The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

240 THE FREEMAN Aprilagainst a colonial army, andthough the British drove theAmericans from their positionsthey did so at the expense of heavycasualties.Before the Battle of BunkerHill, however, Congress had actedto take charge of the fighting.George Washington was appointedcommander-in-chief of the armedforces of the colonies; he leftstraightway to take charge of theforces in Massachusetts, which heaccomplished on July 3. GeorgeWashington had gained considerablemilitary experience in theFrench and Indian War. He hadsided with the colonies from theoutset, and while he was neverstrident in his resistance he wasalready beginning to show thatfirmness which was to become hishallmark. A very important considerationat the moment of hisselection, of course, was that hewas from Virginia, the most populousof the colonies; and the NewEnglanders could see that it wasessential to bring other colonies totheir support. The choice ofWashington was unanimous, andthrough all the difficult years andwrangling between Washingtonand Congress, that body neverreally faltered in its support ofhim. Washington chose not to takea salary for .. his contribution butonly to have his expenses paid.Though feeling was runninghigh in America against Britain,there were those in Congress whobelieved that they would be remissin their duty if they did not makeyet another effort to achieve reconciliation.John Dickinson tookthe leadership in drawing up andgetting through Congress on July5, 1775 what is known as the OliveBranch Petition to the king. Themembers assembled declared themselves"Attached to your Majesty'sperson, family, and government,with all devotion that principleand affection can inspire...."This being the case, "We, therefore,beseech your Majesty, thatyour royal authority and influencemay be graciously interprosed toprocure us relief from our afflictingfears and jealousies...."13Recognizing the realities, however,Congress on· the next day adopteddeclarations drawn by Jeffersonand Dickinson which explained theoccasion for their taking up·arms.Congress adjourned on August2 to await developments. Theywere not long in coming, forGeorge III proclaimed the coloniesto be in open rebellion on August23. Benedict Arnold led an expeditionto Canada in the fall, withthe permission of General Washington.In October, Congress authorizeda navy, followed by theopeningup of correspondence withother nations in November, withthe idea of gaining friends. In