turn to their families. A very artful address was circulated through the camp on the Hudson river, for the purpose of inducing them to form some desperate resolutions to force the government to a compliance with their demand

for payment. The address was accompanied by an invitation to all the officers to meet on the next day, and take the subject into consideration. Washington was in camp, and his firmness and judgment did not forsake him on this important occasion. In his general orders he noticed the address, and expressed his belief that the good sense of the officers would prevent their "paying any attention to such an irregular invitation," but invited them to meet on another day, when, he said, they could deliberate on what course they ought to pursue.

Before that day arrived he conversed separately with the officers, and used his influence to lead them to adopt measures which he intended to propose. When they were assem

bled, he addressed them in a calm and affectionate manner; entreating them to disregard the efforts that were made to induce them to act disgracefully, and assuring them of his confidence that Congress would treat them justly.

This address from one whom they loved and had been accustomed to obey,-in whose judgment and affection they had perfect confidence, could not fail to influence the army, and the officers immediately formed resolu

tions which satisfied their anxious commander, and proved the strength of their respect for his advice. It has been said that "6 "perhaps, in no instance, did the United States receive from heaven a more signal deliverance through the hands of Washington, than in the termination of this serious transaction." His conduct gave a new proof of the kindness of his heart, soundness of his judgment, and purity of the love of his country. He wrote to Congress an account of what had occurred; and earnestly entreated that the just demands of the army might be immediately attended to, and that provision might be made for a further compensation than a mere pay which was due to the officers. He said, "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, and owe the miserable remnant of that life to charity, which has hitherto been spent in honour, then shall I have learned what ingratitude is; then shall I have realized a tale which will imbitter every moment of my future life."

Congress received a petition from the officers, and then formed a resolution, that in addition to the pay due to them, they should receive full pay for five years; but they knew it would be some time before the money could be raised. The officers were satisfied with

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the promise, and in the course of the summer a large portion of the troops returned to their homes.

A few new recruits, who were stationed at Lancaster, marched to Philadelphia and placed sentinels at the doors of the State House, where Congress were sitting, and threatened to attack them if their demands for pay were not granted within twenty minutes. They did not perform their threat, but kept Congress prisoners for three hours.

When General Washington heard of this outrage, he sent fifteen hundred men to quell the mutineers, but this had been done without any blood being shed before the troops arrived. He wrote to Congress that he felt much distressed on hearing of the insult which had been offered by these "soldiers of a day;" and contrasted their conduct with that of the soldiers who had "borne the heat and burden of the war; veterans," he said, "who have patiently endured nakedness, hunger and cold; who have suffered and bled without a murmur, and who, with perfect good order have retired to their homes without a settlement of their accounts, or a farthing of money in their pockets. We are as much astonished at the virtues of the latter, as we are struck with horror and detestation at the proceedings of the former." In consequence of the insult, Congress adjourned, to meet at Princeton, in New Jersey, in the close of the month of June, 1783. They

sat there in the Library room of the College, for about three months; and then adjourned to meet at Annapolis, in Maryland.

The seeds of freedom which had been sown in weakness, and guarded with toil through eight years, produced a rich harvest in the blessings of independence and peace, which spread quickly over the United States; and every American heart had cause to say, with humble gratitude, to the Great Ruler of events, "O thou that savest by thy right hand them that put their trust in thee, from those that rise up against them thou hast been our helper."

When General Washington had proclaimed to his army on the 19th of April, the tidings of a universal peace, he said, "on such a happy day, which is the harbinger of peace; a day which completes the eight years of the war, it would be ingratitude not to rejoice, it would be insensibility not to participate in the general felicity;" and he directed that the Chaplains, with their several brigades, should "render thanks to Almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his overruling the wrath of man to his own glory; and causing the rage of war to cease among the nations." When he dismissed the troops from service on the 2d of November, he gave them serious and affectionate advice as to their future conduct; and assured them that he should recommend them to their grateful country, and in his prayers "to the

God of armies." Earnestly desiring that his countrymen might secure a continuance of the favour of heaven, he wrote an address to the governors of the different states, which address he said he wished them to consider as "the legacy of one who had ardently desired on all occasions to be useful to his country; and who, even in the shade of retirement, would not fail to implore the divine benediction upon it." The address contained important and wise counsel, and he concluded it with the assurance, "I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the state over which you preside, in his holy protection, and that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination, and obedience to government, and to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another; for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field; and finally, that he would be most graciously pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion; without an humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation."

In November all the English troops left New York, and General Washington entered it accompanied by Governor Clinton and a