| CHAPTER XIII. |
1775.
THE LAST YEAR OF COLONIAL DEPENDENCE.
The spirit roused by the battle of Lexington—Stark and Putnam—Washington's sentiments—Action of Massachusetts Congress—Troops raised—Boston besieged—Ward captain-general—Ethan Allen and Green Mountain Boys—Ticonderogs taken—Crown Point also—Second Continental Congress—Difficulties and embarrassments in its way—Time of trial—Course pursued—Various papers issued—Congress authorize $3,000,000 in paper money—Provincial Congress in New York—Appointment of a commander-in-chief—Not an easy question to decide—Washington unanimously chosen—His acceptance and speech—Declines all pay for services—His commission—Four major-generals and eight brigadier-generals appointed—Washington enters upon his duties—Arrival of reinforcements at Boston—Gage purposes active measures—Breed's Hill fortified by mistake—British greatly surprised—Attempt to dislodge the Americans—Battle of Bunker Hill—Great slaughter of the royal troops—Importance of this battle—Loss of Warren—Washington finds the army sadly in want of everything —Vigorous efforts to organize and discipline the army—Further issue of paper money by Congress—Papers set forth by Congress—Efforts as respected the Indians—Speech to these—Colonel Guy Johnson's course—Georgia joins the other colonies—Delegates sent—The Thirteen United Colonies—Washington's trials and vexations—Necessity of a regular army—Correspondence with General Gage—Large body of colonists not yet ready for separation from the mother country—Documents quoted—Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence—Expedition into Canada—Montreal taken—Quebec assaulted—Montgomery killed—Americans finally driven out of Canada—Washington confers with Congress as to the troops—Council of war decide against Washington's wish to attack Boston—Outrages by English vessels—Congress lay the foundation of the Navy. Appendix to Chapter XIII.—I. A Declaration setting forth the causes and necessity of the colonies taking up arms.—II. Second Petition to the King.
It is well nigh impossible for us, at this day, fully to realize the intense and burning indignation which was aroused throughout the length and breadth of the land, by the news of the battle at Lexington. Blood had been shed; and the blood of murdered brethren cried from the ground for vengeance. Volunteers immediately hastened towards the scene of action, and within a few days Boston was besieged by the outraged people. Stark, of New Hampshire, ten minutes after the news reached him, was on his way to join the patriot force. Israel Putnam, of Connecticut, sixty years of age, was peacefully occupied in ploughing, when the tidings of the battle arrived, and he left his plough in the field, and without even going to his house, sped on his way to the camp All Virginia was aroused. Lord Dunmore had attempted a similar exploit to that of Gage, in seizing upon military stores, which caused great excitement, and nothing but timely concession on the part of the governor prevented bloodshed. In New York, in Philadelphia, and farther south, the spirit of the people showed how deeply they sympathized with their countrymen in Massachusetts. It was felt everywhere that the sword had been drawn, and that now the contest must be decided by the sword. "Unhappy is it," said Washington, writing to Fair-
