ington's share in the debates we have no means of knowing, but there can be no doubt that he exercised a powerful influence; for it is related that shortly after the return of the members, Patrick Henry was asked whom he thought the greatest man in Congress. "If you speak of eloquence," he replied, "Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, is by far the greatest orator; but if you speak of solid information and sound judgment, Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest man on that floor."
Affairs in Massachusetts, meanwhile, were becoming more and more critical. General Gage had issued writs in August for a meeting of the General Court, at Salem, on the 5th of October; but, alarmed at the appearance of things, he thought it expedient to countermand the writs by a proclamation suspending the meeting of the House. The representatives, however, to the number of ninety, assembled at the time specified, denying the legality of the governor's proclamation; and as Gage did not appear, they resolved themselves into a provincial Congress, and adjourned to Concord. Hancock was chosen president, and a remonstrance was sent to the governor against all his recent measures, requesting also that he would desist from erecting fortifications on Boston Neck. Gage replied, that he was only doing what was necessary for the safety and comfort of the troops, and warned the members of the House against the illegal course they were pursuing. But they boldly went forward to meet the emergency. A Committee was appointed to prepare a plan for the defence of the province; orders were issued for enlisting a body of men to be ready, at a minute's warning, to appear in arms; three generals, Preble, Ward, and Pomeroy, were appointed to command these minute-men and the militia who might be called into active service; and Committees of Safety and of Supplies were chosen. A few weeks later they determined that twelve thousand men should be raised and equipped, and, besides appointing Thomas and Heath as generals, they invited the co-operation of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. "The events of this time," says Ramsay, "may be transmitted to posterity; but the agitation of the public mind can never be fully comprehended but by those who were witnesses of it."
Botta[1] gives a graphic account of the state of things in Boston at this time. The garrison was formidable; the fortifications were carried to perfection; and little hope remained that this city could be wrested from British domination. Nor could the citizens natter themselves more with the hope of escaping by sea, as the port was blockaded by a squadron. Thus confined amidst an irritated soldiery, the Bostouians found themselves exposed to endure all the outrages to be apprehended from military license. Their
- ↑ " History of the War of Independence," vol. i. p. 272.
can stand in preference to the delegates of America assembled in general Congress at Philadelphia. I trust it is obvious to your lordships, that all attempts to impose servitude upon such men, to establish despotism over such a mighty continental nation, must be in vain— must be futile."
