most happy manner, your labours, and the efforts of the United States; you will sincerely participate the compleat satisfaction that this event gives me, and I take the greatest possible share in the pleasure it will afford you. I have not yet received this news officially, but it is not the less certain, and I pray you to permit me to offer the officers of your Army, and all the American troops my congratulations and the tribute of respect due to their virtue and Courage.

Also the subsequent extract of a Letter of the same date from the Secretary of Foreign affairs, is ordered to be communicated. Dear Sir: You will by this Express receive the agreable intelligence of peace, upon which I most sincerely congratulate you and the Army.

In this state of affairs the Commander in chief is pleased to direct that all military Arrangements shall continue the same as at present untill further Orders, that no relaxation in the Decipline or police of the Army shall be suffered, and that the greatest attention shall be paid to the good order and appearance of the troops.

For the greater convenience of the officers of this Army, the Packet boat for Westpoint will leave Newburgh at half after nine and proceed to New Windsor, which place She will leave at ten o'clock every day.

To CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE

Head Quarters, March 29, 1783. Sir: The News of a general Peace," which your Excellency has been so good as to enounce to me, has filled my Mind with inexpressible satisfaction; and permit me to add, that the Joy I feel on this great Event, is doubly enhanced by the very obliging Manner in which you have been pleased to express your Congratulations to me and to the Army, on this very happy occasion.

"The term "general peace" does not accurately describe this news, which was the intelligence of the signing of the declarations of the suspension of hostilities Jan. 20, 1783.

1783]

FRENCH AID

265

The part your Excellency has acted in the Cause of America, and the great and benevolent share you have taken, in the Establishment of her Independence, is deeply impressed in my Mind; and will not be effaced from my Remembrance, or that of the Citizens of America, but with the latest Hand of Time. You will accept Sir! my warmest Acknowledgments and Congratulations, with Assurances, that I shall always participate, with the sincerest pleasure, in every Event, which contributes to your happiness and Satisfaction.

The Articles of general Treaty, do not appear so favorable to France, in point of Territorial acquisition, as they do to the other powers: But, the magnanimous and disinterested Scale of Conduct which that great Nation has exhibited to the World, during this War, and at the Conclusion of Peace, will insure to the King and Nation, that Reputation which will be of more Consequence to them than every other Consideration.

Mrs. Washington begs your Excellency, to accept her sincerest Thanks for the Joy you have communicated to her, and to accept a Return of her Congratulations on this most happy of all Events. With the highest Sentiments of Respect etc."

*To ARTHUR LEE

Newburgh, March 29, 1783.

Dear Sir: I have been honoured with your favor of the 13th. and thank you for the information; your Corrispondent at Paris had good ground for his opinion, and we have abundant reason to be pleased at the event, which he predicted the near approach of. I heartily congratulate you on the conclusion of the War, and hope the Wisdom of the States will point to that line of policy which will make them a great, a happy People;

16 In the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr. From the original in the Paris Archives, Aff. Etrang., Mems. et Docs., E. U., vol. 6.

to accomplish this, local politics, and unreasonable jealousies should yield to such a constitution as will embrace the whole and make our Union respectable, lasting, without it, I think we have spent our time, spilt our blood, and wasted our treasure to very little purpose.

The Picaroons" in Chesapeake and the Waters of it, have now met their quietus; but previously to the News of Peace, a representation of their conduct had gone into New York, and orders, I believe, were sent for the recall of them.

Mrs. Washington unites with me in Complimts. to you and I have the honor etc.

TO THE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Head Quarters, March 29, 1783.

My dear Sir: Your obliging Letter of the 24 was delivered me the day before Yesterday and accompanied the Account of a General Peace having been concluded in Europe on the 20 of January last. Most sincerely do I accept your Congratulations on this happy Event which has already diffused a General Joy thro' every Class of People and to none more than to the Army. It will now be our own faults if we do not enjoy that happiness which we have flattered ourselves this Event would bring; to see, such measures taken as will ensure this, is all that remains for me to wish; I shall then enjoy in the bosom of my family, a felicity that will amply repay every care.

[In a Letter I received by the Cutter from the Marqs. De la Fayette dated Cadiz Feby. 5th. is this passage.

Independent of my public letter to Mr. Livingston, there is a private one which he will also communicate, amongst the many favors which I have received, I would take it as a most flattering circumstance in my life

"Lee calls them "Refugees" in his letter of March 13, which is in the Washington Papers.

1783]

LAFAYETTE'S DESIRE

267

to be sent to England with the ratification of the American Treaty; you know it is but an honorary Commission, that would require the attendance of a few Weeks, and if any Sedentary Minister is sent, I should have the pleasure of introducing him; this, my dear General is entirely confidential.

From hence, I suppose it is necessary for Congress to ratifie the treaty of Peace entered into by their Commissioners at Paris to give it the form and solemnity which is essential to such a work, and that the Marqs. wishes for the honor of putting the last hand to this business by being the bearer of the Ratification. How far it is consistent with our National honor, how far motives of policy make for or agst. sending a foreigner with it; or how far such a measure might disappoint the expectations of others, I pretend not to determine but if there is no impropriety, or injustice in it, I should hope that Congress would feel a pleasure in gratifying the wishes of a Man who has been such a Zealous labourer in the cause of this Country. Whether the above paragraph was only meant to bring me acquainted with what he had done, or that I might second his views, I know not, therefore, notwithstanding the injunction I have given these Sentiments.]

Your Letters for Governor Clinton were forwarded by Express immediately on the rect. of them. I am &c.78

To SAMUEL ADAMS AND TRISTRAM DALTON

Head Quarters, March 29, 1783. Gentlemen: I have the Honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your joint Letter of the 10th instant.

Happy, inexpressibly happy, in the certain Intelligence of a general Peace, which was concluded on the 20th Janry. I feel

78 The draft is in the writing of Benjamin Walker. The portion in brackets is in the writing of Washington.

an additional pleasure in reflecting that this glorious Event will prove a sure means to dispel the Fears expressed by your Commonwealth for their North Eastern Boundary. that Territory being by the Treaty secured to the United States, in its full Extent.

[I have to thank you for doing me the justice to believe that my attention to all parts of the United States is extended in proportion to the magnitude of the object and that no partial considerations have any influence on my conduct.]

You will permit me Gentlemen, on this occasion, to express my warmest Congratulations to you; to the Senate and Representatives of your Commonwealth, and thro' them, to all its good Citizens; whose prompt Exertions in the general Cause, have contributed largely towards the Attainment of that great Prize, for which the United States have so long and successfully Contended. I am &c.7°

79

GENERAL ORDERS

Head Quarters, Newburgh, Saturday, March 29, 1783. Parole America. Countersigns Triumphant, Happy.

For the day tomorrow tom

[Lt. Col. Brooks.

B. Q. M. 2d. Massa. Brigade. The Hampshire Battalion gives the Guards.

The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to lay before the Army an Extract of a Letter he has received (since the publication of the orders of yesterday) from his Excellency the president of Congress.

Philadelphia, March 23, 1783, 9 o'clock p. m. Sir: Your Excellency will give me the utmost credit, when I assure you, that it is with the most unfeigned joy that I congratulate your Excellency

"The draft is in the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr. The part in brackets is in the writing of Washington.