ment and expenses of the war.[238]

The colonies had done much for their own defence, but they acted as so
many petty independent Governments, and could not be brought to combine
their resources of men and money in any systematical method, under some
central authority as the same colonies did twenty years later in the
American Revolution; and the first proceedings of Abercrombie and
Loudoun rendered them powerless to command the confidence and united
action of the colonies. General Abercrombie was appointed
Commander-in-Chief, to supersede General Shirley, until the arrival of
the Earl of Loudoun. Abercrombie landed in New York the 12th of June,
with two regiments, and forty German officers, who were to raise and
train recruits for Loudoun's Royal American regiment of four thousand--a
most impolitic proceeding, which offended and discouraged the colonists.
On his arrival at New York he received letters from the shrewd and able
Governor of Virginia, Dinwiddie, recommending Washington as "a very able
and deserving gentleman," who "has from the beginning commanded the
forces of this Dominion. He is much beloved, has gone through many
hardships in the service, has great merit, and can raise more men here
than any one," and urged his promotion in the British army. But
Washington's services and rank were never recognized in the British
army. A week after Abercrombie's arrival in New York, he wrote (June 19,
1756) a letter to Governor Colden: "I find you never will be able to
carry on anything to any purpose in America, till you have a viceroy or
superintendent over all the provinces." He stated that Lord Loudoun's
arrival would produce "a great change in affairs."

The 25th of June Abercrombie arrived at Albany, and forthwith insisted
that the regular officers should take precedence of the provincial
officers, and that the troops should be quartered in private houses,
which he accomplished two days afterwards; for on the 27th, "in spite
of every subterfuge, the soldiers were at last billeted upon the town,"
to the great indignation of the Mayor, who wished all the soldiers back
again, "for" said he, "we can defend our frontiers ourselves."

The next day after Abercrombie's arrival, Shirley (now relinquishing the
office of Commander-in-Chief) informed General Abercrombie of the
exposed and unsafe state of Oswego, advising that two battalions be sent
forward for its protection; that 200 boats were ready, and every
magazine al