University of Virginia Library

SATURDAY JUNE 21 1783.

The mutinous soldiers presented themselves, drawn up in the
street before the State House, where Congress had assembled.

The executive Council of the State sitting under the same roof,
was called on for the proper interposition. President Dickinson
came in, and explained the difficulty under actual circumstances,
of bringing out the militia of the place for the suppression of the
mutiny. He thought that without some outrages on persons or
property, the militia could not be relied on. Genl St. Clair then
in Philada. was sent for, and desired to use his interposition, in
order to prevail on the troops to return to the Barracks. His
report gave no encouragement.

In this posture of things, it was proposed by Mr. Izard that
Congs shd. adjourn. It was proposed by Mr. Hamilton, that Genl
St. Clair in concert with the Executive Council of the State
should take order for terminating the mutiny. Mr. Reed moved
that the Genl shd endeavour to withdraw the troops by assuring
them of the disposition of Congs. to do them justice. It was
finally agreed that Congs. shd. remain till the usual hour of adjournment,
but without taking any step in relation to the alledged
grievances of the Soldiers, or any other business whatever. In
the meantime the Soldiers remained in their position, without
offering any violence, individuals only occasionally uttering
offensive words and wantonly pointed their Muskets to the
Widows of the Hall of Congress. No danger from premeditated
violence was apprehended, But it was observed that spirituous
drink from the tippling houses adjoining began to be
liberally served out to the Soldiers, and might lead to hasty
excesses. None were committed however, and about 3 O'C., the
usual hour Cong. adjourned; the Soldiers, tho in some instances
offering a mock obstruction, permitting the members to pass
thro their ranks. They soon afterwards retired themselves to
the Barracks.

In the Evening Congress re-assembled and passed the resolutions
on the Journal, authorizing a Committee to confer anew with
the Executive of the State and in case no satisfactory grounds
shd appear for expecting prompt and adequate exertions for suppressing
the mutiny & supporting the Public authority, authorizing
the President, with the advice of the Committee, to summon the
members to meet at Trenton or Princeton in New Jersey.

The conference with the Executive produced nothing but a

repetition of doubts concerning the disposition of the militia to act
unless some actual outrage were offered to persons or property.
It was even doubted whether a repetition of the insult to Congress
would be a sufficient provocation.

During the deliberations of the Executive, and the suspense of
the Committee, Reports from the Barracks were in constant
vibration. At one moment the Mutineers were penitent & preparing
submissions; the next they were meditating more violent
measures.[115] Sometimes the bank was their object; then the
seizure of the members of Congress with whom they imagined an
indemnity for their offence might be stipulated. On Tuesday
about 2 O'Clock, the efforts of the State authority being despaired
of, & the Reports from the Barracks being unfavorable, the
Committee advised the President to summon Congress to meet at
Princeton which he did verbally as to the members present, leaving
behind him a general Proclamation for the Press.

After the departure of Congs., the Mutineers submitted, and
most of them accepted furloughs under the Resolution of Congress,
on that subject. At the time of submission they betrayed
their leaders the chief of whom proved to be a Mr. Carberry a
deranged officer, and a Mr. Sullivan a Lieutenant of Horse; both
of whom made their escape. Some of the most active of the
sergeants also ran off.