n 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, 137.

_Commander of the Army_.
Takes command at Cambridge, 137;
his impression upon people, 137, 138, 139;
begins reorganization of army, 139;
secures number of troops, 140;
enforces discipline, his difficulties, 140, 141;
forced to lead Congress, 142;
to arrange rank of officers, 142;
organizes privateers, 142;
discovers lack of powder, 143;
plans campaigns in Canada and elsewhere, 143, 144;
his plans of attack on Boston overruled by council of war, 144;
writes to Gage urging that captives be treated as prisoners of war,
145;
skill of his letter, 146;
retorts to Gage's reply, 147;
continues dispute with Howe, 148;
annoyed by insufficiency of provisions, 149;
and by desertions, 149;
stops quarrel between Virginia and Marblehead soldiers, 149;
suggests admiralty committees, 150;
annoyed by army contractors, 150;
and criticism, 151;
letter to Joseph Reed, 151;
occupies Dorchester Heights, 152;
begins to like New England men better, 152;
rejoices at prospect of