GEORGE WILLIAM FAIRFAX. 469 constitutional grounds, may be restored, and the horrors of civil discord prevented." * This letter we have considered especially worthy of citation, from its being so full and explicit a declaration of Washington's sentiments and opinions at this critical juncture. His views on the question of independence are particularly noteworthy, from his being at this time in daily and confidential communication with the leaders of the popular movement, and among them with the delegates from Boston. It is evident that the filial feeling still throbbed toward the mother country, and a complete separation from her had not yet entered into the alternatives of her colonial children. On the breaking up of Congress, Washington hastened back to Mount Vernon, where his presence was more than usually important to the happiness of Mrs. Washington, from the loneliness caused by the recent death. of her daughter, and the absence of her son. The cheerfulness of the neighborhood had been diminished of late by the departure of George William Fairfax for England, to take possession of estates which had devolved to him in that kingdom. His estate of Belvoir, so closely allied to that of Mount Vernon by family ties and reciprocal hospitality, was left in charge of a steward or overseer. Through some accident the house took fire, and was burnt to the ground. It was never rebuilt. The course *Sparks. Washington's Writings, vol. ii. p. 899. it is not the wish or interest of that government, or any other upon this continent, separately or collectively, to set up for independence; but this you may at the same time rely on, that none of them will ever submit to the loss of their valuable rights and privileges, which are essential to the happiness of every free state, and without which, life, liberty, and property are rendered totally insecure. "These, sir, being certain consequences, which must naturally result from the late acts of Parliament relative to America in general, and the government of Massachusetts in particular, is it to be wondered at that men who wish to avert the impending blow, should attempt to oppose its progress, or prepare for their defense, if it cannot be averted? Surely I may be allowed to answer in the negative; and give me leave to add, as my opinion, that more blood will be spilled on this occasion, if the ministry are determined to push matters to extremity, than history has ever yet furnished instances of in the annals of North America; and such a vital wound will be given to the peace of this great country, as time itself cannot cure, or eradicate the remembrance of." In concluding, he repeats his views with respect to independence: "I am well satisfied that no such thing is desired by any thinking man in all North America; on the contrary, that it is the ardent wish of the warmest advocates for liberty, that peace and tranquillity, upon GEORGE WILLIAM FAIRFAX. 469 constitutional grounds, may be restored, and the horrors of civil discord prevented." * This letter we have considered especially worthy of citation, from its being so full and explicit a declaration of Washington's sentiments and opinions at this critical juncture. His views on the question of independence are particularly noteworthy, from his being at this time in daily and confidential communication with the leaders of the popular movement, and among them with the delegates from Boston. It is evident that the filial feeling still throbbed toward the mother country, and a complete separation from her had not yet entered into the alternatives of her colonial children. On the breaking up of Congress, Washington hastened back to Mount Vernon, where his presence was more than usually important to the happiness of Mrs. Washington, from the loneliness caused by the recent death of her daughter, and the absence of her son. The cheerfulness of the neighborhood had been diminished of late by the departure of George William Fairfax for England, to take possession of estates which had devolved to him in that kingdom. His estate of Belvoir, so closely allied to that of Mount Vernon by family ties and reciprocal hospitality, was left in charge of a steward or overseer. Through some accident the house took fire, and was burnt to the ground. It was never rebuilt. The course * Sparks. Washington's Writings, vol. ii. p. 899. of political events which swept Washington from his quiet home into the current of public and military life, prevented William Fairfax, who was a royalist, though a liberal one, from returning to his once happy abode, and the hospitable intercommunion of Mount Vernon and Belvoir was at an end forever. CHAPTER XXXVI. GAGE'S MILITARY MEASURES.-REMOVAL OF GUNPOWDER FROM THE ARSENAL -PUBLIC AGITATION. ALARMS IN THE COUNTRY. CIVIL GOVERNMENT OBSTRUCTED. -BELLIGERENT SYMPTOMS. ISRAEL PUTNAM AND GENERAL CHARLES LEE, THEIR CHARACTERS AND STORIES. GENERAL ELECTION.SELF-CONSTITUTED CONGRESS.-HANCOCK PRESIDENT.-ADJOURNS TO CONCORD.-REMONSTRANCE TO GAGE. HIS PERPLEXITIES.-GENERALS ARTEMAS WARD AND SETH POMEROY.-COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.--COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES. RESTLESSNESS THROUGHOUT THE LAND.-INDEPENDENT COMPANIES IN VIRGINIA.-MILITARY TONE AT MOUNT VERNON.-WASHINGTON'S MILITARY GUESTS.-MAJOR HORATIO GATES.-ANECDOTES CONCERNING HIM.GENERAL CHARLES LEE. HIS PECULIARITIES AND DOGS.-WASHINGTON AT THE RICHMOND CONVENTION.-WAR SPEECH OF PATRICK HENRY.-WASHINGTON'S MILITARY INTENTIONS. HE rumor of the cannonading of Boston, which had thrown such a gloom over the religious ceremonial at the opening of Congress, had been caused by measures of Governor Gage. The public mind, in Boston and its vicinity, had been rendered excessively jealous and sensitive by the landing and encamping of artillery upon the Common, and Welsh Fusiliers on Fort Hill, and by the planting of four large field-pieces on Boston Neck, the only entrance to the town by land. The country people were arming and disciplining themselves in every direction, and collecting and depositing |