The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-09

may DO termsd-which the government has oeen COM
peeled 70 experience arriving at its present stage
prosperity Such is the object Of the following article
NE first
THE ARMY PLOT.
,es conspiracy that occurred in the year 1883.
a. Independence, which for seven long years had
ssed 20 earth with mcrcieea tread the energy and in
as,rv Of the American people, had Terminated, peace
s about being declared and the three cities occupied
Nv sh troops eevacuatedSavannah in July, New
yors in November ana Charleston in Decenser Of the
.u year Although the struggle had thus been brought
TO triumphant by the Unked States yet the cour
TRY was impoverished 70 the last degree The govern
nent had incurred debt of forty mMcns OF doiisTs,
besides twenty millions incurred by the Individual ststes
Taxation could yield tiths Of the amount demanded
Through it, and in l7s2 of eight millions OF dollars called
Sor by the government only four hundred ana twenty
thousand dollars were obtained Much OF the
TERRITORY had sse1 laid waste, commerce was nearly
sanShlated, and the circulating medium had become
- utterly WORTHLESS tnst by decree Of Congress, It's
emotions were terminated Added TO this, army OF
ten Thousand men large creditors to Congress- their
nv being greatly They had been promised
vrcnpt Liquidation at the close Of the war but Grip
Died was governent in its Peouniary affairs that JUS
tice 70 the brave soldiers in this particular out Of
the question Many feared open nsurrecon and per-
haps civil war, when orders should be given for dis
banding the army for starving men, with arms In their
hands, were quite likely to help themselves. Events
which Immediately preceded the act OF disbanding
threatened 70 realize these fears
N October 1850, Congress had passed act granting
half pay life after the close Of the but nine States
had omitted rasy this grant, and it was in danger OF
becoming dead letter. The officers many Of whom had
exhausted their private fortunes in the service OF the
country, petitioned that the half pay for life should
be changed to full pay for FIVE years, and that
the arrearages should be paid. This reasonable
request was not Immediately complied with by
Congress, and indications were apparent in the
camp at Newburg Of the approaching evil.
There were among the officers who ascribed the
eciency Of the government TO it's republican FORM In
sse midst OF these gloomy forebodngs Washington
seiyed letter from Lewis Ncola old and highly re-
spcctable colonel the Pennsylvania line but foreigner
By birth proposing the establishment OF an independent
monarchy, and ntimating the desire OF the army to
make the Commander Chief King. How many officers
were concerned in this intrigue 10 not KNOWN but it
serves that the then popular dread OF stand
ing army was not without foundation. To this
letter Washington made quick reply sterny rsbukng the
writer He declared that event during the war had
given him 80 much pain that he was at loss TO con-
ceye what part OF his conduct had given encouragement
% such address, avowed his earnest desire to have
justice the army, and his firm adherence to repub
kcan principles and concluded-"Let me conjure you,
then you have any regard for your country concern
for yourself postery, respect for to Danish
cate, as from yourself or any one else, sentiment
Of the like nature How pure and lofty WAS
the patriotism Of that chief, Who at the head Of de-
vsted army and at the pinnacle Of general popularity
could thus repel profcred crown. and 80 Indignantly
Sebuke the man who held 1t up to view.
Ms neglect Of Congress to provide for their wants pro-
duced violent ferment among the officers, and through
them the whole army became excited 70 oegree tnas
This ferment notice for meeting OF the gene
raj and field officers and commissioned officer from each
I'D IN, I'M ot
pauied with very theoretically written letter address
snpainng Of their great hardshps and asserting that
Ieir country instead Of relieving them trampled upon
thsr rehs dsdaned their cries and nsuited their dis
1resses"
h usual yronptncss and wisdom called general meet
ing Of oil the officers in place OF the irregular one He
made short speech in which he appealed 70 the patriot
rely on the justice Of Congress-, and stgmatizng the
anonymous addresses as probably the WORK o. some
and the country lie then retired aud left the
meeting to deliberations. No arose to coun
A committee appointed for that purpose, OF which
EnoH one Of washngton's rmest adherents, chair
ran, reported ssres OF resolutions expressing sun
shaken confidence in the urtce OF Congress-" and dab
hOreDce and dsdan" Of the infamous proo sal OF the late
Anonymous addresses The indictments were totally
abooncerted, and these resolutions were unanimously
washington wrote Immediately to Congress with great
urgency and feeling upon the subject: and ths. boiy
presently agreed TO comnuse the nslr pay Tor me INTO
.ucd for the bear interest at six per cent
1he measure, hardly more popular than the half pay
Mself loudly condemned BY the Legislature Of Mas
ThercPpreyaied indeed, throughout New England,
strong feeling against the whole scheme OF extra pay
Meanwhile the preliminary treaty arrived in Amer "a
- the army could not be safely dsbanded 30 long m the
nvhkh continued ohold NewYork, Congress pronounced
the engagements OF the enlisted for the war 70
BE binding till the treaty Of was definitely ratified
orders, however, issued for granting furoughs or
discharges at the discretion Of the Commandcrn Chief
end the lines Of Maryland and Pennsy lvania
dered to march to their respective States Three months
pay furnished TO the furloughed soldiers and
they keep their and accoutrements
sutra allowance. The amount, however, not forth
cenhg owing the continued depression in the finances
the country and at these preparations ios dsoaadng
symptoms Of uneasness again made their appearance
snsng the officers in the camp at Newburg Some delay
month"; pay led to a humliatng insult 10 Congress.
Hedy OF Pennsylvania sodiery-some three hun
department, had already given signs OF insub-
ordination by sending an nsoent letter to Con.
e soos Sp their line Of msrc o
and arriving there beseged for three hours the doors Of
ths State House. in which Congress in session. send
vsrd 70 Washington OF the revolt and disguised at the
conduct Of the Pennsy Council in not calling out
Ne militia Of the state e .Spprsss T. adjourned a.n 70
neen hundred men TO Philadelphia, and the revolt vas
Terminated at once several Of the munsers being tried
ever, were presently pardoned, and, the government
settling their arrearages further diculty expert
suced Thus ended the nrs conspiracy agains the au
tbority Of the land.
sHAYs REBELLION-l7s6-7.
mis- second outbreak occurred in Massachusetts In
1887 The General Court had voted customs and gse
duaes for producing sucient 10 meet the in
sessst the saw debt but Il was also necessary 70
,sss the instamcnts OF the principal and TO make
response 70 the repeated acquisitions Of Congress The
ssnua State amounted 10 nearly million Of dollars,
vortl farm had habi n