George Washington to New Hampshire, 29 December 1777 (Detail, GLC03706) The Era of George Washington: Washington and the Newburgh Conspiracy by Michael Schiazza Stoneham High School, Stoneham, MA Archiving Early America http://earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/newburgh/text.html In the spring of 1783, Washington’s army was camped outside of New York City, then still occupied by the British, as peace talks continued in Paris. Congress was reluctant to disband the army, fearful of Britain’s true intentions, yet Congress was unwilling and unable to pay the enlisted men and their officers, restrained by the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation which denied Congress the power to levy taxes. Many soldiers had not been paid in months. Officers who had had been promised a lifetime pension of half pay now feared that a bankrupt Congress would repudiate that obligation and disband the army without granting their pensions. In November, 1782, the officers submitted to Congress a petition written by Henry Knox listing their grievances and warning of dire consequences if their demands were not met. However, the petition became embroiled in Congressional politics. Those who favored strengthening of the Articles ("nationalists") by granting Congress the power of taxation, encouraged talk of a possible soldiers’ revolt as a handy threat to use against those states-rights' advocates who opposed granting Congress any increase in powers. Nevertheless, Congress failed to act on the soldiers demands. A conspiracy of officers lead by Horatio Gates now began to contemplate more direct action including a military takeover of Congress and the removal of Washington from command. In a timely letter from a Congressman, Washington, however, was warned of the conspiracy, and he subsequently conducted his own quiet investigation. At an illicit meeting of the rebellious officers in Newburg, New York, on March 15, 1783,Washington preempted any action by the conspirators by unexpectedly walking in and asking General Gates, leader of the rebellious cabal, if he could speak to the officers. Washington reassured the men of the respect that the Congress felt towards their service and anticipated future funding of Congress’s obligations. He also appealed to their patriotism and honor. The climatic moment came at the end of the speech when Washington pulled from his pocket his eyeglasses in order to read a letter from a Congressman reassuring the officers of redress. Except for a few intimates, most of the men had never seen Washington wear his eyeglasses. Seeing their surprise, Washington commented: “Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country.” This act of common humanity and his admission of weakness and sacrifice moved the men more than any speech or letter could have. Those devoted to Washington reaffirmed their loyalty and patriotism, and the conspiracy collapsed. Congress did finally grant the officers five years of pay upon separation from the army and enlisted men four months pay. Washington’s refusal to take any action that might have advanced his own ambition is characteristic of the republican virtues demonstrated by many of the founding fathers, disinterestedness, sacrifice and honor, and the beginning of his identification with that legendary Roman Cincinnatus. Indeed, Washington deserves credit for preserving civilian rule in the new nation by this incident as well as later resigning his military commission as commanding general. Excerpts from George Washington’s Address to the officers at Newburg, NY, March 15, 1783 Gentlemen, By an anonymous summons, an attempt has been made to convene you together? how inconsistent with the rules of propriety! -- how unmilitary! -- and how subversive of all order and discipline, let the good sense of the army decide…. Thus much, gentlemen, I have thought it incumbent on me to observe to you, to show upon what principles I opposed the irregular and hasty meeting which was proposed to have been held on Tuesday last: -- and not because I wanted a disposition to give you every opportunity, consistent with your own honor, and the dignity of the army, to make known your grievances.—If my conduct heretofore, has not evinced to you, that I have been a faithful friend to the army, my declaration of it at this time would be equally unavailing & improper.—But as I was among the first who embarked in the cause of our common country—As I have never left your side one moment, but when called from you, on public duty—As I have been the constant companion & witness of your distresses, and not among the last to feel, & acknowledge your merits—As I have ever considered my own military reputation as inseparably connected with that of the army—As my Heart has ever expanded with joy, when I have heard its praises—and my indignation has arisen, when the mouth of detraction has been opened against it— it can scarcely be supposed, at this late stage of the war, that I am indifferent to its interests. But—how are they to be promoted? The way is plain, says the anonymous addresser—If war continues, remove into the unsettled country— there establish yourselves, and leave an ungrateful country to defend itself— But who are they to defend? -- Our wives, our children, our farms, and other property which we leave behind us.—or—in this state of hostile separation, are we to take the two first (the latter cannot be removed) -- to perish in a wilderness, with hunger cold & nakedness? -- If peace takes place, never sheath your sword says he until you have obtained full and ample justice—This dreadful alternative, of either deserting our country in the extremist hour of her distress, or turning our arms against it, (which is the apparent object, unless Congress can be compelled into instant compliance) has something so shocking in it, that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! What can this writer have in view, by recommending such measures? ? Can he be a friend to the army? -- Can he be a friend to this country? -- Rather is he not an insidious foe? -- Some emissary, perhaps, from New York, plotting the ruin of both, by sowing the seeds of discord & separation between the civil & military powers of the continent? -- And what compliment does he pay to our understandings, when he recommends measures in either alternative, impracticable in their nature? … I cannot, in justice to my own belief, & what I have great reason to conceive is the intention of Congress, conclude this address, without giving it as my decided opinion; that that honorable body, entertain exalted sentiments of the services of the army; -- and, from a full conviction of its merits & sufferings, will do it complete justice: -- That their endeavors, to discover & establish funds for this purpose, have been unwearied, and will not cease, till they have succeeded, I have succeeded, I have not a doubt. But, like all other large bodies, where there is a variety of different interests to reconcile, their deliberations are slow. ? Why then should we distrust them? -- and, in consequence of that distrust, adopt measures, which may cast a shade over that glory which, has been so justly acquired; and tarnish the reputation of an army which is celebrated thro’ all Europe, for its fortitude and patriotism? -- and for what is this done? -- to bring the object we seek for nearer? -- No! -- most certainly, in my opinion, it will cast it at a greater distance.— For myself (and I take no merit in giving the assurance, being induced to it from principles of gratitude, veracity & Justice) -- a grateful sense of the confidence you have ever placed in me—a recollection of the cheerful assistance, & prompt obedience I have experienced from you, under every vicissitude of fortune, -- and the sincere I feel for an army I have so long had the honor to command, will oblige me to declare, in this public & solemn manner, that, in the attainment of complete justice for all your toils & dangers, and in the gratification of every wish, so far as may be done consistently with the great duty I owe my country, and those powers we are bound to respect, you may freely command my services to the utmost of my abilities. While I give you these assurances, and pledge my self in the most unequivocal manner, to exert whatever ability I am possessed of, in your favor—let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measures, which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity, & sully the glory you have hitherto maintained—let me request you to rely on the plighted faith of your country, and place a full confidence in the purity of the intentions of Congress; that, previous to your dissolution as an Army they will cause all your accounts to be fairly liquidated, as directed in their resolutions, which were published to you two days ago—and that they will adopt the most effectual measures in their power, to render ample justice to you, for your faithful and meritorious Services.—And let me conjure you, in the name of our common country—as you value your own sacred honor—as you respect the rights of humanity; as you regard the military & national character of America, to express your utmost horror & detestation of the man who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of our country, & who wickedly attempts to open the flood gates of civil discord, & deluge our rising empire in blood. By thus determining -- & thus acting, you will pursue the plain & direct road to the attainment of your wishes.—You will defeat the insidious designs of our enemies, who are compelled to resort from open force to secret artifice.—You will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism & patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; -- And you will, by the dignity of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to mankind, had this day been wanting, the world has never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining. 1. How does Washington establish "common ground" with his officers and maintain their loyalty and support? 2. How does Washington cleverly discredit the plotters? 3. How does Washington defend the actions of Congress? 4. Identify and describe the republican virtues that Washington calls forth from his officers. 5. How does this incident demonstrate Washington's personal and professional integrity? 6. Based on this and other incidents, why do many historians believe that Washington deserves credit for preserving civilian rule in the new nation?