The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

370 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [A]T. 50.
matter, does not belong to me to determine; but policy,
in my opinion, should dictate soothing measures; as it
is an uncontrovertible fact, that no part of the community has undergone equal hardships, and borne them
with the same patience and fortitude, as the army
has done.
Hitherto the officers have stood between the lower
order of the soldiery and the public; and in more instances than one, at the hazard of their lives, have
quelled very dangerous mutinies. But if their discontents should be suffered to rise equally high, I know
not what the consequences may be. The spirit of en-,
thusiasm, which overcame every thing at first, is now
done away. It is idle, therefore, to expect more from
military men, than from those discharging the civil departments of government. If both were to fare alike,
with respect to the emoluments of office, I would answer for it, that the military character should not be the
first to complain. But it is an invidious distinction, and
one that will not stand the test of reason or policy, that
one set should receive all, and the other no part (or
that which is next to it), of their pay. In a word, the
experiment is dangerous; and, if it succeeded, would
only prove, that the one class are actuated by more
zeal than the other, not that they have less occasion
for their money. I am, with sincere esteem, &c.
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, SECRETARY
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Newburg, 8 January, 1783,
DEAR SIR,
The Marquis, in his letter to me, is not very explicit
in his sentiments respecting the negotiations of peace,