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.

MET. 50.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 387
pension list and a privileged class, and as hostile to
republican institutions. Three officers were deputed
as a committee to carry this memorial to Congress, and
instructed to use their endeavours to obtain for it a successful hearing.
The dissensions, which had long existed in Congress, were brought to bear on this subject. Many of
the members were disposed to do ample justice to the
army, and to all other public creditors, by assuming
their claims as a Continental charge, and providing for
the settlement of them by a Continental fund and securities; while others, jealous of state rights and state
sovereignty, disapproved this course, and urged the
plan of referring unsettled accounts to the respective
States. Congress took the memorial into consideration, and passed resolves indefinite in their character,
and not such as were likely to answer the expectations
or quiet the uneasiness of the army. The claims of
public creditors were recognised, but no scheme was
suggested for establishing funds, or giving security.
On an estimate of the average ages of the officers, it
was decided, that half-pay for life was equivalent to five
years' whole pay; but the requisite number of nine
States could not be obtained in favor of the commutation.
Apprehending a defeat, if they pressed the subject,
and hoping that the vote would ultimately be carried,
the committee thought it prudent to delay further proceedings, and one of them returned to camp with a
letter containing a report of what had been done.
The representations thus communicated were by no
means satisfactory to the officers. Disappointed and
irritated, many of them were for resorting to measures,
which should convince Congress, not only of the justice
of their demands, but of their resolution to enforce them.
Hence originated the famous JV'ewburg 4ddresses. At