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mend moderation and longer forbearance, I spurn it,as every man who regards that liberty and reveres the justice for which we contend, undoubtedly must; for, if men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use to us. The freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. I cannot in justice to my own belief, and which I have great reason to believe is the intention of Congress, conclude this address, without giving it as my decided opinion, that that honorable body entertain exalted sentiments of the services of the army, and from full conviction of its merits and sufferings, will do it complete justice that their endeavours to discover and establish funds, have been unwearied, and will not cease till they have succeeded, I have not a doubt.

BUT like all other large bodies, where there is a variety of different interests to reconcile, their deliberations are slow. Why then should we distrust them? and in consequence of that distrust, adopt measures which would cast a shade over that glory

which has been so justly acquired, and tarnish the reputation of an army which has been celebrated through all Europe for its fortitude and patriotism? and for what is this done? to bring the object we seek for nearer no, most certainly, in my opinion, it will cast it at a greater distance. For myself, and I take no merit in giving the assurance, being induced to it from principles of gratitude, veracity, and justice, a grateful sense of the confidence you have ever placed in me, a recollection of the cheerful assistance and prompt obedience I have experienced from you, under every vicissitude of fortune, and the sincere affection I feel for an army I had so long the honour to command, will oblige me to declare in this public and solemn manner, that in the attainment of complete justice for all your toils and dangers, and in the gratification of every wish, so far as may be done consistently with the great duty I owe my country, and those powers I am bound to respect, you may freely command my services to the utmost of my abilities.

WHILE I give you these assurances and pledge myself in the most unequivocal man

of

ner to exert whatever ability I am possessed of in your favour, let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measures, which, viewed 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 your country, and place a 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 resolu tions 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 honour, as you respect the sacred 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 floodgates of civil discord, and deluge our rising empire with blood.

By thus determining, and thus acting, you will pursue the plain and direct road to the attainment of your wishes; you will defeat the insidious designs of your enemies, who are compelled to resort from open force to secret artifice. You will give one more. proof of unexampled patriotism aud 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."

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Head Quarters, Newburgh,
March 15, 1783.

[HIS excellency the commander in chief having withdrawn,the following resolutions were moved by generals Knox and Putnam, and adopted by the meeting:-" Resolved,that the unanimous thanks of the officers of the army, be presented to the commander in chief for his excellent address, and the communications he has been pleased to make to them; and to assure him, that the officers reciprocate his affectionate expressions, with the greatest sincerity of which the human heart is capable :"- Resolved, that

at the commencement of the war, the officers of the American army engaged in the service of their country from the purest love and attachment to the rights and liberties of human nature ; which motive still exists in the highest degree ; and that no circumstance of distress or danger,shall induce a conduct that may tend to sully. the reputation and glory which they have acquired, at the price of their blood, and eight years faithful service."-" Resolved, that the army continue to have an unshaken confidence in the virtue of Congress, and their country." ."—" Resolved, that the officers of the American army,view with abhorrence, and reject with disdain, the infamous propositions contained in a late anony.nous address to them, and resent with indignation the secret attempts of some unknown person to collect the officers together, in a manner totally subversive of all discipline and good order."]

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