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.

554 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPErNDIx.
Congress declared, however desirous they were to have our accounts
settled, and the commutation'fixed, as well as to get funds, yet
they would oppose referring us to the States for a settlement and
security, till all prospect of obtaining Continental funds was at an
end.
"Whether this is near or not, as commutation for the half-pay
was one of the principal objects of the address, the obtaining of
that is necessary, previous to our particularizing what fund will be
most agreeable to us; this must be determined by circumstances.
If Congress get funds we shall be secured. If not, the equivalent
settled, a principle will be established, which will be more acceptable to the eastern States than half-pay, if application must be
made to them. As it is not likely that Congress will be able to
determine soon on the commutation (for the reasons above-mentioned), it is judged necessary that Colonel Brooks return to the
army, to give them a more particular detail of our prospects than
can be done in the compass of a letter. It is however thought
proper, that General McDougall should remain in Philadelphia, to
endeavour at a proper time to bring on the determination of Congress ofn the important question, as well as to quicken the accomplishment of the other points contained in the address. In the
mean time Colonel Ogden visits his family,_ as well as to do some
business which will greatly promote the object of our being sent
here. Colonel Ogden will, however, return, if it should be judged
necessary. We conceive it expedient to make the army this general report, and beg leave to refer you to Colonel Brooks for a
more particular one.
"We are, Sir, with great truth, your affectionate humble servants.
"ALEX. MCDOUGALL.
" M. OGDEN."
The representations thus communicated, in the resolves of Congress and the report of the committee, were by no means satisfactory to all the officers of the army, if indeed to any. Further
measures to make known their sentiments and enforce their claims
were by some of them thought necessary. In the opinion of these
persons a fit occasion was now presented " for assembling the officers, not in mass, but by representation; and for passing a series
of resolutions, which, in the hands of their committee, and of their
auxiliaries in Congress, would furnish a new and powerful lever for
operating on the two dissenting States. But to this end, there was
yet wanting the interposition of a hand, which should touch with
some ability the several chords of sympathy and feeling that be