begin what he though would be a peaceful life of farming. However, this was not to be, because a developing country would have many other plans in store for George Washington. In 1774 Washington was one of the seven delegates selected from Virginia to the First Continental Congress. Washington along with 54 other delegates wrote a “Declaration of Rights and Grievances” which they sent to King George III of England in hopes to prevent a war. However, when the situation only got worse, a second Continental Congress was called in 1775. In St. John’s Church in Richmond delegates argued for and against the possibility of going to war with England. Washington knew that to gain independence a war would have to be fought. However, he also knew that the British would be a very hard adversary to defeat and therefore was very hesitant to go to war. Patric Henry did not agree as we can remember from his famous speech. “ I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Convincing many delegates soonthe outcome was inevitable. To vote was to go ahead and make plans for war, including the development of a Continental Army. On June 15, Washington was unanimously elected to be Commander and Chief of the colonial forces. Graciously he accepted and at age 43 Washington once again took on the role of service in fighting for a country which hadn’t even been developed yet. The job however wasn’t easy. The Continental Army consisted of untrained farmers, had no uniforms, and insufficient weapons. The only thing Washington had on his side was the common dream everyone shared for freedom. Washington took command of the troops and surrounded British-occupied Boston on July 3 retaking the city. The next few months he devoted to training the undisciplined 14,000-man army and trying to secure urgently needed powder and other supplies. Washington then move...
