Among the guests, who were all in full courtdress, were the governor, many members of the Legislature, British officers, and the neighboring gentlefolk. Bishop, a tall negro, Washington’s valet,--to whom he was much attached, and who had accompanied him on all his military campaigns,--stood in the porch, dressed in the scarlet uniform of a soldier of George II. At the conclusion of the ceremony Mrs. Washington and her three bridesmaids drove from the church to her own home, the “White house on the Pamunkey River,” in a coach drawn by six horses, led by liveried postilions; while Colonel Washington and an escort of cavaliers rode at the side. Having retired from the army, he occupied himself with the care of his large estate. Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, when he took his seat the Speaker presented him the thanks of the colony for his former distinguished military services. Washington rose, stammered, trembled, but could make no fitting response. The Speaker relieved his embarrassment by saying, “Sit down, Mr. Washington! your modesty equals your valor, and that surpasses the power of any language I possess!” As a delegate in 1774 to the first Continental Congress, during the prayer with which Dr. Duché opened the meetings, Washington knelt while the other members stood. Re-elected in 1775, he was unanimously chosen commander-in-chief on the 17th of June, his commission reading as follows:-- SATURDAY, June 17, 1775. To GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ. We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be General and Commander-in-chief of the army of the United Colonies, and of all the forces now raised or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their services and join the said army for the defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. And you are hereby vested with full power and authority to act as you shall think for the good and welfare of the service. And we do hereby strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders, and diligent in the exercise of their several duties. And we do also enjoin and require you to be careful in executing the great trust reposed in you, by causing strict discipline and order to be observed in the army, and that the soldiers be duly exercised, and provided with all convenient necessaries. And you are to regulate your conduct in every respect by the rules and discipline of war (as herewith given you), and punctually to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of these United Colonies, or Committee of Congress. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress. By order of the Congress.