mmand of Virginia troops, 88;
accepts it when offered, 88;
his difficulties with Assembly, 89;
and with troops, 90;
settles question of rank, 91;
writes freely in criticism of government, 91, 92;
retires for rest to Mt. Vernon, 93;
offers services to General Forbes, 93;
irritated at slowness of English, 93, 94;
his love affairs, 95, 96;
journey to Boston, 97-101;
at festivities in New York and Philadelphia, 99;
meets Martha Custis, 101;
his wedding, 101, 102;
elected to House of Burgesses, 102;
confused at being thanked by Assembly, 102;
his local position, 103;
tries to farm his estate, 104;
his management of slaves, 105, 106, 108, 109;
cares for interests of old soldiers, 109;
rebukes a coward, 110;
cares for education of stepson, 111;
his furnishing of house, 112;
hunting habits, 113-115;
punishes a poacher, 116;
participates in colonial and local government, 117;
enters into society, 117, 118.

_Congressional delegate from Virginia_.
His influence in Assembly, 119;
discusses Stamp Act with Mason, 119;
foresees result to be independence, 119;
rejoices at its repeal, but notes Declaratory Act, 120;
ready to use force to defend colonial rights, 120;
presents non-importation resolutions to Burgesses, 121;
abstains from English products, 121;
notes ominous movements among Indians, 122;
on good terms with royal governors, 122, 123;
observes fast on account of Boston Port Bill, 123;
has controversy with Bryan Fairfax over Parliamentary policy,
124, 125, 126;
presides at Fairfax County meeting, 126;
declares himself ready for action, 126;
at convention of counties, offers to march to relief of Boston, 127;
elected to Continental Congress, 127;
his journey, 128;
silent in Congress, 129;
writes to a British officer that independence is not
desired, but war is certain, 130, 131;
returns to Virginia, 132;
aids in military preparations, 132;
his opinion after Concord, 133;
at second Continental Congress, wears uniform, 134;
made commander-in-chief, 134;
his modesty and courage in accepting position, 134, 135;
political motives for his choice, 135;
his popularity, 136;
his journey to Boston, 136, 137;
receives news of Bunker Hill, 136;
is received by Massachusetts Provincial Assembly,