feeling:  “While I premise that no one I have seen or heard of appears opposed to the principle of reducing the army as circumstances may require, yet I cannot help fearing the result of the measure in contemplation, under present circumstances, when I see such a number of men, goaded by a thousand stings of reflection on the past and of anticipation on the future, about to be turned into the world, soured by penury and what they call the ingratitude of the public, involved in debts, without one farthing of money to carry them home after having spent the flower of their days, and many of them their patrimonies, in establishing the freedom and independence of their country, and suffered everything that human nature is capable of enduring on this side of death....  You may rely upon it, the patriotism and long-suffering of this army are almost exhausted, and that there never was so great a spirit of discontent as at this instant.  While in the field I think it may be kept from breaking into acts of outrage; but when we retire into winter-quarters, unless the storm is previously dissipated, I cannot be at ease respecting the consequences.  It is high time for a peace.”

These were grave words, coming from such a man as Washington, but they passed unheeded.  Congress and the States went blandly along as if everything was all right, and as if the army had no grievances.  But the soldiers thought differently.  “Dissatisfactions rose to a great and alarming height, and combinations among officers to resign at given periods in a body were beginning to take place.”  The outlook was so threatening that Washington, who had intended to go to Mount Vernon, remained in camp, and by management and tact thwarted these combinations and converted these dangerous movements into an address to Congress from the officers, asking for half-pay, arrearages, and some other equally proper concessions.  Still Congress did not stir.  Some indefinite resolutions were passed, but nothing was done as to the commutation of half-pay into a fixed sum, and after such a display of indifference the dissatisfaction increased rapidly, and the army became more and more restless.  In March a call was issued for a meeting of officers, and an anonymous address, written with much skill,—­the work, as afterwards appeared, of Major John Armstrong,—­was published at the same time.  The address was well calculated to inflame the passions of the troops; it advised a resort to force, and was scattered broadcast through the camp.  The army was now in a ferment, and the situation was full of peril.  A weak man would have held his peace; a rash one would have tried to suppress the meeting.  Washington did neither, but quietly took control of the whole movement himself.  In general orders he censured the call and the address as irregular, and then appointed a time and place for the meeting.  Another anonymous address thereupon appeared, quieter in tone, but congratulating the army on the recognition accorded by the commander-in-chief.