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HAO WE the information, there would be reason for talking about Nicholas' first tooth and its subsequent influence upon our .history. We would then follow this with several paragraphs, appropriately titled by such legends, as "Our Hero at School," "His First Fight," "Vacation Days." But since the pages of history have never divulged the minutiae of Friend Samuel Nicholas' early life, we are forced to begin by observing events that happen to be recorded.
On the 10th of November, 1775, Congress adopted, the following resolution:
Resolved: That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two LieutenantColonels, two Majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of Privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and second Battalion of Marines.
It is apparent that the Continental Congress intended the senior officer of Marines be a Colonel, but this rank was never conferred upon any Marine officer during the Revolution. On the 28th of November, 1775, the Marine Committee of the Continental Congress appointed Samuel Nicholas, of Philadelphia, Captain of Marines. Why the Committee appointed Nicholas in preferment to other candidates for the office has never been fully explained; it made no mistake however. This gentle-appearing Quaker received the first commission issued in the Continental Naval Service. (This very commission is in the possession of Nicholas' great-grandson, who now resides in Glen Ridge, N. J.) Captain Nicholas no sooner received official confirmation of his appointment to office: than he established recruiting headquarters at Tun's Tavern, Philadelphia.
By January of 1776, having recruited a sufficient number of Marines to man the seven (or was it eight) vessels that comprised the Continental Navy in the waters about Philadelphia, Captain Nicholas assumed command of the Marine detachment of the "ALFRED." With Commodore Hopkins in command,...