Washington addresses mutinous Continental officials from the Newburgh, Ny
Its shell out long within the arrears, brand new officials fear one to the retirement benefits can also be unpaid. For the December 1782, representative officers off for each and every state’s Continental line got delivered a good petition in order to Congress insisting to your instant payment and you can indicating the new replacement off swelling amounts to possess retirement benefits. The new officers, much of whom is at the army’s head office at Newburgh, discover that Congress have rejected the new petition. Washington calls a conference out of associate officers and you may professionals and you can delivers a presentation and reads a plant away from Congress. Referring to this new cups the guy have to don to read through the brand new extract, he says, “Guy, you ought to excuse-me. I’ve grown gray on the solution nowadays select myself increasing blind.” Washington’s gesture defuses the fresh drama. Just after the guy retires regarding the world the officers adopt resolutions affirming the respect so you can Congress. March 18, Arizona produces Congress an account of legal proceeding of earlier days and argues on the behalf of the latest officers’ grievances. George Washington to Congress, February 18, 1783
April 18, 1783
Washington’s General Requests with the officers and you will troops of your Continental Army declare the fresh “Cessation away from Hostilities amongst the United states and King of great Great britain.” He congratulates the brand new Military, detailing that people who’ve performed the newest “meanest office” enjoys participated in an excellent drama “into phase of human activities.” “Nothing today stays however for the stars of great Scene in preserving the best, unvarying, surface away from profile from really last act; to close the latest Drama that have applause; in order to retire throughout the Military Cinema with the exact same approbation away from Angells and you will men that have crowned all their former vertuous Procedures.” George Washington, General Commands, April 18, 1783