that, previous to your dissolution as an
army, they will cause all your accounts to be fairly liquidated, as
directed in the resolutions which were published to you two days
ago, and that they will adopt the most effectual measures in their
power to render ample justice to you for your faithful and
meritorious services. And let me conjure you, in the name of our
common country, as you value your own sacred honor, as you respect
the rights of humanity, and as you regard the military and national
character of America, to express your utmost horror and detestation
of the man who wishes, under any specious pretenses, to overturn
the liberties of our country, and who wickedly attempts to open the
flood-gates of civil discord, and deluge our rising empire in
blood.

"By thus determining and thus acting, you will pursue the plain and
direct road to the attainment of your wishes; you will defeat the
insidious designs of your enemies, who are compelled to resort from
open force to secret artifice; you will give one more distinguished
proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue rising superior
to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; and you will,
by the dignity of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to
say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to
mankind, 'Had this day been wanting, the world had never seen the
last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of
attaining.'"--_Journals of Congress_, viii 180-183.

[4] A full account of this society, with drawings of the orders
worn by the members, and the certificate of membership, may be found in
the first volume of _Lossing's Field-Book of the Revolution_.

[5] The following is a copy of Washington's last general order:--

"ROCKY HILL, NEAR PRINCETON, _November 2, 1783._

"The United States in Congress assembled, after giving the most
honorable testimony to the merits of the federal armies, and
presenting them with the thanks of their country, for their long,
eminent, and faithful service, having thought proper, by their
proclamation bearing date the sixteenth of October last, to
discharge such part of the troops as were engaged for the war, and
to permit the officers on furlough to retire from service, from and
after to-morrow, which proclamation having been com