After the
victory over the British at Yorktown, many of the Continental soldiers
grew disillusioned with the new American government, as they had not
been paid in years.
Disgruntled,
a group of officers in New York, referred to as the Newburgh
Conspiracy, plotted to march and occupy the Capitol, then force Congress
to give them back pay and pensions.
With some British troops still on American soil, a show of disunity could have easily renewed the war.
On March 15, 1783, General George Washington surprised the conspiracy by showing up at their meeting in New York.
Washington
gave a short but impassioned speech, urging them to oppose anyone "who
wickedly attempts to open the floodgates of civil discord and deluge our
rising empire in blood."
Taking a letter from his pocket, Washington fumbled with a pair of reading glasses, which few men had seen him wear, and said:
"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."
Many
present were moved to tears as they realized the sacrifice Washington
had made for the opportunity of beginning a new nation completely free
from a king.
With this one act by George Washington, the conspiracy collapsed.
Congress later resolved the crisis by giving a sum equal to five years pay to each officer.
Six month later the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the war.
Get the book, Prayers and Presidents-Inspiring Faith from Leaders of the Past On NOVEMBER 2, 1783, from his Rock Hill headquarters near Princeton, General George Washington issued his Farewell Orders:
"Before
the Commander in Chief takes his final leave of those he holds most
dear, he wishes to indulge himself a few moments in calling to mind a
slight review of the past...
The singular interpositions of Providence in our feeble condition were such, as could scarcely escape the attention of the most unobserving;
while
the unparalleled perseverance of the Armies of the United States,
through almost every possible suffering and discouragement for the
space of eight long years,
was little short of a standing miracle." 
Washington continued:
"To
the Armies he has so long had the honor to Command, he can only again
offer in their behalf his recommendations to their grateful country,
and
his prayers to the God of Armies.
May ample justice be done then here, and
may
the choicest of Heaven's favours, both here and thereafter, attend
those who, under Divine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings
for others." A month later, December 23, 1783, Washington bid a tearful farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York.
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