The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1783-04-15 00:00:00, page 4

(No 5)
Cantonment, ifth March 1783.
Agreeabieco the general orders of the 11th init the offi
cers of the American army being convened, his Excellency
the Commander in Chief was plcafcd to open meeting with
the following address to them on the fubj< & of their being
called together; which, with fame other papers was left for
the conflagration of the allembly, the Hon. Major General
Gates being Prefideat, as the lenior officer prttent.
Gentlemen,
By an anonymous summons, an attempt has been made to
convene you together. How inconfiltent with the rules of
propriety; and how subversive of all order and diciplinc, let
the good sense of the army judge!
In the moment of this summons, another anonymous pro
du&ion was put into circulation, addressed more to the feel
ings and pafaons than to the reason and judgment of the ar
any. The author of the piece is intitled to much credit for the
goodaefs of his pen; and I could wish he had as much credit
tor the reditude of his heart; for, as men fee thtough diffi
culties, and are induced by the reflecting faculties of the
mind, co use different means to obtain the fame end, the au
thor of the piece should have had more charity than to mark
for infpicio% the man who should recommend moderation
and longer forbearance, or in other words, who should not
think as he thinks, and ad as he advises. But he bad ano
ther plan in view, in which candor and liberality of senti
ment, regard to justice and love of country have no part;
and he was right to insinuate the darkest fufpeions to effe&
the blacked deigns, That the address is drawn with great
art; that it is intended to impress the mind with an idea of
premeditated injustice in the sovereign power of the United
States, and rouse all thole refentmehts which mult unavoid
ably flow from such a belief; that the fi^ft mover of this
fchemc, whoever he may be, intended to take advantage of
the passions, while they were warmed with the recolle&ion
of part distresses, without giving time for cool, deliberate
thinking, and that composure of mind which is necessary to
give dignity and liability to measures, is renderedtoo ob
vious, by the mode of conducing the business, to need other
proof than a reference to the proceeding.
Thus much, gentlemen, I have thought it incumbent on
me to obfetve to ,011, to shewupou what principles I oppo
fedthe hafy, irregular meeting which was prepofed to be
held on Tuesday lad, and not because I wanted a disposition
jo give you every opportunity, confident with your own ho
nor, andthe dignity of the army, to make known,our griev
ances. If my Condud heretofore, has not evinced to you,
that I have been a faithful friend to the army, my declara
tion of it at this time would be equally unavailing and im
proper. Bnt as I was amongst the frft who embarked in the
cause of our common country ; as I have never left your fide
one moment, but when called from you on public duty ; as
I have been the constant companion and witness of your
distresses, and not amongst the last to feel and acknowledge
your merits; as I have ever corfidered my own military re
putation as inseparably connected with that of the army;
and my heart has ever expanded with joy, when I heard of its
praises, and my indignation has risen, when the mouth of
dctra&ion has ever opened against it, it can scarcely be sup
posed, at this late stage of the war, that lam indifferent to
its interests. But how are they to be promoted? The way is
plain, fays the anonymous addresser.-— 6 If the war conti
nues, remove into the unsettled country ; there establish
burfelves and leave an ungrateful country to defend itfclf."
--But whom are they to defend? Our wives, our children,
our farms and other property which we have left behind us?
or, in this Rate of hostile separation, are we to take she two
frft ( the latter cannot be removed) to perishin a wilderness
with hunger,cold, and nakedness)" If peace takes place,
never sheath your swords," fays he, “ until you have obtain
ed full and ample justice." This dreadful alternative of
either deferring our country in the extremes hour of her dis
tress, or turning eur arms against it, which is the apparent
obje&, unlcfs Congress can be compelled into instant com
pliance, has something fa shocking in it, that humanity re
volts 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 cmiflary, perhaps, from
New-York, plotting the ruin of both, by sowing the feeds of
difeord and reparation between the civil and military pow~
ersof the continent? And whata compliment does he pay to
our understandings, when be recommends measures, in ei
ther alternative, impracticable in their nature? But here,
gentlemen, I Will drop the curtain, because, gentlemen, it
would be as imprudentin me to aflign my reasons for this
opinion, as it would be ir.fulc^g to your conception to sup
pose you Rood in need of them. A moments reflexion will
convince every dispassionate mind of the physical impuffibi
licy of carrying either project intoexecution. There might,
gentlemen, be an impropriety in my taking notice, in this
address, to you, of an anonymous production ; —big the
manner in which the performance has been introduced to
the army, the cfftd it was intended to have, together with
feme other circumstances, will amply juftify my observa
tions upon the tendency of that writing.
With refpe& to the advice given by the author, to fufpe&
the man, who shall recommend moderation and longer for
bearance, Ifpurn it, as every man regards liberty and re
veres the justice for which we contend, undoubtedly must;
for, if men are to be precluded from offering their senti
ments on a matter which may involvethe molt serious and
important confluences, that can invite the consideration of
mankind, reason is of no use to us. The freedom of speech
ma, be taken away, and dumb and filentwe may be led, like
sheep to the Daughter. I cannot in justice to my own belief,
arid whatl have great reason to believe is the intention of
Congress, conclude this address, without giving it as my de
cided opinion, that, that honorable body, entertain exalted
sentiments of the services of the army, and from full con
viftion of its merits and Offerings, will do it complete jufi
tice ; that their endeavours to difeover and establish funds
have been unwearied, and will not cease till they have suc
ceeded, I have not a doubt.
Nutlike all other large bodies, where there is a variety
of different; interests to reconcile, their deliberations are
floty. Why then should we distrust them ? And in conse
quence of that distrust, adopt measures which would cast a
shadeW<r<hat glory which has been so justly acquired,
and tarnish the reputation °f an army which has been cele-
brated through all Europe for its fortitude and patriotism ?
Ard for what is this done ? To bring the objed we feck for
nearer? No, most certainly in my opinion, it will cast it at
a greater distance. For myfelf, and I take no meric in giv
ing assurance, being introduced to it from principles of
gratitude, veracity and juitice, 2 grateful fente of the con
fidence your have ever placed in me, a recollection of the
chearful assistance and prompt obedience I have cxperi
enced from you, under every vicissitude of fortune, and the
Sincere af@ &ion 1 feel for an arny I have io long had the
honor to command, will oblige me to declare in this pub
lic and solemn manner, that in the attainment of complete
juitice for all your toils and dangers, and in rhe gratifica
tion of every wish, so far as may be done confidently with
the great ducy I owe my country, and those powers I am
bound to refpc&, you may freely command my service to
the utmost of my abilities.
While I give you these assurances and pledge myfelf in
the moftunequivocal manner to exert whatever ability I
am possessed of in your favour, let me intreat you, gentle
men, on your part not to take any measures, which viewed
in the calm light of rc^for, will Itffcn the dignity and ful
ly the glory you have hitherto maintained.— Let me rc
queft yuuto rely on the plighted faith of your country, and
place a full confidence in the purity ofthe intentions of
Congress, that previous to your dissolution, as an army, they
will cause all your accounts to be fairly liquidated, as di
rt&:d in the resolutions which were published to you two
days ago, and that they will adopt the most effectual raea
fures 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 refpe& the sacred rights of hu
manity, and as you regard the military and national cha
racter of America, to express your utmost horror and detef
ttion ofthe man, who wishes, under any fpecjous preten
ces, to overturn the liberties of our country, and who wick
edly attempts to open the flood gates of civil difeord, and
deluge our riling empire with blood.
By thus determining and thus trusting, you will pursue
the plain and dir<& road to the attainment of your wishes;
you will defeat the insidious defers of our enemies, who
are compelled to refoit from open force to secret artifice.
YH will give one more proof of unexampled patriotism
and patient virtue, rising superior to the preffire ofthe most
complicated fuffcrings ; and you will, by the dignity ofyour
conduct, affod occasion for posterity to fay, when speaking
ofthe glorious example you have exhibited to mankind,
—" had this day been wanting, the world had never seen
the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capa
ble of attaining."
(Copy) GEO. WASHINGTON.
Head- Quarters, Newburg, 15th March, 1783.
His excellency having withdrawn, on a motion made by
general Knox, and seconded by brigadier general Putnam.
Resolved, That the unanimous thanks of the officers of
the army be presented to his excellency the commander in
chief, for his excellent address, and the communications he
has been pleased to make to them; and to assure him, that
the officers reciprocate his affectionate expressions, with the
greatest sincerity of wbi.h the human heartis capable.
The address from the army to Congress-.-the report of
the committee from the army,--and the resolutions of
Congress ofthe 25th January, being read,
On a motion by general Putnam, seconded by general
Hand,
Voted, That a committee be appointed to draw up im
mediately some resolutions expressive of the business before
us, and to report in half an hour—that this committee con
lift of one general, one field officer, and one captain-chat
gen. Knox, col. Brooks and capt. Howard compose the
laid committee.
The report of the committee having been brought in, and
fully considered,
Resolved unanimously, That at the commencement of
the present war, the officers ofthe American army engaged
in the service oftheir country from the purest love and at
tachment to the rights and libertiesof human nature, which
motives still exist in the highest degree ; and that no cir
cumstances of distress or danger shall induce a condu& that
may tend to fully the reputation and glory which they hive
acquired, at the price of their blood and eight years faith
ful services.
Resolved unanimously, That the army continue to have
an unshaken confidence in the virtue of Congress and their
country, and are fully convinced that the representatives of
America will not d.fbtrd or disperse the army, until their
accounts aie liquidated, the balances accurately afeertained,
and adequate funds established for payment. And in this
arrangement the officers expea, that the half pay, or a com
mutation of it, should betfficacioufly comprehended.
Resolved unanimoufl,, That his excellency the comman
der in chief be requested to write to bis excellency the pre
sidentof Congress, earnestly intreating the most speedy de
cision of that honorable body, upon the fubjeds of our late
address, which was forwarded by a committee ofthe army,
some of whom are waiting upon Congress for the result.
In the alternative of peace or war the event would be high
ly fatisfafory, and would produce immediate tranquility in
the minds ofthe army, and prevent any farther machina
tions of designing men, to sow discord between the civil
and military power of the United States.
Resolved unanimously, That the < fficers of the American
army view with abhorrence and reje& with djidain, the infa
mous propositions contained in a late anonymous address to
theofficers ofthe army, and resent withindignation the secret
attempts of some unknown person to colleft the officers to
gether, in a manner totally fubveifivc of all discipline and
good order,
Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of the officers of
the army be given to the committee who presented to Con
gress the late address ofthe army, for the wisdom and pru
dtnee with which they have conduced that business ; that
a copy of the proceedings of this day be transmitted by the
president to major-general M'Dougall; and that he be
requested to continue his follicitations at Congress, until the
iobjects of his mission are accomplished.
The meeting was then diflolved.
HORATIO GATES, Maj .Gen, President.
A corre& Edition of
Baron Stuben's Regulations for
the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the
United States, adorned with eight large Coppet
Plates, and handsomely bound, to be Sold by the
Printers hereof.
Ilb§ Those who purchase fix Books ffiall have
a seventh gratis.
MULBERR-f TREE — —
ANY number of Mulberry Trees may be had of Afahel
Cole, in Kensington, or Zachariah Hart, in Worthing
ton, at a very moderate price.
April 8, 1783.
Farmers take Notice !
To be Sold, an excellent FARM, lying in Murrayfield,
about two miles from the meeting house, on the road
to Norwich bridge, containing 100 acres, a dwelling Houle
thirty-eight feet in length and eighteen feet in wedth, with
two rooms, and an excellent Barn, forty feet by thirty,wkh
a fixty-fivc feet Linto, seventy acres of said land under , im
provement, a confile table part of it well fenced with stone
wall, and the rest with good rail fence, is well watered, it
cuts thiity.tons of hay yearly, and pasture anfwcrable, good
tillage land for grain, very excellent for wheat, with a good
young Orchard, that will make twenty barrels of cider in a
year. Whoever inclines to purchase said Farm, may ap
ply to the fubferiber now living on the premife^
JAMES CLARK.
Murrayfield, March 28, 1783.
f - - - - -_— _
A Good FARM, containing one hundred and twenty-fix
acres of Land, well proportioned far mowing, plow
i^g, pasturing and wood land; there may be cut twenty
loads of good hay on said farm yearly, an excellent Orchard
that will make two hundred barrels of cider, two Houles
and Barns, and a Cider-Mill thereon, lying on the road from
Litchfield to Torrington For further particulars, enquire
of SAMUEL STACY and JONAS ANDREWS.
Litchfield, March 28, 1783.
T^e 0 L
A Good FARM, in Sharon, one mile and a half from the
meeting house, containing one hundred and fevent,
acres of Land, well proportioned for plowing and meadow,
and well timbered, together with two dwelling Houses and
a Barn, and a good Orchard thereon—^For further particu
lars, enquire of
TIMOTHY CARRIER.
Sharon, March 12, 1,783.
A Choice Farm of LAND, lying in the cast part of Gran
ville, about one mile and a half froth the meeting house,
containing 103 acres, well proportioned for mowing, plow
ing and pasturing, well watered with two good brooks run
ning through it, about 2$ acres under improvement, cuts
about five tons of hay--- An indifyutable title will be giv
en for terms apply to the fubferiber living in Granville-
JOB STILE S, jun.
Granville, March 31, 1783.
Non ReJident Proprietors
NOTICE is hereby given, to all the Non-Rtfident Pro
prietors who have lands in the town of Harwinton, in
Litchfield county, that their lands will be fold at public ven
due, at the dvellirghoufe of Oliver Phelps,innboidei in said
Harwinton, on the firft Monday of May next, at ten o'clock
in the forenoon, so much as will p.y their several taxes af
ftffed on said lands, together with incident charges and
fees, viz. Jabez Bacon, Elijah and J fiah Eiffel, Jonas
Hicock, David Phelps, Aaron Phelps, Benjamin Phelps, Da
niel Phelps's heirs, Daniel Phelps, Jafiah Wolcott, Jerijah
Phelps, Isaac Phelps, Rufus Clark, Abel Carter, Dodit Be
ment, Joshua Carter's heirs, Rebekah Foot, Gaius Hill,
Jairus Phelps, John Smith, J>feph Spencer, Ezra Sherman,
Nathaniel Barns, Benjamin Barns, Thomas Wey.
ELIZUR BRACE, )
SOLOMON PECK, ) Collegers
DANIEL CATLIN, )of town and
ASHBEL PORTER, ) society taxes.
NATHANIEL BRACE,)
Harwinton, March 31, 1783.
Pay-Table Office, March 1783.
A Number of State Securities given to persons serving
in the Connecticut line of the army, were left by mifr
take in this office, several months ago The owner is de
sired to prove his property and take them away.
" TO BE SOLD, °
A GOOD healthy Negro WENCH, about 35 years of age,
who andciftands all kinds of house work, with a fe
male Child 8 months old, enquire of the Printers.
Hartfurd, April 5, 1783.
K E I C E, '
TO be fold a very likely spry adive Negro GIRL, about
twelve years old, enquire of the Subfe&ber.
JOHN KIRBY-
Middletown, March 25, 1783.
THE Hen. Court of Probate for the diftrid of Hartford,
having allowed fix months to the creditors to the efface
of Jeduthan Smith, to bring in their claims in order for fee
tlrment, the Adminiftracors on said estate hereby give no
tice that they are ready to receive any claimstill the expira
tion of fix months from this date, after which time no ac
counts will be received.
HANNAH SMITH, )
WAIT GOODRICH, ) Admir iftratorj
PHILIP SELEW.)
Glaftenbur,, March 2t, 1783.
FOUND in Eaft-Hartford, in November last, a Note.of
hand in favor of John Cook of Westminster, for aeon,
fiderable sum of money. The owner may have it again b,
proving his property and paying charges, by applying to
STEPHEN HILLS.
April j, 1782.