CHAP.XXVIH These only wished to return to their native foil, and enjoy a quiet refidence in the land which gave them birth. Perfons of this de

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scription were to be found in every ftate in the union, after they were permitted by treaty to return. Thefe were objects of commiferation rather than blame. They had loft their property, their friends, and their felicity, from a miftaken apprehenfion of the power of the hoftile arm that had been ftretched out for the invafion of America, before their emigration.

Whatever teftimony truth may require from an hiftorian, when investigating the motives. of action in public bodies, or fcrutinizing individual character, the pronenefs of man to err, fhould always admonish him that it is an indifpenfable duty, "to be candid where he can."

It is to be lamented, when political opinion is the only bond of attachment, when merit, however confpicuous, is not acknowledged, but by the party in which it is enlifted, the web of prejudice is then fo thickly interwoven, that no ray of brotherly kindness can penetrate, and that charity which covers a multitude of fins is totally annihilated.

Though the anticipation in the preceding fhort chapter, may not exactly accord with the rules of hiftoric writing, no other apology

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is neceffary, than that the awakened curiofity CHAP.XXVII of the reader, as well as his compaffion, will naturally excite a wish to trace the destiny of a body of men, who had fet their faces against the liberties of mankind and the exertions of their countrymen. This clafs had hazarded their own fortune and liberty, which were staked against the independence of America, and the freedom of future generations.

This curfory review of the fituation of those unhappy emigrants, the treatment which they received from the British government, their deftination and compenfation, in confequence of their attachment to the monarch of England, will doubtlefs be permitted, though not in due order of time, as it was the natural result of a furvey of their character, their condition, their fate at the close of the war, and their fubfequent deportment.

CHAP. XXIX.!

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CHAPTER XXIX.

Conduct of the American Army on the News of PeaceMutiny and Infurrection-Congress furrounded by a Part of the American Army-Mutineers difperfe-Congrefs removes to Princeton.-Order of Cincinnati-Obfervations thereon.

BEFORE we close the curtain on the scenes that have empurpled the plains of America, with the blood of fome of the best of her citizens, or before we congratulate the European world on the opportunity of closing the temple of Janus, for a season, it is proper to retrospect and mark fome of the intermediate transactions of the American troops, from the capture of `lord Cornwallis and his army to the proclamation for peace, and the disbanding the troops of the United States.

We have seen through the narration of events during the war, the armies of the American ftates fuffering hunger and cold, nakedness, fatigue, and danger, with unparalleled patience and valor. A due fenfe of the importance of the conteft in which they were engaged, and the certain ruin and difgrace in which themfelves and their children would be involved on the defeat of their object, was a strong stimulus

to patient fuffering. An attachment to their commanding officers, a confidence in the faith of congrefs, and the fober principles of independence, equity, and equality, in which the moft of them had been nurtured, all united to quiet any temporary murmurs that might arise from prefent feelings, and to command the fidelity of foldiers contending for perfonal freedom, and the liberties of their country.

The deranged ftate of the American finances from a depreciating currency, the difficulty of obtaining loans of monies, and various other caufes, had fufficiently impreffed them with the danger that threatened the great object, the independence of the United States of America. Thefe circumftances had led the army to fubmit to a delay of payment of their equitable dues, notwithstanding their personal fufferings, and to wait the effects of more efficient ftipulations for adequate rewards in fome future day.

But on the certain intelligence that peace was at hand, that it had been propofed to difband the army by furloughs, and that there was no appearance of a speedy liquidation of the public debts, many of both officers and foldiers grew · loud in their complaints, and bold in their demands. They required an immediate payment of all arrearages; and infifted on the security of the commutation engaged by congrefs fome time before, on the recommendation of general

CHAP. XXIX.

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CHAP. XXIX.

1788.

Washington: he had requested, that the officers of the army might be affured of receiving seven years' whole pay, instead of half pay for life, which had been ftipulated before: this, after reducing the term to five years, congrefs had engaged.

They alfo demanded a settlement for rations, clothing, and proper confideration for the delay of payment of just debts, which had long been due, and an obligation from congress for compenfation, or immediate payment. They chose general M'Dougal, colonel Brooks, and colonel Ogden, a committee from the army to wait on congrefs, to reprefent the general uneafinefs, and to lay the complaints of the army before them, and to enforce the requests of the officers, most of whom were supposed to have been concerned in the business. Anonymous addreffes were scattered among the troops; poifonous fuggeftions whispered, and the most inflammatory refolutions drawn up, and diffeminated through the army: these were written with ingenuity and fpirit, but the authors were not difcovered.

Reports were every where circulated, that the military department would do itself justice; that the army would not difband until congrefs had acceded to all their demands; and that they would keep their arms in their hands, until they had compelled the delinquent states to