fixed at the sum of five hundred dollars a
month. Washington, impressed with a profound sense of the arduous
responsibility of the trust, while he gratefully accepted it, declared
at the same time that he did not think himself equal to it. He declined
all compensation for his services, and made known his intention to keep
an account of his expenses, which he should rely on congress to
discharge. A fac-simile copy of his account, published in recent times,
attests the fidelity with which he performed this engagement. It is
remarkable that while the Southern members in general preferred him,
among those, who at the first suggestion of his name by Mr. Adams, were
opposed to his appointment, were several of the Virginia delegates, and
Mr. Pendleton, in particular, was absolutely against it; but upon
further conference and reflection all objection was withdrawn. Four
major-generals were appointed, Ward of Massachusetts, Charles Lee, an
Englishman, Schuyler, of New York, and Putnam, of Connecticut. In
compliance with General Washington's request, his old comrade, Major
Horatio Gates, then on his estate in Virginia, was appointed
adjutant-general. Washington was likewise warmly in favor of the
appointment of General Charles Lee; yet not without misgivings as to
his violent temper.

The Shawnee hostages had disappeared at the time with the governor; and
George Washington, Thomas Walker, James Wood, Andrew Lewis, John Walker,
and Adam Stephen were appointed commissioners to ratify a treaty with
that tribe. It was determined that Lord Dunmore had voluntarily
abdicated the post of governor, and that the president of the council
should discharge the duties. The abdication was, no doubt, as
"voluntary" as that of James the Second. The burgesses adjourned to the
twelfth of October, and were summoned to meet in convention on the
seventeenth of July.[622:A] It was on thi