The American Minute: “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world”- King George III commenting on General George Washington’s resignation

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.A disgruntled group of officers in New York met and formed a Newburgh Conspiracy.

They plotted to march into the Capitol and force Congress to give them back pay and pensions.

With some British troops still remaining 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 clandestine 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 the domination of a king.

With this one act by George Washington, the conspiracy collapsed.

Congress soon 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.

George Washington wrote to General Nathanael Greene, February 6, 1783:

“It will not be believed that such a force as Great Britain has employed for eight years in this country could be baffled in their plan of subjugating it

by numbers infinitely less, composed of men oftentimes half starved; always in rags, without pay, and experiencing, at times, every species of distress which human nature is capable of undergoing.”

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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.

At a time when kings killed to get power and kings killed to keep power, George Washington’s decision to give up power gained world-wide attention.

Earlier in 1783, the American-born painter Benjamin West was in England painting the portrait of King George III.

When the King asked what General Washington planned to do now that he had won the war.

West replied:

“They say he will return to his farm.”

King George exclaimed:

“If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”