"We have one here. The man who saved the wreck of Braddock's army is just the one to build a nation. I nominate George Washington as the commander-in-chief of the army of liberation!"
There was an outburst of cheering such as the Quaker City had but seldom heard.
The delegates knew Washington.
He was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, and had previously made a name for himself with Braddock.
When his name was mentioned by Adams he left the hall.
He was afraid to remain for fear he should be called upon to accept.
He wanted time for deliberation.
The congress adjourned until the following Thursday.
The delegates talked the matter over, and when the Congress reassembled George Washington was the unanimous choice of the delegates.
But before he was asked to give his answer, articles of confederation were drawn up and signed, and the colonies became one for the purposes of mutual defense.