The supremacy of parliament was an unfortunate issue for ministers. It placed the patriots in a position to hurl their darts at _them_ without refusing allegiance to the _king_. The British cabinet worked out its own destruction with regard to the American colonies--if not with fear and trembling it was with blindness and disgrace--impolicy and injustice--obstinacy and infatuation. In May, 1775, Mr. Adams again took his seat in Congress with renewed responsibilities resting upon him. Revolution was rolling fearfully upon his bleeding country--hope of redress was expiring like the last flickerings of a taper--dark and portentous clouds were concentrating--the ministerial ermine was steeped in blood--the dying groans of his fellow-citizens and the lamentations of widows and orphans had fallen upon his ears and the prophetic conclusion arrived at by him and Henry but a few months previous, was forced upon the mind of every patriot, "_after all we must fight._" As a preliminary measure it was necessary to appoint a leader of the military forces to be raised. To fix upon the _best_ man was of vital importance. Some thought the measure premature. Not so with the sons of New England. When the blood of their friends was wantonly shed upon the heights of Lexington they hung their siren harps upon the weeping willows that stood mournfully over the graves of their murdered brethren. In their view, war was inevitable. A commander-in-chief must be appointed. Several prominent persons were named in private conversations. John Adams, alone, had fixed his mind upon George Washington, in whom he saw the commingled qualities of philanthropist, philosopher, statesman, hero and Christian. All opposed his appointment at first but gradually yielded to the reasons urged by John Adams. Satisfied that the measure would be approved by a majority, he rose in Congress and proposed that a commander of the American armies should be appointed. When his resolution passed, he described the requisite qualities of the man to fill this important station and remarked with great emphasis--"_such a man is within these walls._" But few knew to whom he referred, no one believing himself duly and truly prepared or properly vouched for as a military man. A pause--a painful suspense--then the name of Col. GEORGE WASHINGTON of Virginia was announced by Mr. Adams. No one could be more surprised than the nominee. No intimation of the intended honor had been made to him. The vote was taken the day following and was unanimous in his favor. So judicious was this selection that La Fayette remarked--"It was the consequence of Providential inspiration." Be it so--John Adams was the patriot who nominated him--thus placing at the head of the American armies just such a man as the crisis required--prudent, dignified, bold, sagacious, patient, persevering--universally esteemed by the friends of FREEDOM--admired by the most fervent friends of the crown.