XIV. 178 2. CHAPTER a spirit still more to be dreaded was secretly at work. In reflecting on the limited powers of Congress, and on the backwardness of the States to comply with the most essential requisitions, even in support of their own interests, many of the officers were led to look for the cause in the form of government, and to distrust the stability of republican institutions. So far were they carried by their fears and speculations, that they meditated the establishment of a new and more energetic system. A colonel in the army, of a highly respectable character, and somewhat advanced in life, was made the organ for communicating their sentiments to the Commander-in-chief. letter elaborately and skilfully written, after describing the gloomy state of affairs, the financial difficulties, and the innumerable embarrassments in which the country had been involved during the war, on account of its defective political organization, the writer adds; Suggestion that a mon be establish ed in the United States. "This must have shown to all, and to military men in archy should particular, the weakness of republics, and the exertions the army have been able to make by being under a proper head. Therefore I little doubt, that, when the benefits of a mixed government are pointed out, and duly considered, such will be readily adopted. In this case it will, I believe, be uncontroverted, that the same abilities, which have led us through difficulties, apparently insurmountable by human power, to victory and glory, those qualities, that have merited and obtained the universal esteem and veneration of an army, would be most likely to conduct and direct us in the smoother paths of peace. Some people have so connected the ideas of tyranny and monarchy, as to find it very difficult to separate them. It may therefore be requisite to give the head of such a constitution, as I propose, some title apparently more moderate; but, if all other things were once adjusted, I believe strong arguments might be produced for admitting the title of KING, which I conceive would be attended with some material advantages." To this communication, as unexpected as it was ex- CHAPTER traordinary in its contents, Washington replied as fol lows. XIV. 1782. "Newburg, 22 May, 1782. "SIR, ton's reply. "With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment, I Washinghave read with attention the sentiments you have submitted to my perusal. Be assured, Sir, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensations, than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army, as you have expressed, and I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity. For the present, the communication of them will rest in my own bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure necessary. "I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address, which to me seems big with the greatest mischiefs, that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. At the same time, in justice to my own feelings, I must add, that no man possesses a more sincere wish to see ample justice done to the army than I do; and, as far as my powers and influence, in a constitutional way, extend, they shall be employed to the utmost of my abilities to effect it, should there be any occasion. Let me conjure you, then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never communicate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the like nature. I am, Sir, &c. "GEORGE WASHINGTON." Such was the language of Washington, when, at the head of his army and at the height of his power and popularity, it was proposed to him to become a king. After this indignant reply and stern rebuke, it is not CHAPTER probable that any further advances were made to him on the subject. XIV. 1782. Sir Guy Carleton arrives in New York. Sir Guy Carleton arrived at New York early in May, and superseded Sir Henry Clinton as commander of the British armies in America. His first letter to Washington was pacific in its tone, and showed, that at least a temporary change had taken place in the sentiments of Parliament respecting the principles on which the war had been conducted, and the policy of continuing it. Nothing of a positive nature was communicated, however, till the beginning of August, when Sir Guy Carleton again Negotiations wrote, that he was authorized to give notice, that negotiations for a general peace had commenced at Paris, and that the independence of the United States would be conceded as a preliminary step. From this time, therefore, preparations for war ceased, and no further acts of hostility were committed by either party. It not being certain, nevertheless, that the negotiations would actually result in peace, no part of the American army was dismissed, but the posture of defence was maintained with the same caution and vigilance as before. for peace. the French troops. Departure of The French troops had continued in Virginia since the capitulation at Yorktown. They marched to Hudson's September. River, and formed a junction with the forces under Washington about the middle of September. The two armies had been encamped on the east side of the river near Verplanck's Point more than a month, when the French marched to Boston, where a fleet was ready to receive them, and sailed before the end of December, having been in the country two years and a half. The Baron de Viomenil commanded the troops when they went on board the fleet at Boston. The Count de Rochambeau, accompanied by the Marquis de Chastellux, sailed some days later from Baltimore.* * On the 15th of July a conference was held between Washington and Count de Rochambeau, respecting the future operations of the campaign. As no instructions had been received from the French court, it was not in the power of Count de Rochambeau to give any XIV. 1782. General Washington had drawn the larger part of his CHAPTER army down the river to Verplanck's Point, more as a mark of courtesy to the allied troops in meeting them there, than for any military object; and, after their departure, he returned to his former encampment at Newburg, where head-quarters continued till the army was disbanded. tion and of the army. The winter being a season of inactivity, and the pros- Dissatisfacpect of peace becoming every day less doubtful, the offi- complaints cers and soldiers had leisure to reflect on their situation, and to look forward to the condition awaiting them at the end of the war. When they compared their long services and sufferings with the sacrifices of those, who had been engaged only in the pursuits of private life, and with the rewards hitherto received, they felt that they had claims, as well on the gratitude and generosity, as on the justice of their country. At the same time, various circumstances conspired to make them apprehensive, that these claims. would neither be adequately met nor duly estimated. Congress had no funds; the States were extremely backward in applying the only remedy by an effectual system of taxation; and the resource of foreign loans was nearly exhausted. It was natural, that this state of things, added to long arrearages of pay, and accounts unsettled and decided information as to the time a French fleet might be expected on the coast from the West Indies, or its strength when arrived. He had reason to suppose, however, that it would come to the northward; and, as the sickly season was approaching in Virginia, he had put his troops under marching orders about the 1st of July, and expected they would reach Baltimore before the end of the month. It was agreed, therefore, that the French army should remain a few days at Baltimore, till further instructions or intelligence should be received, and that, unless special reasons might appear to the contrary, the army should continue its march northwardly, and join the American forces on the Hudson. This plan was thought advisable, moreover, to prevent Sir Guy Carleton from sending detachments from New York to Jamaica, where they might be turned against the French in the West Indies. An elaborate memoir, pointing out various plans of a campaign, was presented by General Washington to Count de Rochambeau, who forwarded it to the French court. CHAPTER without any security for a future liquidation of them, should cause much excitement and concern. XIV. 1782. discontents in the army. "To judge rightly of the motives, which produced this Causes of the uneasy temper in the army, it will be necessary to recollect that the resolution of October, 1780, granting halfpay for life to the officers, stood on the mere faith of a government possessing no funds, which would enable it to perform its engagements. From requisitions alone, to be made on sovereign states, were the supplies to be drawn, which should satisfy these meritorious public creditors; and the ill success attending these requisitions, while the dangers of war were still impending, furnished melancholy presages of their unproductiveness in time of peace. In addition to this reflection, of itself sufficient to disturb the tranquillity at first occasioned by this resolution, there were other considerations of decisive influence. "The dispositions manifested by Congress were so unfriendly to the half-pay establishment, as to extinguish the hope, that any funds they might acquire would be applied to that object. Since the passage of the resolution, the articles of confederation, which required the concurrence of nine States to any act appropriating public money, had been adopted; and nine States had never been in favor of the measure. Should the requisitions of Congress therefore be respected, or should permanent funds be granted by the States, the prevailing sentiment of the nation was too hostile to the compensation, which had been stipulated, to leave a probability that it would be substantially made. This was not merely the sentiment of the individuals then administering the government, which might change with a change of men. It was known to be the sense of the States they represented; and consequently the hope could not be indulged, that, on this subject, a future Congress would be more just, or would think more liberally. As, therefore, the establishment of that independence, for which they had fought and suffered, appeared to become more certain, as the end of their toils approached, the officers became more |