RAISING AN ANNUAL ARMY.

103

by these decisive measures treason seems to have been checked.

The warfare which was carried on before Boston was of a slow and desultory character. The English attacks were chiefly made by sea, some of the seaports were bombarded by the men-of-war ; and the next event of consequence which happened was the recall to England of General Gage, who was succeeded by General Howe.

A council was held amongst the Americans, at which Washington presided and Franklin attended, and it was determined that an army of 22,272 men should be raised, but they were only to be enlisted for one year; and this plan gave much trouble afterwards to Washington and his generals, for few of the soldiers were patriotic enough to be ready for re-enlistment when the time came for it. Also, there were endless jealousies and difficulties amongst the men of different States. Washington sometimes wished, in the bitterness of his heart, that he was in command of a single regiment rather than commander-in-chief of the whole. He says, "It takes you two or three months to bring men acquainted with their duty; it takes a longer time to bring a people of the temper and genius of these into such a subordinate way of thinking as is necessary for a soldier. Before this is accomplished, the time approaches for their dismissal, and you are beginning to make interest for their continuance for another limited period, in the doing of which you are obliged to relax in your discipline, in order, as it were, to curry favour with them. Thus the latter part of your time is employed in undoing what the first was accomplishing."

He also discovered that the patriotism and self-sacrifice which were burning in his own heart were not so powerful in

others. There was too much desire for money; too much grasping for benefits; too much self-seeking in those around him for his great nature to be entirely sympathetic with theirs. He writes to Mr. Reed, who had been his secretary, and who was his confidential friend: "Such a dearth of public spirit and want of virtue, such stock-jobbing and fertility in all the low arts to obtain advantages of one kind or another, in this great change of military government, I never before saw, and I pray God I may never see again." This was a strong protest, but we must remember that it was the expression of an American of a most lofty spirit; a man who scorned all self-advantage, who was fighting not for fame, or wealth, or glory, but from the purest patriotism.

"He

General Greene, in writing of the commander at this time, seems to feel that Washington had formed his opinion of his army too hastily-that his own enthusiasm had somewhat blinded his eyes to the real character of these men. has not had time," he writes, " to make himself acquainted with the genius of this people. They are naturally as brave and spirited as the peasantry of any other country; but you cannot expect veterans of a raw militia only from a few months' service. The common people are exceedingly avaricious; the genius of the people is commercial, from their long intercourse with trade. The sentiment of honour, the true characteristic of a soldier, has not yet got the better of interest. His excellency has been taught to believe the people here a superior race of mortals; and finding them of the same temper and dispositions, passions and prejudices, virtues and vices of the common people of other governments, they sank in his esteem.”

CHAPTER XI,

MEANWHILE affairs in Canada had not prospered. The expedition was a most difficult one, for cold and hunger had tried the soldiers. Dismal stories are told of the boats that were dashed to pieces in the torrents, and of the moccasins, cartouche-boxes, &c., that were boiled for food. But Arnold's bravery at this time was great, and he led his men on to Quebec unfalteringly. General Schuyler wrote to Washington an account of all that was being done, at the same time telling him of the difficulties he had in the management of his undisciplined troops. General Montgomery shared these difficulties, and both became anxious to leave the service. Washington's letter to Schuyler shows how his own hard task was teaching him forbearance and patience. "I am exceedingly sorry to find you so much embarrassed by the disregard of discipline, confusion, and want of order among the troops. I know that your complaints are too well founded, but would willingly hope that nothing will induce you to quit the service.

I have met with difficulties of the same sort, and such as I never expected, but they must be borne with. The cause we are engaged in is so just and righteous that we must try to rise superior to every obstacle in its support."

In another letter he says, "I am sorry that you and General Montgomery incline to quit the service. Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not?

Should any difficulties that they may have to encounter at this important crisis deter them? God knows there is not a difficulty that you both very justly complain of, that I have not in an eminent degree experienced, that I am not every day experiencing; but we must bear up against them, and make the best of mankind as they are, since we cannot have them as we wish."

General Schuyler replied: "I do not hesitate to answer my dear general's question in the affirmative, by declaring that now or never is the time for every virtuous American to exert himself in the cause of liberty and his country; and that it is become a duty to sacrifice the sweets of domestic felicity to attain the honest and glorious aim America has in view."

All this time the Americans were preparing to bombard Boston. General Putnam had a large gun, which he affectionately named "The Congress ;" and all his cry was for sufficient powder for it. Batteries were being erected, and it was hardly known what day the bombardment might commence; yet still the eagerly watched-for supplies of ammunition did not arrive. Washington had his thoughts somewhat disturbed just at this period by hearing that Mount Vernon was threatened. It would not have been a difficult matter to destroy it by landing from the Potomac ; and it was thought safer that Mrs. Washington should be moved to the camp at Cambridge. Accordingly, she made her appearance there one day in her chariot drawn by four horses, with black postilions in scarlet and white liveries. She took upon herself all the duties of entertaining which were so necessary in Washington's position; and though Washington himself was for the most part very grave, from the weight of care and anxiety which was always resting upon him, there

was a great deal of mirth and cheerfulness at his headquarters. News came from Canada that General Montgomery had captured St. John's, and that Arnold, after a bold attempt upon Quebec, had been defeated. Washington wrote to him about this event a sentence which has long been an adage amongst us: "It is not in the power of any man to command success; but you have done more, you have deserved it." *

In December the time came for the disbandment of the troops after the first term of service. Washington did all he could to hold them together, "he made repeated appeals to their patriotism; they were unheeded. He caused popular and patriotic songs to be sung in the camp; they passed by like the wind. Home, home, home, throbbed in every heart. The desire of retiring into a chimney-corner,' said Washington, reproachfully, 'seized the troops as soon as their terms expired.""

He writes to Mr. Reed about this time: "It is easier to conceive than to describe the situation of my mind for some time past, and my feelings under our present circumstances. Search the volumes of history through, and I much question whether a case similar to ours is to be found, viz., to maintain a post against the power of the British troops for six months together, without powder, and then to have one army disbanded and another raised within musket-shot of a reinforced enemy. How it will end, God, in His great goodness, will direct. I am thankful for His protection to this time. We are told that we shall soon get the army

From Addison's "Cato:"

""Tis not for mortals to command success,

But we'll do more, Sempronius, we'll deserve it.'