public or private knowledge about Europe I am possessed of. Besides many private letters that may introduce you to my friends, I intend giving you the key of the cabinet, as well as of the societies which influence them. In a word, my good friend, any thing in my power shall be entirely yours."

The object of this mission was a loan from France. The necessity of it, so strongly urged by Hamilton upon Congress, had prompted him to advise another visit to France by La Fayette, whose influence was supposed to have been increased by a recent change in the ministry. The idea was entertained, that Hamilton might be associated with him in this interesting mission. But the prospect of active service in the south had greater charms for the marquis, and it was decided that a member of Washington's family should be appointed. The choice was between Hamilton and Laurens. The latter was chosen unanimously on the eleventh of December. Laurens wrote to Washington: "Your excellency will not be a little surprised to learn, that Congress have determined to send me to France, for the special purpose of representing the present state of our affairs and soliciting the necessary succors. I was in great hopes that Congress would have availed themselves of the abilities of Colonel Hamilton for these important objects, and that I should have been suffered to persevere in a line of duty, to which I feel myself more adequate. But, unfortunately for America, Colonel Hamilton was not sufficiently known to Congress to unite their suffrages in his favor; and I was assured, that there remained no other alternative than the total failure of the business. Thus circumstanced, I was induced to submit, and renounce my plan of participating in the Southern campaign."

Three days after this appointment, Hamilton was

married to Eliza, the second daughter of General Schuy ler, at the residence of her father in Albany, and thus became permanently established in the State of New York. A distinguished Frenchman describes her as "a charming woman, who joins to the graces all the candor and simplicity of an American wife."*

* Brissot's New Travels, p. 166. VOL. II-10

CHAPTER XXIV.

WITHOUT prospect of relief from Congress, or apprehension of danger from the enemy, the American army, in the daily routine of duty among their rugged and sterile winter-quarters, were brooding over their wrongs. The discontents of a part at last rose to mutiny. On the evening of the first of January, the Pennsylvania line, which, Colonel Lee observed, should have been called, "the line of Ireland," disregarding the expostulations of their officers, some of whom were killed, others wounded in their efforts to quell the tumult, moved from Morristown with their arms and six pieces of artillery. Their purpose was to extort relief from Congress, sitting at Philadelphia.

On receiving the intelligence of this occurrence, Washington, having satisfied himself of the temper of the troops at West Point, resolved to hasten forward and use his personal influence with the mutineers. From this step he was dissuaded. Wayne in the mean time opened a negotiation with his men, promising a redress of their grievances, and immunity for their misconduct. A sergeant from each regiment met him, and stated their well-founded complaints many were continued in service after their terms of enlistment had expired-to all, arrearages of pay were due—their losses by the depreciation of the cur

rency had not been made up-they were in want of money and clothing, yet they were prevented selling their depreciation certificates. Promises of redress were given, and a committee of Congress was appointed, of whom General Sullivan was the most prominent, in concert with the president of Pennsylvania, to confer with the soldiery. Apprehensive of overtures to the mutineers from the enemy, Wayne ordered the Jersey line to Chatham. An overture, nevertheless, was made, which was attended with the happiest effect. The emissaries were seized by the troops, a letter to the malcontents taken from them, and handed to Wayne. The pride of the soldiers was appealed to, and their patriotism roused. The committee of Congress met them at this opportune moment. Terms were made, and the emissaries, convicted by a court-martial, were immediately executed. For want of proper care, the greater part of the line was dismissed, though but a few were entitled to dismission.

Washington, feeling the danger of this example, was about to send forward a detachment to reduce them to submission, but he also deeply felt the wrongs of the soldiers, and that relief must not be delayed. General Knox, charged with despatches, was deputed to obtain from the four Eastern States money and clothing.

The infectious example was a few days after followed by a part of the Jersey line. Hamilton was absent at Albany during the previous revolt. It was felt that a resort to decisive measures was the only true policy, and should this second revolt be permitted to get head, that a dissolution of the army would be inevitable. He immediately, over the signature of Washington, wrote an order to General Howe to march against the mutineers. "The object is to compel them to unconditional submission; and I am to desire that you will grant no terms

while they are with arms in their hands in a state of resistance. The manner of executing this, I leave to your discretion. If you should succeed in compelling the revolted troops to surrender, you will instantly execute a few of the most active and incendiary leaders." He was to endeavor to collect the obedient Jersey troops, and to avail himself of the services of the militia, "representing to them how dangerous to civil liberty is the precedent of armed soldiers dictating terms to their country."

A circular was at the same time addressed by Hamilton, in Washington's name, to the Eastern States, renewing his solicitations: "With flour we are fed only from day to day. We have received few or no cattle for some time past, nor do we know of any shortly to be expected. The salted meat is nearly exhausted." The instructions to Howe were carried into effect. His detachment made a long march over mountainous roads and through a deep snow with the greatest patience, and obeyed every order with alacrity.* The mutiny was suppressed. Two of the principal actors executed. "The existence of the army," Hamilton wrote, "called for an example." In both these mutinies the soldiers were chiefly foreigners. The native troops continued faithful.

A similar spirit was manifested by the troops in New York. Schuyler wrote to Hamilton: "The two regiments threaten to march to head-quarters, unless some money is paid them, the certificates for the depreciation expedited, and in future to be supplied with provisions." A private subscription for their relief was raised, and quiet was restored. Schuyler thus adverts in this letter to Hamilton's declining an offer of pecuniary aid: "I am pleased with every instance of delicacy in those who are so dear to

Circular to the States.