"I am convinced," he said, "as much as of my existence, that there is no relief for us but in their distress; and I think, at least I hope, that there is public virtue enough left among us to deny ourselves everything but the bare necessaries of life to accomplish this end."

Meetings were held in the large towns to impress this national self-denial on the people, and explain to them the purposes and desires of their leaders; and as the time of the first Congress drew on, Patrick Henry and Edmund Pendleton, who both took an active part in the affairs of their country, joined Washington at Mount Vernon, to discuss plans for the future with him.

PART II.

WASHINGTON AS COMMANDER, IN THE WAR

OF INDEPENDENCE.

"Such was he: his work is done,

But while the races of mankind endure

Let his great example stand

Colossal, seen of every land,

And keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure :

Till in all lands, and thro' all human story,

The path of duty be the way to glory."

TENNYSON.

PART II.

CHAPTER IX.

Ir was on Monday, the 5th of September, 1774, that the first general Congress assembled. It was gathered in a large room in Philadelphia. Washington was there, with Richard Henry Lee, to whom the child's letter had been written so many years before; Patrick Henry, John Adams, Peyton Randolph, Edmund Pendleton, were also there. Sectional and provincial feeling was thrown aside. There was one common object-one mutual purpose. "I am not a Virginian," said Patrick Henry, "I am an American."

The spirit of the Puritan forefathers seemed to wake again amongst them. The discussion was commenced with a solemn service on the 7th. A special excitement and enthusiasm was given to it by a rumour which had been widely spread that Boston had been cannonaded. The Church Service was read, and amongst the Psalms for the day was the 35th, beginning, "Plead thou my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: and fight thou against them that fight against me. Lay hand upon the shield and buckler and stand up to help me. Let them be

turned back, and brought to confusion, that imagine mischief for me." "It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read upon that morning," said John Adams, in a letter to his wife.

There was one man who seemed specially moved by that solemn service-one whose whole heart seemed to follow it. While others stood, he knelt, and when it was

F

over he seemed too much overcome to speak. The destiny of a nation was resting on him, though he was as yet unconscious of it, and only felt and saw the long shadows of coming events. This was Washington. No thought of gaining distinction or honour for himself was in him. He was a pure patriot. His great heart beat only for his country.

Patrick Henry was the first to break the silence, which became almost oppressive when the prayers were ended. He poured forth one of his passionate bursts of eloquence, rousing the hearts of all present. He was followed by Richard Lee and others; but when Patrick Henry was afterwards asked whom he considered the best speaker in Congress, he said, "If you speak of eloquence, 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."

After a discussion of the grievances of America, a statement was drawn up which was called a "Declaration of Rights." It commenced with these striking words :

"Resolved unanimously,-That the inhabitants of the English colonies of North America, by the immutable laws of nature, the principles of the English Constitution, and the several charts or compacts, have the following rights :

"1. That they are entitled to life, liberty, and property; and they have never ceded to any foreign power whatever a right to dispose of either without their consent.

"2. That our ancestors who first settled these colonies were, at the time of their emigration from the mother country, entitled to all the rights, liberties, and immunities of free and natural-born subjects within the realm of America.

"3. That by such emigration they by no means forfeited, surrendered, or lost any of those rights, but that they were, and their descen