The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-27
WAsHiNGTON's REFUSAL OF A
DICTATORSHIP.

As the months went on and the pros.
poets OF peace became more certain, this
social everyday life lat Newburgh) and
these quiet occupations were overshad.
owed by momentous events on which
hung the destiny OF the country. Both
officers and men were getting very rest.
less over the prospects before them, and
indignant at the neglect of Congress to
pay them their wages and provide for
their wants, while their families were
suffering at home. In the uncer.
tainty and dread which surrounded them
the officers instinctively turned to Wash.
ington for safety. A paper embodying
their views was drawn up. and Colonel
Nicola--an old officer held in high es-
teen and confidence by Washington
was selected to present it. Riding up
the headquarters one morning, he asked
to see Washington on important business.
Conducted into his presence, he presented
him with the paper. This document,
after describing the perilous state of
feeling in the army and the dangerous
aspect of affairs, and showing the neces-
sity of settling at once OH form of gov
ernment, now peace was assured, show
ing also that it must be strong one,
took up the several forms Of government
in the world, discussed the good and bad
features OF each, and summed up by de-
claring that Republican Government
was the most unstable and insecure of all,
and constitutional Monarchy. with GER
tain notifications, like that of England,
the strongest and the safest; continued,
"such being the fact, it is plain that the
same abilities which have led us through
difficulties unsurmountable by human
power to victory and glory, those quail
ties that have meritedi and obtained the
universal esteem and yeneration of the
army would be most likely to conduct
and direct us in the smoother path of
peace" In short, it declared that he
alone could uphold the nation he had
saved by his valor, and offered to make
him Dictator, and concluded by saying
that, lowing to. tie prejudices Of the
people, it might not At first be prudent
to assume the title of royalty, but if all
other things were adjusted we believe
strong arguments might be produced for
admitting the title of King" When
Washington had read this paper the
light died out of his eyes, and look OF
inexpressible sadness stole over his coun.
tenance. He had borne and suffered SO
much for these seven long years to have
it all end in this? The emotion that
crowd his heart sand shook his strong
soul may be gathered from the sudden
burst OF indignation with which this
proposition to make him king was re.
ceived. "Sir." said he, cit is with a
mixture of surprise and astonishment
have read the sentiments you have sub
mitted to my perusal. Be assured, sir,
no occurrences in the course of the war
have given me more painful sensations
than your information of there being
such ideas .existing in the army as you
have expressed, and which l must view
with adherence and reprebend with Sc.
verify. / am much at loss to conceive
what part of my conduct could have given
encouragement to an address which to
me seems big with the greatest mischief
that can befall my country. If am not
deceived in the knowledge Of myself, you
could not have found person to whom
your schemes are more disagreeable. Let
me conjure you, then, as you have regard
for your country, for yourself, or poster
ity, or respect for me, to Danish these
thoughts from your mind. ."-tHarper's
for October.