to stifle the feelings of joy in his own bosom, of. fers his most cordial congratulations on the occasion to all the officers of every denomination; to son's who is at the head of troops who are regard-would be ingratitude not to rejoice; it would be less of order and discipline, and who are unpro-insensibility not to participate in the general felivided with almost every necessary. In a word, the city. difficulties which have forever surrounded me, The commander in chief, far from endeavoring since I have been in the service, and kept my mind constantly upon the stretch; the wounds which my feelings, as an officer, have received by a thousand things which have happened contrary to my ex- all the troops of the United States in general; and pectations and wishes; added to a consciousness in particular to those gallant and persevering men of my inability to govern an army composed of who had resolved to defend the rights of their insuch discordant parts, and under such a variety of vaded country, so long as the war should continue. intricate and perplexing circumstances, induce, not For these are men who ought to be considered as only a belief, but a thorough conviction in my mind, that it will be impossible, unless there is a thorough change in our military system, for me to conduct matters in such a manner as to give satisfaction to the public, which is all the recompense I aim at, or ever wished for. Before I conclude, I must apologize for the liberties taken in this letter, and for the blots and scratchings therein, not having time to give it more correctly. With truth I can add, that, with every sentiment of respect and esteem, I am your's and the congress' most obedient, &c. GEO. WASHINGTON, the pride and boast of the American army; and who, crowned with well earned laurels, may soon withdraw from the field of glory to the more tranquil walks of civil life. While the commander in chiefrecollects the almost infinite variety of scenes through which we have past, with a mixture of pleasure, astonishment, and gratitude; while he contemplates the prospects before us with rapture, he cannot help wishing that all the brave, of whatever condition they may be, who have shared the toils and dangers of effecting this glorious revolu. tion; of rescuing millions from the hand of oppression, and of laying the foundatian of a great em. pire, might be impressed with a proper idea of the General orders issued by general Washington, to the dignified part they have been called to act, under army. the smiles of Providence, on the stage of human affars; for happy, thrice happy! shall they be proHead Quarters, Chatham, April 18th, 1783. The commander in chief orders the cessation of nounced hereafter, who have contributed any thing, hostilities between the United States of America who have performed the meanest office in erect and the king of Great Britain, to be publicly pro-ing this stupendous fabric of freedom and empire, claimed to-morrow at twelve o'clock, at the new on the broad basis of independency; who have as. building: and that the proclamation which will be sisted in protecting the rights of human nature, and established an asylum for the poor and oppres communicated herewith, be read to-morrow even. ing at the head of every regiment and corps of thesed of all nations and religions. The glorious task army; after which the chaplains, with the several for which we first flew to arms being accomplishbrigades, will render thanks to the Almighty God ed-the liberties of our country being fully acfor all his mercies, particularly for his over ruling knowledged and firmly secured by the smiles of the wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the heaven on the purity of our cause; and the honest exertions of a feeble people, determined to be free, rage of war to cease among the nations. against a powerful nation disposed to oppress them; Although the proclamation before alluded to, ex- and the character of those who have persevered, tends only to the prohibition of hostilities, and not through every extremity of hardship, suffering and to the annunciation of a general peace, yet it must danger, being immortalized by the illustrious apafford the most rational and sincere satisfaction pellation of the patriot army-nothing now remains to every benevolent mind, as it puts a period to but for the actors of this mighty scene to preserve a a long and doubtful contest, stops the effusion of perfect unvarying consistency of character through human blood, opens the prospect to a more splen- the very last act, to close the drama with applause. did scene, and, like another morning star, promises and to retire from the military theatre with the the approach of brighter day than hath hitherto same approbation, of angels and men, which have illuminated the western hemisphere. On such a crowned all their former virtuous actions. For happy day, which is the harbinger of peace, a day this purpose no disorder or licentiousness must be which completes the eighth year of the war, it tolerated. Every considerate and well disposed soldier must remember it will be absolutely neces-¡ful nights, and whose happiness, being extremely sary to wait with patience until peace shall be de-dear to me, will always constitute no inconsideraclared, or congress shall be enabled to take pro- ble part of my own. per measures for the security of the public stores, &c. As soon as these arrangements shall be made, the general is confident, there will be no delay in discharging, with every mark of distinction and honor, all the men enlisted for the war, who will then have faithfully performed their engagements with the public. The general has already inte. rested himself in their behalf, and he thinks he need no repeat the assurance of his disposition to be useful to them on the present, and every other proper occasion. In the mean time, he is deter mined that no military neglects or excesses shall go unpunished, while he retains the command of the army. "Impressed with the liveliest sensibility on this pleasing occasion, I will claim the indulgence of dilating the more copiously on the subject of our mutual felicitation. When we consider the magnitude of the prize we contended for, the doubtful nature of the contest, and the favorable manner in which it has terminated, we shall find the greatest possible reason for gratitude and rejoicing. This is a theme that will afford infinite delight to every benevolent and liberal mind, whether the event in contemplation be considered as a source of present enjoyment, or the parent of future happiness; and we shall have equal occasion to felicitate our. selves on the lot which Providence has assigned The adjutant-general will have such working us, whether we view it in a natural, a political, or parties detached, to assist in making the prepara-moral point of light. tions for a general rejoicing, as the chief engineer of the army shall call for; and the quarter-master "The citizens of America, placed in the most engeneral will, without delay, procure such a number viable condition, as the sole lords and proprietors of discharges to be printed as will be sufficient for of a vast tract of continent, comprehending all the all the men enlisted for the war-he will please to various soils and climates of the world, and aboundapply to head quarters for the form. An extra raing with all the necessaries and conveniences of tion of liquor to be issued to every man to-morrow life, are now, by the late satisfactory pacification, to drink "Perpetual peace and happiness to the acknowledged to be possessed of absolute freedom and independency: they are from this period to be considered as the actors on a most conspicuous United States of America." General Washington's circular letter to the governor theatre, which seems to be peculiarly designed by of each of the states, dated Providence for the display of human greatness and felicity. Here they are not only surrounded with every thing that can contribute to the completion of private and domestic enjoyment, but heaven has crowned all its other blessings, by giving a surer Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 18, 1783. "SIR-The object for which I had the honor to hoid an appointment in the service of my country, being accomplished, I am now preparing to resign it into the hand of congress, and return to that do- opportunity for political happiness, than any other mestic retirement, which, it is well known, I left netion bas ever been favored with. Nothing can with the greatest reluctance; a retirement for which illustrate these observations more forcibly than a I have never ceased to sigh through a long and recollection of the happy conjuncture of times and painful absence, in which, (remote from the noise circumstances, under which our republic assumed and trouble of the world,) I meditate to pass the its rank among the nations.-The foundation of our remainder of life, in a state of undisturbed repose; empire was not laid in a gloomy age of ignorance but, before I carry this resolution into effect, I and superstition, but at an epocha when the rights think it a duty incumbent on me to make this my of mankind were better understood and more clearlast official communication, to congratulate you only defined, than at any former period. Researches the glorious events which heaven has been pleased of the human mind after social happiness have to produce in our favor; to offer my sentiments re- been carried to a great extent; the treasures of specting some important subjects, which appear knowledge acquired by the labors of philosophers, to me to be intimately connected with the tran sages, and legislators, through a long succession quility of the United States; to take my leave of of years, are laid open for us, and their collected your excellency as a public character; and to give wisdom may be happily applied in the establishmy final blessing to that country, in whose service ment of our forms of government. The free culI have spent the prime of my life; for whose sake tivation of letters, the unbounded extension of I have consumed so many anxious days and watch-commerce, the progressive refinement of manners, the growing liberality of sentiment, and, above all. sooner or later, convince my countrymen, that I the pure and benign light of revelation, have had could have no sinister views in delivering, with a meliorating influence on mankind, and increased so little reserve, the opinion contained in this adthe blessings of society. At this auspicious pe- dress. riod, the United States came into existence as a "There are four things which, I humbly connation; and if their citizens should not be com-ceive, are essential to the well being, I may even pletely free and happy, the fault will be entirely venture to say, to the existence of the United States, as an independent power. their own. "1st. An indissoluble union of the states under one federal head. "2dly. A sacred regard to public justice. "3dly. The adoption of a proper peace establish. ment. And, "Such is our situation, and such are our pros pects. But notwithstanding the cup of blessing is thus reached out to us; notwithstanding happiness is ours, if we have a disposition to seize the occa. sion, and make it our own, yet it appears to me there is an option still left to the United States of America, whether they will be respectable and prosperous, or contemptible and miserable as a "4thly. The prevalence of that pacific and friendnation. This is the time of their political probaly disposition among the people of the United tion: this is the moment when the eyes of the whole States, which will induce them to forget their local world are turned upon them: this is the time to prejudices and policies; to make those mutual conestablish or ruin their national character forever: cessions which are requisite to the general prospethis is the favorable moment to give such a tone to rity; and, in some instances, to sacrifice their inthe federal government, as will enable it to answer dividual advantages to the interest of the com. the ends of its institution; or, this may be the ill. munity. fated moment for relaxing the powers of the union, annihilating the cement of the confederation, and exposing us to become the sport of European politics, which may play one state against another, to prevent their growing importance, and to serve their own interested purposes. For, according to the system of policy the states shall adopt at this moment, they will stand or fail; and, by their confirmation or lapse, it is yet to be decided, whether the revolution must ultimately be considered as a blessing or a curse, not to the present age observations, leaving the last to the good sense alone, for with our fate will the destiny of unborn and serious consideration of those immediately millions be involved. "These are the pillars on which the glorious fabric of our independency and national character must be supported. Liberty is the basis-and whoever would dare to sap the foundation, or overturn the structure, under whatever specious pretext he may attempt it, will merit the bitterest execration, and the severest punishment, which can be inflicted by his injured country. "On the three first articles I will make a few concerned. "With this conviction of the importance of the "Under the first head, although it may not be present crisis, silence in me would be a crime; I necessary or proper for me in this place to enter will therefore speak to your excellency the lan into a particular disquisition of the principles of guage of freedom and sincerity, without disguise. the union, and to take up the great question which I am aware, however, those who differ from me in has been frequently agitated, whether it be expepolitical sentiments may, perhaps, remark, I am dient and requisite for the states to delegate a stepping out of the proper line of my duty; and larger proportion of power to congress, or not; yet they may probably ascribe to arrogance or ostenta- it will be a part of my duty, and that of every true tion, what I know is alone the result of the purest patriot, to assert, without reserve, and to insist upintention. But the rectitude of my own heart, on the following positions:-Thay, unless the states which disdains such unworthy motives; the part I will suffer congress to exercise those prerogatives have hitherto acted in life; the determination they are undoubtedly invested with by the conhave formed of not taking any share in public bu. stitution, every thing must very rapidly tend to siness hereafter, the ardent desire I feel, and shall anarchy and confusion: That it is indispensable continue to manifest, of quietly enjoying in private to the happiness of the individual states, that there life, after all the toils of war, the benefits of a wise should be lodged, somewhere, a supreme power and liberal government, will, I flatter myself, to regulate and govern the general concerns of the ensue: confederated republic, without which the union tem referred to, being the result of the collected nations. The treaties of the European powers with the United States of America, will have no "In this state of absolute freedom and perfect security, who will grudge to yield a very little of his property to support the common interests of be left nearly in a state of nature; or we may find, society, and ensure the protection of government? by our own unhappy experience, that there is a Who does not remember the frequent declaranatural and necessary progression from the ex- tions at the commencement of the war-that we treme of anarchy to the extreme of tyranny; and should be completely satisfied if, at the expense that arbitrary power is most easily established on of one half, we could defend the remainder of our the ruins of liberty, abused to licentiousness. possessions? Where is the man to be found, who "As to the second article, which respects the wishes to remain in debt, for the defence of his performance of public justice, congress have, in own person and property, to the exertions, the their late address to the United States, almost bravery, and the blood of others, without making exhausted the subject; they have explained their one generous effort to pay the debt of honor and ideas so fully, and have enforced the obligations of gratitude? In what part of the continent shall the states are under to render complete justice to we find any man, or body of men, who would not all the public creditors, with so much dignity and blush to stand up and propose measures purposely energy, that, in my opinion, no real friend to the calculated to rob the soldier of his stipend, and honor and independency of America can hesitate the public creditor of his due? And were it a single moment respecting the propriety of com- possible that such a flagrant instance of injustice plying with the just and honorable measures pro- could ever happen, would it not excite the gene. posed. If their arguments do not produce con- ral indignation, and tend to bring down upon viction, I know of nothing that will have greater the authors of such measures the aggravated influence, especially when we reflect that the sys- vengeance of Heaven? If, after all, a spirit of disunion, or a temper of obstinacy and perverse ness should manifest itself in any of the states; if such an ungracious disposition should attempt to frustrate all the happy effects that might be expected to flow from the union; if there should be a refusal to comply with requisitions for funds to discharge the annual interest of the public debts; and if that refusal should revive all those jealousies, : and produce all those evils, which are now happily removed, congress, who have in all their transac tions shown a great degree of magnanimity and justice, will stand justified in the sight of God and man! and that state alone, which puts itself in opposition to the aggregate wisdom of the continent, and follows such mistaker, and pernicious councils, will be responsible for all the consequences. and soldiers, it is sufficient that the uniform ex"With regard to the distinction between officers perience of every nation of the world, combined with our own, proves the utility and propriety of the discrimination. Rewards, in proportion to the aid the public draws from them, are unquestionably due to all its servants. In some lines, the soldiers tion for their services, by the large bounties which have, perhaps, generally, had as ample conpensahave been paid them, as their officers will receive in the proposed commutation; in others, if, besides "For my own part, conscious of having acted, the donation of land, the payment of arrearages of while a servant of the public, in the manner I con- clothing and wages, (in which articles all the ceived best suited to promote the real interests component parts of the army must be put upon of my country; having, in consequence of my fixed the same footing,) we take into the estimate the belief, in some measure pledged myself to the bounties many of the soldiers have received, and army, that their country would finally do them the gratuity of one year's full pay, which is procomplete and ample justice, and not wishing to mised to all, possibly their situation, (every circonceal any instance of my official conduct from cumstance being duly considered,) will not be the eyes of the world, I have thought proper to deemed less eligible than that of the officers.transmit to your excellency the enclosed collec- Should a farther reward, however, be judged equit. tion of papers, relative to the half pay and com- able, I will venture to assert, no man will enjoy mutation granted by congress, to the officers of greater satisfaction than myself, in an exemption the army. From these communications my decided from taxes for a limited time, (which has been sentiment will be clearly comprehended, together petitioned for in some instances,) or any other with the conclusive reasons which induced me, at adequate immunity or compensation granted to an early period, to recommend the adoption of this the brave defenders of their country's cause. But measure in the most earnest and serious manner. neither the adoption or rejection of this proposiAs the proceedings of congress, the army, and tion will, in any manner, affect, much less militate myself, are open to all, and contain, in my opinion, against, the act of congress, by which they have sufficient information to remove the prejudices and offered five years' full pay, in lieu of the half-pay errors which may have been entertained by any, I for life, which had been before promised to the think it unnecessary to say any thing more than officers of the army. just to observe, that the resolutions of congress, now alluded to, are as undoubtedly and absolutely binding upon the United States, as the most solemn acts of confederation or legislation. "As to the idea which, I am informed, has in some instances prevailed, that the half pay and commutation are to be regarded merely in the odious light of a pension, it out to be exploded forever; that provision should be viewed, as it really was, a reasonable compensation offered by congress, at a time when they had nothing else to give to officers of the army, for services then to be performed. It was the only means to prevent a total dereliction of the service. It was a part I "Before I conclude the subject on public justice, cannot omit to mention the obligations this country is under to that meritorious class of veterans, the non-commissioned officers and privates, who have been discharged for inability, in consequence of the resolution of congress, of the 23d of April, 1782, on an annual pension for life. Their peculiar sufferings, their singular merits and claims to that provision, need only to be known, to interest the feelings of humanity in their behalf. Nothing but a punctual payment of their annual allowance, can rescue them from the most complicated misery; and nothing could be a more melancholy and distressing sight, than to behold those who have |