CHAPTER XIX.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE U. S. FROM 1783 TO 1812.
1783.
Washington’s army had lain in camp at Newburg, N. Y., since the surrender of Cornwallis. The Preliminary treaty of peace was signed Jan. 20th, at Paris; but it was not officially announced in the camp at Newburg, until April 19th; just eight years from the Battle of Lexington that commenced it!
July—Congress prepared to disband the army, and Washington to resign his commission as Commander-in-Chief.
” 21—The great difficulty Congress had to contend with was raising money to pay the troops. Congress had no authority, under the Confederation, to lay taxes or impose duties. It exhausted its own credit in the issue of paper money which soon became of little value. It made some foreign loans, and persuaded the States, which alone could lay taxes, to raise a small sum. But this did not suffice to pay the army at last. There was much suffering and discontent.
On this day a body of soldiers, in large part new recruits, who had comparatively little to complain of, without muskets, but wearing side arms, beset the doors of Congress in Philadelphia, for three hours. No violence was offered. Congress adjourned to Princeton, N. J.
Sept. 3—The final and definite Treaty of Peace between England, France, and the United States, in which the independence of the latter was acknowledged, its boundaries defined, and various matters of interest arranged to the profit of the United States, was signed at Paris.
Nov. 2—A proclamation is issued by Congress for disbanding the army.
” 25—The British troops evacuate New York, and it is occupied by American troops under Gen. Knox.
Dec. 4—Long Island and Staten Island abandoned by the British. Washington takes leave of his officers, at New York.