to resort from open force to secret artifice; you will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; and you will, by the dignity of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, when speaking of the 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 capable of attaining.'"

WASHINGTON THANKED BY RESOLUTION.

Upon completing his address, Washington retired, and the following resolutions were adopted:

On motion made by General Knox, and seconded by 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 which the human heart is capable."

OFFICERS APPOINTED TO DRAFT SUITABLE RESOLUTIONS.

The address from the army to Congress, the report of the committee from the army, and the resolutions of Congress of the 25th of January being read, on a motion by General Putnam, seconded by General Hand:

"Voted, That a committee be appointed immediately to draw up some resolutions expressive of the business before us, and report in half an hour; that the committee consist of one general, one field-officer, and one captain.

.

That General Knox, Colonel Brooks, and Captain Howard compose the said 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 of the American army engaged in the service of their country from the purest love and attachment to the rights and liberties of human nature; which motives still exist in the highest degree; and that no circumstances of distress or danger shall induce a conduct, that may tend to sully the reputation and glory, which they have acquired at the price of their blood and eight years' faithful services.

"Resolved unanimously, That the army continue to have an unshaken confidence in the justice of Congress and their country; and are fully convinced, that the representatives of America will not disband or disperse the army until their accounts are liqui dated, the balances accurately ascertained, and adequate funds established for payment. And, in this arrangement, the officers expect that the half-pay, or commutation of it, should be efficaciously comprehended.

"Resolved unanimously, That his Excellency the Commanderin-chief be requested to write to his Excellency, the President of Congress, earnestly entreating the more speedy decision of that honorable body upon the subjects of our late address, which was forwarded by a committee of the army, some of whom are waiting upon Congress for the result. In the alternative of peace or war, this event would be highly satisfactory, and would produce imme. diate tranquility in the minds of the army, and prevent any further machinations of designing men to sow discord between the civil and military powers of the United States.

"Resolved unanimously, That the officers of the American army view with abhorrence, and reject with disdain, the infamous. propositions contained in a late anonymous address to the officers of the army, and resent with indignation the secret attempts of some unknown persons to collect the officers together in a manner totally subversive 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 Congress the

late address of the army, for the wisdom and prudence with which they have conducted that business; and that a copy of the proceedings of this day be transmitted by the President to MajorGeneral McDougall, and that he be requested to continue his solicitations at Congress until the objects of his mission are accomplished."

WASHINGTON APPROVES THE ACTION OF THE OFFICERS.

These proceedings were signed by General Gates, as president of the meeting, and on the 18th the approbation of General Washington was expressed in public orders as follows:

"The Commander-in-chief is highly satisfied with the report of the proceedings of the officers assembled on the 15th instant, in obedience to the orders of the 11th. He begs his inability to communicate an adequate idea of the pleasing feelings, which have been excited in his breast by the affectionate sentiments expressed towards him on that occasion, may be considered as an apology for his silence."

The report of the proceedings with all the papers involved was transmitted to Congress and appears in the Proceedings of Congress of date Tuesday April 29, 1783.-STATE HISTORIAN.

[No. 4992.]

Governor Clinton Urges the President of Congress for a Speedy Settlement of the Public Accounts.

Poughkeepsie, April 3d, 1783. Sir, I have it in particular Charge from the Legislature to express to your Excellency their earnest Desire that the Acc'ts of this State & the In[di]viduals thereof with the United States be speedily settled to this End to urge that the Commissioners appointed for this Purpose may be directed to repair to this State as soon as possible.

I have the honor to be &c.

His Excellency The Presid't of Congress.

[No. 4993.]

JOHN MORIN SCOTT'S PROJECT

For the Protection of New York upon the Evacuation of the British Army.

Fish Kill, April 4th, 1783.

Dear Sir, I take the Liberty to hand to you the inclosed paper; the Contents of which were hastily thrown together for your Excellency's Consideration and perusal. One Inducement, among others, which led me to do it, was an Information that Connecticut has opened a wide door for the admission of all our disaffected and their property. A Scheme evidently calculated to build themselves up on our Ruins. As one Instance of this, it is reported that Jo: Smith is either gone or going to that State with £30,000 worth of Dry Goods. If those Things cannot speedily be prevented, God only knows what will become of our poor State, already brought to the Verge or Ruin by the War. I take the Liberty to intreat your Excellency's Sentiments on the inclosed with as much Speed as may be convenient, and am with the greatest respect Your Excellency's most obedient Servant

His Excellency Govr. Clinton.

Jno. Morin Scott

P. S. I send to Mr. Harpur for a Copy of the last Law; pray be so kind as to urge him to send it to me immediately.

PLAN FOR GAINING POSSESSION OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BY THE TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT THEREOF.

Whereas by a Law "Entitled an Act for the temporary Government of the "Southern Parts of this State whenever the Enemy shall abandon or be dis"possessed of the same, and until the Legislature can be convened," passed Octr. 23d 1779, the Council therein mentioned are vested with the following powers to wit; to ordain:

1st For Preserving peace & Good Order in the Southern district.

2dly.

For preventing a Monopoly of any of the necessaries of Life, or of any Goods Wares or Merchandizes in the said district.

3dly. For preventing the Exportation of the same out of the said district. 4thly. For billeting Troops within the district.

5thly for seizing and impressing Fuel, Forage, Vessels, Horses, Teams, Carriages & drivers.

6thly for supplying the Markets within the district with provisions & regulating their prices.

7thly For the holding of Elections in the district for representatives in the Senate and Assembly and Corporation & Town Officers.

8thly For appointing the Mode of such Elections; and making such provisions as may be deemed necessary to prevent persons charged with or suspected of disaffection to the Freedom and Independence of this State from electing or being elected at such Elections.

9thly To confine any person or persons charged with Treason or other Offence.

It is proposed, for making Way for the said temporary Government as soon as possible; that in Virtue of the Law passed for the purpose at the last Meeting of the Legislature a Convention be immediately demanded of the British Commander in Chief at New York on the following points vizt:

First. That proper steps be taken by him without delay to prevent the Exportation or Importation of any Goods Wares or Merchandizes into or out of the Southern district, by any Subject or Subjects of those United States or any other person or persons, without License first had from the Governor of this State, Except such Goods, Wares or Merchandizes, as shall be bona fide laden on Shipboard to be well and truly exported out of this State, & to be discharged at some port or place within the Realm or dominions of Great Britain.

2dly. That (with Above mentioned Exception) no passport be granted to any person now inhabiting the Southern district of this State, to pass out of the said district, without such License as af'd. And that the Commander in Chief of the British Troops, within the said Southern district, use every Means in his power to prevent every such person from passing out of the said Southern district, without such License as afd.

3dly. That no person from any other part of those United States be permitted by the British Commander in Chief, or by any other person in authority those under the Crown of Great Britain to enter the said district without such License as afd. 4thly. As the Season of the Year is such as requires the immediate Return of the Refugees from the said Southern district, to their former places of Abode; and as the Weal and public peace of this State renders it necessary that the Government thereof take immediate, possession of the Capital; and of so much of the said district as is not requisite for the Accommodation of the British Army, until their Embarkation; that (the Season of the Year now permitting) it be stipulated in the Convention that the British Army forthwith encamp on Staten Island; with Liberty, nevertheless to the Commander in Chief, and the principal Officers of the Army, to continue their Residence in the City of New York under the protection of the Govt. of this State, until such Embarkation; that the British Army be allowed to purchase such provisions & other Necessaries for their comfortable Subsistance on their Voyage as they may think proper, Paying Cash for the same; that a short day be fixed in the Convention for the Evacuation of all the said Southern district, (except Staten Island, which shall also be evacuated as soon as will consist with the convenient Embarkation & departure of the British Army), to the End that all the parts of the said district Except as before, may without delay be taken possession of by the Government of this State, and that in the Interim a sufficient Guard be kept up by the British Commander in Chief in the City and its Environs, to preserve peace and good order, and to effectuate the Convention in the best Manner; for which the British Commr. in Chief is to be responsible; that on the said day such possession as afd. shall be delivered up without hesitation or delay, with every Thing in Condition according to the Treaty of Peace; that immediate Orders be given by the British Commr. in Chief for the Evacuation of the interior posts within this State possessed by British Troops, and authentically furnished to the Govern