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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: History
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

75: TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS - George Washington, George Washington: A Collection [1988]

Edition used:

George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988).

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


75

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

Head Quarters, March 12, 1783

Sir:

It is with inexpressible concern, I make the followg Report to your Excellency.

A general meeting of army officersTwo Days ago, anonymous papers were circulated in the Army, requesting a general meeting of the Officers on the next day. A Copy of one of these papers is inclosed, No. 1. About the same Time, another anonymous paper purporting to be an Address to the Officers of the Army, was handed about in a clandestine manner: a Copy of this is mark’d No 2. To prevent any precipitate and dangerous Resolutions from being taken at this perilous moment, while the passions were all inflamed; as soon as these things came to my knowledge, the next Morng. I issued the inclosed Order No. 3.* And in this situation the Matter now rests.

As all opinion must be suspended until after the meeting on Saturday, I have nothing further to add, except a Wish, that the measures I have taken to dissipate a Storm, which had gathered so suddenly and unexpectedly, may be acceptable to Congress: and to assure them, that in every vicisitude of Circumstances, still actuated with the greatest zeal in their Service, I shall continue my utmost Exertions to promote the wellfare of my Country under the most lively Expectation, that Congress have the best Intentions of doing ample Justice to the Army, as soon as Circumstances will possibly admit. With the highest Respect etc.

PS: Since writing the foregoing another anonymous paper is put in Circulation, Copy of which is inclosed, No. 4.

[*]Learning of an intended meeting by officers seeking to redress their grievances against Congress, Washington moved to avert the possibly evil consequences which could ensue. On March 11, 1783, “his General Orders” for the day (routine throughout the war) announced his awareness of the meeting (the Order No. 3 mentioned in the letter): “The Commander in Chief having heard that a general meeting of the officers of the Army was proposed . . . in an anonimous paper . . . conceives . . . his duty as well as the reputation and true interests of the Army require his disapprobation of such disorderly proceedings, at the same time he requests the General and Field officers . . . will assemble at 12 o’clock on Saturday next. . . . After mature deliberation they will devise what further measures ought to be adopted. . . .” Washington expressly disapproved of “such disorderly proceedings” and called the officers to assemble four days later to consider how best to pursue the just concerns of the army. He directed the “senior officer in Rank present” to report to him the result of the meeting, thereby implying an intention not to attend himself. When the time for the meeting arrived, however, Washington entered and delivered a dramatic appeal. The meeting was the occasion for the “Newburgh Address,” reprinted below (number 77).