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passage was the only circumstance which reconciled them to it. the vote being past, altho' further observn on it was out of order, he could not refrain from rising and expressing his satisfaction and concluded by saying "there is but one word, mr President, in the paper which I disapprove, & that is the word Congress." on which Ben Harrison rose and said "there is but one word in the paper, mr President, of which I approve, and that is the word Congress [.]""

Indeed, looking backward, many of the words of this Congress seem like anomalies! Especially is this true of the declaration- the most important measure of the year -setting forth the causes of taking up arms. Though, in effect, a declaration of war, it said: "Lest this declaration should disquiet the minds of our friends and fellowsubjects in any part of the Empire, we assure them that we mean not to dissolve that union which has so long and so happily subsisted between us, and which we sincerely wish to see restored."

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ently) writes from New 24th: "[SA] As it may u to know General W's ad point of American indeto acquaint you that I have times lately on the Subject, nion that a reconciliation with cable impolitic, and would be in imental to the true Interests of he first took the Command of the Idea of independence but is now else will save us

re the birth of the new army, we find New Hampshire "establishing a form

III

SEVENTEEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SIX

ANUARY 3, 1776, gave being to the new army

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at Cambridge. Washington-whose life Robert

Morris, six months later, declared "[U] the most valuable in America" - hoisted the Union flag, in compliment to the united Colonies. On the 30th, he writes thence to the President of Congress: "[Y] The clouds thicken fast; where they will burst, I know not; but we should be armed at all points."

This was always Washington's appeal.

At no time, so far as we know, did he waste his powers, or invite the refusal of his constant and necessary demands upon Congress, by urging upon it or any of its members a declaration of independence.

To Joseph Reed, however, Washington, in 1776, openly expressed his opinions. On January 31st, he writes: "[Y] A few more of such flaming arguments, as were exhibited at Falmouth and Norfolk, added to the sound doctrine and unanswerable reasoning contained in the pamphlet Common Sense,'1 will not leave numbers at a loss to decide upon the propriety of a separation "; on February 10th, though his situation, as described by himself, had "[Y] been such, that I have been obliged to use art to conceal it from my own officers": "With respect to myself, I have never entertained an idea of an

accommodation, since I heard of the measures, which were adopted in consequence of the Bunker's Hill fight. The King's speech has confirmed the sentiments I entertained the news of that affair; and, if every man upon was of my mind, the ministers of Great Britain should know . . that, if nothing else could satisfy a tyrant and his diabolical ministry, we are determined to shake off all connexions with a state so unjust and unnatural. This I would tell them, not under covert, but in words as clear as the sun in its meridian brightness"; and, on April 15th3: "[Y] I am exceedingly concearned to hear3 of the divisions and parties, which prevail with you, and in the southern colonies, on the score of independence. These are the shelves we have to avoid or our bark will split and tumble to pieces. . . Nothing but disunion can hurt our cause."

Indeed, William Palfray (evidently) writes from New York to Samuel Adams, May 24th: "[SA] As it may be of some importance to you to know General W's Sentiments respecting the grand point of American independence I think my duty to acquaint you that I have heard him converse several times lately on the Subject, and delivered it as his opinion that a reconciliation with Great Britain is impracticable impolitic, and would be in the highest degree detrimental to the true Interests of America-That when he first took the Command of the Army he abhorr'd the Idea of independence but is now fully convinced nothing else will save us

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Two days before the birth of the new army, we find the Assembly of New Hampshire establishing a form

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