The Day George Washington May Have Saved Our Young Nation by Putting on His Glasses

“His Excellency, after reading the first paragraph, made a short pause, took out his spectacles, and begged the indulgence of his audience while he put them on, observing at the same time, that he had grown gray in their service, and now found himself growing blind. There was something so natural, so unaffected, in this appeal as rendered it superior to the most studied oratory; it forced its way to the heart, and you might say sensibility moistened every eye.”

From The Journals of Major Samuel Shaw, the First American Consul at Canton, Page 104.

“By the winter of 1782-83 tension had reached a dangerous level. The future of the Republic was in doubt.”

U.S. Army Field Manual 1, Chapter 1

March 1783 – Newburgh and New Windsor, New York…

The Army’s patience with the Continental Congress and its refusal to resolve the issue of back pay and pensions was at an end. Active military engagement had ended with the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and now rumors were flying that a formal peace treaty would soon be at hand. Would these veterans now be regarded as useless and cast aside in the new republic – forgotten and uncompensated for their long and arduous service, which took many of them through the icy cold winters of starvation and deprivation at Valley Forge and Morristown – through the deadly heat of the Battles like Monmouth, and much besides?

An anonymous circular had made its way around the New Windsor Cantonment, calling for an unsanctioned gathering to occur the following day, March 1, at the meeting hall known as “the Temple.” At its heart was this threat:

“… the slightest mark of indignity from Congress now, must operate like the grave and part you forever; that in any political event the army has its alternative. If peace, that nothing shall separate you from your arms but death; if war, then courting he auspices and inviting the directions of your illustrious leader, you will retire to some unsettled county…”

It was an outright threat to march under arms to Philadelphia, should peace arrive and their demands be left unmet. The exact origins and motives of the circular were clandestine and debated to this day, but certain members of the nationalist faction in the Continental Congress were playing with fire; fanning the flames of army unrest and linking the issue of army pay to their revenue raising proposals. When it became obvious that Washington and senior officers deeply committed to him–such as Henry Knox–were appalled by the suggestion, they moved on to a well-known Washington rival–General Horatio Gates. It is most likely that his aide, Major John Armstrong, was the anonymous author of the circular. In today’s terms, think of the uproar over January 6, and imagine instead the 101st Airborne Division, under arms, threatening the Capitol with their commanding officers at their head. Now that would be an insurrection.

Washington immediately issued a direct order cancelling such “disorderly proceedings” and in its stead called for an officers’ conference to be held at the Temple on Saturday, March 15, to discuss the report of the Army Committee that had recently returned from Congress. The order included a provision for a written report of the meeting to be made to the Commander, and so it was presumed he would not attend.

Meanwhile another circular made its way around, claiming that Washington’s call for a meeting must mean he favors such action.

The “Temple” was a recently built rough-hewn affair. It had a large fireplace, plenty of benches, with large double doors on both broad sides, but with a smaller anti-room with its own door behind the speaker’s podium.

General Horatio Gates called the meeting to order and began to summarize its purpose. He was interrupted by a commotion behind him. The door to the anti-room swung wide, and the open door to the outside behind it flooded the inner door with sunlight. Surrounded by that light stood the six-foot-three figure of His Excellency, Lieutenant General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army of the United States of America.

Washington begged for the floor, and Gates immediately surrendered same to him. He apologized for the intrusion but said that this last circular made it necessary that he “give his sentiments to the army.” He then took out pieces of paper with oversized writing and began to read.

Gentlemen. By an anonymous summons, an attempt has been made to convene you together. How inconsistent with the rules of propriety, how unmilitary and how subversive of all order and discipline… If my conduct heretofore has not evinced to you that I have been a faithful friend to the army, my declaration of it as this time would equally unavailing and improper… it can scarcely be supposed, at this late stage of the war, that I am indifferent to its interests.

But how are they to be promoted? The way is plain, says the anonymous addresser. If war continues, remove into the unsettled country… If peace takes place, never sheath your sword, says he, until you have obtained full and ample justice. This dreadful alternative, of deserting our country in the extremest hour of her distress or turning our arms against it (which is the apparent object unless Congress can be compelled into instant compliance) has something so shocking in it that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! What can this writer have in view by recommending such measures? Can he be a friend to the Army? Can he be a friend to this country…?

Foot shuffling. Mumbling. Clearly Washington’s words were not having his desired effect. He reached into his pocket and produced a letter he said was from Congressman Joseph Jones, giving evidence of Congressional support for the Army. He began to read it haltingly, moving the paper closer, then further from his eyes. Then he reached into another pocket and withdrew a small case.

“Gentlemen… You will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray in your service but now find myself growing blind.”

Washington tried to go back to reading the letter. There was a sniff among the officers, then another and another. A sob, then two or three, then more. Washington himself then wiped a tear from his eye, turned and abruptly exited as he had come.

General Henry Knox, his trusted artillery officer, leapt to the podium and moved for resolutions rejecting these anonymous propositions and expressing confidence in the justice of Congress. The motion was immediately seconded and loudly carried.

The so-called “Newburgh Conspiracy” melted away with the last of the winter snow.

Author’s notes: Major Samuel Shaw, an officer under the command of Henry Knox and whose journals provide the best firsthand account of this event, is, as a young boy, the main character in the upcoming YA novel Justice For All – Even Redcoats. Anyone wishing to get a sense of what it must have been like that day can visit the reconstructed “Temple of Virtue” at the New Windsor Cantonment, not far from the United States Military Academy at West Point.