CHAPTER XXXI.

DISCONTENTS OF THE ARMY AT NEWBURG-MEMORIAL OF THE OFFICERS TO CONGRESS-ANONYMOUS PAPERS CIRCULATED IN THE CAMPMEETING OF OFFICERS CALLED-ADDRESS OF WASHINGTON--RESOLUTIONS IN CONSEQUENCE-LETTERS OF WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT -HIS OPINION OF THE ANONYMOUS ADDRESSES AND THEIR AUTHOR.

THE anxious fears of Washington in regard to what might take place on the approaching reduction of the army, were in some degree realized. After the meeting with the French army at Verplanck's Point, he had drawn up his forces to his former encampment at Newburg, where he established his head-quarters for the winter. In the leisure and idleness of a winter camp the discontents of the army had time to ferment. The arrearages of pay became a topic of constant and angry comment, as well as the question, whether the resolution of Congress, granting half pay to officers who should serve to the end of the war, would be carried into effect. Whence were the funds to arise for such half pay? The national treasury was empty; the States were slow to tax themselves; the resource of foreign loans was nearly exhausted. The articles of confederation required the concurrence of nine

From the Origina! (cut with Scissors) by Miss De Hart, Elizabethtown, N. J., 1783. Presented by Mrs. Washington to Mrs. Duer, Daughter of Lord Stirling.