Can you then consent to be the only sufferers by this revolution, and retiring from the field, grow old in poverty, wretchedness, asd contempt? Can you consent to wade through the vile mire of dependency, and owe the miserable remnant of that life to charity, which has hitherto been spent in honor! If you can, go, and carry with you, the jest of tories and the scorn of whigs, the ridicule, and what is worse, the pity of the world. Go starve and be forgotten!"

He advises them to change the milk and water style of their last memorial, to carry their appeal from the justice to the fears of government; and to suspect the man, who should advise to more moderation and longer forbearance.*

It required all the firmness and influence of general Washington, to allay the ferment created by the proceedings of congress, and this inflammatory address.

He immediately issued an order requiring a meeting of the officers, and expressing his disapprobation of any irregular meeting, in consequence of an anonymous notification.

In the mean time, the influence of the general was exerted, in private conversation with individual officers, to induce them to proceed with becoming moderation, and in a manner consistent with their high character and honor.

A meeting was held, agreeably to the order of general Washington, and was opened by an address from him, in which, alluding to the anonymous publication, he gave the author much more credit for the goodness of his pen, than the rectitude of his heart. After stating the great difficulties congress had to encounter in procuring funds from so many different states, declaring his opinion, that complete justice would be done, and assuring them, that all his influence should be exerted in their behalf, he thus concludes: "While I give you these assurances, and pledge myself, in the most unequivocal manner, to exert whatever ability I am possessed of, in your favor, let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measure, which reviewed

*No doubt now remains, that general James Armstrong, then a major, was the author of this address.

in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained. Let me request you to rely on the plighted faith of your country, and place full confidence in the purity of the intentions of congress, that previous to your dissolution as an army, they will cause all your accounts to be fairly liquidated, as directed in the resolutions which were published to you two days ago; and that they will adopt the most effectual measures in their power, to render ample justice to you for your faithful and meritorious services. And let me conjure you in the name of our common country, as you value your own sacred honor, as you respect the rights of humanity, and as you regard the military and national character of America, to express your utmost horror and detestation of the man, who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of our country; and who wickedly attempts to open the flood gates of civil discord, and deluge our rising empire in blood.

"By thus determining and acting, you will pursue the plain and direct road to the attainment of your wishes; you will defeat the insidious designs of our enemies, who are compelled to resort, from open force to secret artifice. You will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; and you will, by the dignity of your conduct afford occasion for posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to mankind, had this day been wanting, the world had never seen the last stage of perfection, to which human nature is capable of attaining."

The nature of this appeal was not to be resisted. After general Washington retired, the officers not only voted him their thanks for his address, but unanimously resolved, that as they engaged in the service of their country from the purest love and attachment to the rights and liberties of human nature, no circumstances of distress or danger should induce a conduct tending to sully their reputation and honor, acquired at the price of their blood, and eight years faithful service-that they still had unshaken confidence in the justice of congress and their country; and that they viewed with ab

horrence and rejected with disdain, the infamous propositions contained in the anonymous address. They also requested the commander in chief, to entreat congress for a speedy decision on their memorial; an event, they said, which, in the alternative of peace or war, would be highly satisfactory, produce immediate tranquillity in the minds of the army, and prevent any further machinations of designing men, to sow discord between the civil and military powers of the United States.

Thus ended an affair, which did indeed threaten discord between the civil and military powers. And had the commander of this victorious but suffering army, been governed by that love of power so natural to man, he might probably have triumphed over the civil institutions of his country.

In communicating these proceedings of the officers to congress, on the 18th of March, general Washington, in the most earnest manner, urged a compliance with the prayer of their memorial. "If," says the general, "besides the simple payment of their wages, a further compensation is not due to the sufferings and sacrifices of the officers, then I have been mistaken indeed; if the whole army have not merited whatever a grateful country can bestow, then I have been beguiled by prejudice, and built opinion on the basis of error. If this country should not, in the event, perform every thing which has been requested in the late memorial to congress, then will my belief become vain, and the hope, that has been excited, void of foundation.

"And, if (as has been suggested, for the purpose of inflaming their passions) the officers of the army are to be the only sufferers by this revolution; if retiring from the field, they are to grow old in poverty, wretchedness and contempt; if they are to wade through the vile mire of dependency, and owe the miserable remnant of that life to charity, which has, hitherto, been spent in honor,' then I have learned what ingratitude is, then shall I have realized a tale, which will embitter every moment of my future life."

On the 22d of March, congress granted to the officers five years full pay, in lieu of the half pay, to be paid in money, or securi

ties on interest, provided it be at the option of the lines of the respective states, not officers individually, to accept or refuse the same. This grant was accepted by the officers in the manner directed.

The news of peace soon after arrived, and arrangements for disbanding the army were made; but as the definitive treaty was not completed, those who were engaged during the war, were dismissed on furlough.

This was attended with some difficulty and delay, for want of funds, even to pay a small sum, to enable the soldiers to return to their homes; and it was not until about the middle of June, that the army left the camp.

General Washington, on the 8th of June addressed a circular letter to the several states, giving them notice of his intended resignation, and congratulating them on the happy termination of the war, and on the numerous advantages and blessings, which, as a free and independent nation, they had now a right to expect. Having in the course of the war experienced, and at times too fatally experienced the evils arising from a failure, on the part of the states, to comply with the requisitions of congress, he reminded them, that, whether these advantages and blessings would be realized, depended, in a great measure, on themselves, on their prompt and mutual co-operation, in promoting the great interests of the union. He considered four things as essentially necessary, to the existence of the United States, as an independent power.

1. An indissoluble union of the states, under one federal head. 2. A sacred regard to justice.

3. The adoption of a proper peace establishment.

4. The prevalence of that 'pacific and friendly disposition, among the people of the United States, which would induce them to forget their local prejudices and policies, to make those mutual concessions, which were requisite to the general prosperity; and, in some instances, to sacrifice their individual advantages, to the interest of the community.

The importance and necessity of these, he enforced with all that practical good sense, and sound political wisdom, for which he was so eminently distinguished.*

On the news of the signature of the definitive treaty, congress, by a general proclamation, finally discharged the army, from and after the 3d of November. They presented them the thanks of the United States for their long and faithful services, and bestowed on them that applause, they so justly merited, for their fortitude and magnanimity, in the most trying scenes of distress, and for a series of the most heroic and illustrious achievements, which exalted them to a high rank among the most zealous and successful defenders of the rights and liberties of mankind. The day previous to their final discharge, general Washington issued to the armies of the United States, his farewell orders.

After alluding to the proclamation of congress, he says, "It only remains for the commander in chief, to address himself once more, and that for the last time, to the armies of the United States, (however widely dispersed the individuals who composed them may be) and to bid them an affectionate-a long farewell. "And being now to conclude these his last public orders, to take his ultimate leave, in a short time, of the military character, and to bid a final adieu to the armies he has so long had the honor to command, he can only again offer, in their behalf, his recommendations to their grateful country, and his prayers to the God of armies. May ample justice be done them here, and may the choicest of heaven's favors, both here and hereafter, attend those, who, under the divine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings for others. With these wishes, and this benediction, the commander in chief is about to retire from service. The curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene to him, be closed forever."

The British army did not finally leave the city of New York, until the 25th of November. On the same day general WashIngton, with some of his principal officers, and the remaining

*Note 16.