George Washington

Chapter 5

ICTORY did not bring the end ofWashington's troubles . The British remained in place on American soil for two years more. Thus, it was as difficult as it was prudent to maintain readiness in theface ofgeneral expectations ofthe end ofconflict. Similarly, there was a very real possibility of the soldiers' countrymen simply dismissing them with thanks andforgetting thefact that they had served dutifully through great trials without compensation. Instead ofelation, therefore , Washington's attitude in triumph was to preserve in his men and himselfthe sense ofa "duty to bear present trials withfortitude." This feat proved no less valuable to his country than his skill in the field of battle. Many charges have been made through the years that Washington's military officers plotted to make him king. A favorite villain in this set piece has always been Alexander Hamilton, but no solid evidence against him has ever surfaced. The most definite monarchical proposals that have been established were those ofColonel Lewis Nicola in a letter to Washington ofMay 22, IJ82. Washington's immediate and stern rebuke to Nicola, often remembered since, is reprinted here. Nicola, an Irishman naturalized in America, was generally respected and had been shown a particular courtesy by Washington. He, who was himself Washington's age, was so stung by Washington 's rebuke that he wrote three successive apologies in the days following. Nicola settled into comfortable republican habits thereafter, but agitation continued to wrack an army which had been woefully mistreated by its countrymen. No one exerted himselfmore than Washington to obtain justice for the officers and soldiers. In February and March ofIJ8J, new threats arose which culminated in the famous "Newburgh Addresses" to Congress. The first of these respectfully expressed the army's dismay at the union's inefficacy . The second address, unofficial and anonymous, broached the threat of a refusal to disband without obtaining pay. This latter address led to the famous Newburgh meeting in which the officers, who were supposed to concert their plans to obtain redress, needed to be restrained by Washington. While his letters are replete with sentiments of obtaining justice for the men, the remarks he made in his Newburgh speech, reprinted here, show how well he achieved the end ofrestraining them. It was r(fported that, as Washington commenced reading his address, he Jumbled in his pockets to pull out spectacles he had only recently acquired. In the delay he remarked, "I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in my country's service." Washington carried the meeting. His officers voted him unanimous thanks and rejected "with disdain, the infamous propositions" ofthe anonymous pamphlets. Sir: 68 TO COLONEL LEWIS NICOLA Newburgh, May 22, 1782 With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment I have read with attention the Sentiments you have submitted to my perusal. Be assured Sir, no occurrence in the r:ourse 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 severety. For the present, the communicatn. 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 Astonishment at Nicola's offer to make Washington King Discontent in army Complaints of officers your Mind, and never communicate, as from yourself, or any one else, a sentiment of the like Nature. With esteem I am. 6g TO THE SECRETARY AT WAR Head Q;tarters, October 2, 1782 My dear Sir: Painful as...