The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
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 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
Nor were his feelings tortur'd but by foes,
He keenly felt his army's wants and woes.
What time, unpaid, ill-clothed for years entire,
Our war-worn legions felt distresses dire;
Some mutinous unknown,
in friendship's guise,
Taught black revolt and bade the tumult rise:
To meet the malice of his secret pen,
Mild in the midst uprose the first of men.
The storm was hush'd. The patriot legions prov'd
How much their country and their chief they lov'd:
Still could his country in each crisis boast
His word her treasure and his name a host.
He keenly felt his army's wants and woes.
What time, unpaid, ill-clothed for years entire,
Our war-worn legions felt distresses dire;
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Taught black revolt and bade the tumult rise:
To meet the malice of his secret pen,
Mild in the midst uprose the first of men.
The storm was hush'd. The patriot legions prov'd
How much their country and their chief they lov'd:
Still could his country in each crisis boast
His word her treasure and his name a host.
The transaction here alluded to occurred at the cantonment of the army, near Newburgh, State of New-York, in the winter 1782–3. For the particulars of this extraordinary event, a reference must be made to the anonymous letters which were intended to excite a mutiny, for the purpose of forcing Congress to pay the arrearages due to the troops—to the address of General Washington, and to the resolutions passed by the delegates of the army on the occasion. When General Washington rose from bed on the morning of the meeting, he told the writer his anxiety had prevented him from sleeping one moment the preceding night.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |