Sir:
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a Copy of an Address to me from the Generals and Officers commanding Regiments and Corps, together with my answer to them.
These enclosures will explain the distress which resulted from the measure now carrying into execution in consequence of the Resolutions of Congress of the 26th of May, but the Sensibility occasioned by a partings—under such peculiar Circumstances will not admit of description.
The two subjects of Complaint with the Army appear to be the delay of the three motnhs pay which had been expected, and the want of a settlement of accounts, I have thought myself authorized to assure them Congress had and would attend to their grievances, and have made some little variation respecting furloughs, from what was at first proposed. The Secretary at War will be able to explain the reason and propriety of this alteration.
While I consider it a tribute of Justice on this occasion, to mention the temperate and orderly behaviour of the whole army, and particularly the accomodating spirit of the Officers in arranging themselves to the command of the Battalions which will be composed of the three years men; permit me to call to mind all their former sufferings and merits and to recommend their reasonable requests to the early and favourable notice of Congress.