Chapter XVI: Commander-In-Chief

More Indian Depredations, and War--Washington's Conference with
Mason on English Tyranny--Taxation without
Representation--Oppressive Acts multiplied--The Stamp
Act--Patrick Henry in the Assembly--Treason--Governor dissolved
the Assembly--A Re-election--Washington stands with Patrick
Henry--Discussion with Fairfax on the State of Affairs--Dr.
Franklin before a Committee of Parliament--Friends of America in
Parliament--Next Assembly Bolder, and dissolved by
Governor--Washington's Plan to use no Articles taxed--The Tax
removed except on Tea--Tea thrown into Boston Harbor--Action of
the Citizens against British Soldiers--Day of Fasting and
Prayer--Effigies and Mock Processions Boston Port
Bill--Washington's Journey to Ohio in Behalf of his Old
Soldiers--First American Congress--The Chaplain Memorial to the
King--Chatham's Defence of the Colonies--British Soldiers sent
to Boston--The Patriots aroused--Battles of Lexington and
Concord--The Revolution begun--Putnam and the Grand
Rally--Second American Congress--Washington and Adams--Raise an
Army, and choose Washington for Commander-in-chief--Adams'
Opinion of him 295

XVII.

IN THE SIEGE OF BOSTON.

Adams to Washington--Prepares to Take Command--Letter to Mrs.
Washington--His Will--Another Letter--Starts--Meets a
Courier--His Journey--Legislature--Assumes Command--Mrs. Adams'
Opinion--Talk with Gen. Ward--Order and Discipline--Condition of
the Army--Washington's first Order--Change Wrought--Scarcity of
Powder--Feat of Knox--Washington's Headquarters--Day of
Fasting--Arrival of Supplies--Cruelty of British to
Prisoners--Remonstrance Against--Retaliation--Army
Reduced--Feelings of Washington--Proposed Attack on Boston--His
Plan--Cannonading Described--British Repulsed by Storm--Boston
Evacuated--British Depredation--Washington Provides for Charity
at Home--Mrs. Washington in Cambridge--His Rigid Discipline, an
Incident--Old South and North Church--A Theatre and a
Scare--British Pride Humbled--Action of Congress 321