[The Newburgh Conspiracy]
Peace talks between America and Great Britain began in April, 1782 and a preliminary peace treaty was signed seven months later. Although, the fighting was now over, It was necessary to maintain a force at Washington's main camp at Newburg until a final peace treaty was signed. The soldiers at Newburg had gone without pay for a long time, and by March of 1783, many men and their families were in desperate straits. On March 10, 1783, an anonymous letter, written by Major John Armstrong, was circulated among the officers at Newburg; the letter condemned Congress for failure to honor its promises to the army and incited the veterans to defy Congress if the accounts were not promptly and equitably settled. Major John Armstrong circulated a second anonymous letter two days later which implied that Washington supported his efforts. A revolt began to percolate which threatened destroy a very new and fragile democracy.On March 15, 1783, Washington personally addressed a regular meeting of the officers at Newburgh. He stood before them, a commander-in-chief whose strength of personality had held together a rag tag army for eight years; a commander who, when the revolution seemed lost, had led them to improbable victories at Trenton and Princeton, rallied them at Monmouth, shared their misery at Valley Forge, and finally had led them to victory at Yorktown, and then independence. Washington advised moderation, patience, and promised expeditious congressional action on the salary and pension demands of the soldiers. He asked them to abandon their talk of rebellion, but their distresses were severe, dissatisfaction ran deep, and Washington's first words had no effect. Finally, Washington fumbled for his glasses to read a crumpled note from a Congressman which he said would show Congress's good faith to pay its soldiers. He then spoke a few powerful words: "Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country." Further words choked in his throat and he turned and left. This humble statement by their commander-in-chief, who had done so much, brought shame to their souls and tears to their Eyes. The threat to democracy at Newburgh evaporated.
For more information on this subject, please checkout the links below.
The first site gives the particulars and the last two will give the speech.