Newburg addresses, the
The Continental army was cantoned in huts near
Newburg, N. Y., in the
winter and
spring of 1783, while negotiations for peace were
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442]
in progress.
Washington's headquarters were in the
Hasbrouck House, in
Newburg.
In the latter part of the winter the discontent in the army on account of the arrears in their pay, which had existed a long time, was more formidable than ever.
In December previous the officers had sent a memorial to the
Congress, by the hands of
General McDougall, the head of a committee, asking for a satisfactory adjustment of all the matters which were causing wide-spread discontent.
Congress was almost powerless to move satisfactorily in the matter.
On March 11, a well-written address was circulated through the
American camp, which, in
effect, advised the army to take matters into their own hands, and to make demonstrations that should arouse the fears of the people and of the
Congress, and thereby obtain justice for themselves.
The address was anonymous, but circumstances created a suspicion that
General Gates and some other officers were the instigators of the scheme.
With this address was privately circulated a notification of a meeting of officers at a large building called “the
Temple.”
Washington's attention was called to the matter on the day the addresses were circulated, and he determined to guide and control the movement.
He referred to it in general orders the next morning; expressed his disapprobation of the whole proceedings as disorderly; and requested the general and field officers, with one officer from every company in the army, to meet at “New building” (the
Temple) on March 15, and requested
General Gates, the
senior officer, to preside.
On the appearance of the order, the writer of the anonymous address issued another, more subdued in tone, in which he tried to give the impression that
Washington approved the scheme, the time of meeting being changed.
The meeting was fully attended, and deep solemnity pervaded the assembly when
Washington stepped upon the platform to read an address which he had prepared for the occasion.
As he put on his spectacles, he said, “You see, gentlemen, that I have not only grown
gray, but
blind, in your service.”
This simple remark, under the circumstances, had a powerful effect upon the assemblage.
His address was compact, patriotic, clear in expression and meaning, mild yet severe in its rebuke, and withal vitally important in its relations to the well-being of the infant republic as well as the army.
When it was concluded,
Washington retired and left the officers to discuss the subject unrestrained by his presence.
Their conference was brief.
They passed resolutions, by unanimous vote, thanking the
commander-in-chief for the wise course he had pursued; expressing their undiminished attachment to their country; their unshaken confidence
Washington's headquarters at
Newburg.
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in the good faith of Congress; and their determination to bear with patience their grievances until, in due time, they should be redressed.
The proceedings were signed by
General Gates, as president of the meeting, and three days afterwards
Washington, in general orders, expressed his entire satisfaction.
The author of the “
Newburg addresses” was
Maj. John Armstrong (q. v.). See
Washington and the Newburg address.
