On April 19, 1775, fighting
broke out in Massachusetts with the defeat of the British at the
bridge at Concord. The British retreated to Boston,
 |
George Washington
and the
United States flag of 1777 |
saved from complete disaster by a relief force,
and the militia settle in around Boston beginning a spontaneous
siege. On June 10, the Continental
Congress voted to accept these American forces as the Continental
Army and determined to appoint a commanding general. The Continental
Congress voted to appoint George Washington Commander-in-Chief
of the Army on June 15, 1775. He accepted on the 16th, and a formal
commission was adopted on June 17.
Note that the Declaration of Independence
was not to be adopted for another year. Accordingly, Washington
is to command the "the army of the United Colonies."
The penultimate (next-to-last) paragraph
is important. It establishes the principle of civilian control
of the military: a tradition that continues today:
"And you are to regulate
your conduct in every respect by the rules and discipline of
war, (as herewith given you,) and punctually to observe and
follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you
shall receive from this, or a future Congress of these United
Colonies, or committee of Congress."
The Congress met according to adjournment.
The committee appointed to draught a commission to the general,
reported the same, which, being read by paragraphs and debated,
was agreed to and is as follows:
IN CONGRESS
The delegates of the United Colonies
of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, the Counties of New-Castle,
Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina,
and South Carolina; To George Washington, Esq.
We, reposing special trust and confidence
in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these
presents, constitute and appoint you to be General and Commander
in chief, of the army of the United Colonies, and of all the forces
now raised, or to be raised, by them, and of all others who shall
voluntarily offer their service, and join the said Army for the
Defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion
thereof: And you are hereby vested with full power and authority
to act as you shall think for the good and welfare of the service.
And we do hereby strictly charge
and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to
be obedient to your orders, and diligent in the exercise of their
several duties.
And we do also enjoin and require
you, to be careful in executing the great trust reposed in you,
by causing strict discipline and order to be observed in the army,
and that the soldiers be duly exercised, and provided with all
convenient necessaries.
And you are to regulate your conduct
in every respect by the rules and discipline of war, (as herewith
given you,) and punctually to observe and follow such orders and
directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this,
or a future Congress of these United Colonies, or committee of
Congress.
This commission to continue
in force, until revoked by this, or a future Congress.
Journals of the Continental
Congress — Saturday, June 17, 1775
From
the American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress.
