1783
NEWBURGH, NY & NEW WINDSOR - WAR ENDED AFTER
8 YRS!
To ROCKY HILL, NJ ORANGETOWN [TAPPAN] WEST
POINT YONKERS
HARLEM THE BOWERY
ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL FRAUNCES TAVERN
PAULUS HOOK, NJ
TRENTON
PHILADELPHIA
WILMINGTON
BALTIMORE
ANNAPOLIS and HOME AGAIN at MOUNT
VERNON.
Many British Loyalists continued to leave for Nova Scotia and other parts of Canada.
On March 15, Washington addressed his unhappy, almost rebellious officers to successfully quell arguments - and re-ignite the spirit of devotion-to-country. Pensions, back pay and possible land bounties had not been resolved. The next week, Congress voted to give officers five-year's back pay.
On April 8 in Philadelphia, Congress voted to formally end hostilities with Britain. All territory east of the Mississippi, except Florida, was relinquished to the United States.
On April 19, eight years to the day of when the first shots had been fired at Concord and Lexington, Washington issued cease-fire orders. A gradual disbandment of the army at New Windsor began. On June 13, the "Black Regiment" at Saratoga - was disband.
Feeling unsafe in Philadelphia, because of a small group of Pennsylvania troops had been riotous, Congress convened in Nassau Hall at Princeton from June 30 until almost the end of December.
On August 23, 1783, George and Martha Washington arrived with his staff and bodyguard from Newburgh, NY, to be near Congress at Princeton. They rented the home known as "Rockingham" at Rocky Hill, NJ on a hillside above the Millstone River. There are local records from a young lady - exclaiming of the handsome Generals riding into Rocky Hill at full gallop, looking grandly handsome in their Blue and Golden Buff uniforms.
On September 3, England, France, The Netherlands, Spain and the United States signed a series of agreements, collectively known as the Treaty of Paris - ending the eight-year war.
Spain was left with the greatest holdings on the North American continent with East and West Florida and lands from south of the 31st parallel and west of the Mississippi River. The Bahamas and Gibraltar were returned to Britain.
The United States claim to Canada was rejected. To the chagrin of Canadian fur traders, the United States received the wonderful fur-trade lands west of the Ohio River to the Mississippi River.
France had the satisfaction of defeating a long-time enemy - it received only minor possessions in the West Indies. All countries had huge war debts.
Twenty two members of Congress (only) showed up at the new temporary Capitol of Princeton, a town with a population of about 300. Martha and George departed Newburgh on August 18, and arrived at the rented house at Rocky Hill on August 23, 1783.
Rocky Hill, NJ
...This takes a Bit of time ==>At Rocky Hill, NJ, "Rockingham," the Berrien house, near Princeton, Martha and George Washington received the long awaited news that the Treaty of Paris had been signed! On November 2, Washington penned "a slight review of the past ..." and his Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States. (The original house is being moved to the original site overlooking the Millstone River from the top of a hill, where it had been previously moved [twice]).
On November 2 from a second story balcony at "Rockingham", Washington, indicating that he was about to retire from the army, delivered a farewell to the Armies of the United States.
On the 4th, he issued an order discharging all troops in Pennsylvania and southward, except those at Fort Pitt.
On the 6th, he wrote to Sir Guy Carlton, requesting a specific date of withdrawal of the British from New York town.
On November 11, Washington sent six baggage teams of his records and expenses, to safe keeping at Mount Vernon, VA.
He prepared to go to West Point to make the final arrangements for entering New York town. On the way, he was overtaken by a snowstorm, so he stayed for over two days at Tappan (or Orangetown) at the home of Mrs. DeWint, which he had used as Headquarters in 1780.
Washington was in West Point by November 14, 1783. He was there for almost a week.
British Sir Guy Carlton proposed withdrawal of British forces from Kingsbridge, McGowan's Pass, on November 21. And subsequent withdrawal from Long Island sites, such as Hampstead, Herrick's, Brooklyn, Paulus Hook, NJ, Dennis's and Staten Island.
Lt. Governor Van Cortlandt wrote,
"I went from Peekskill Tuesday the 18 of November. In company with his Excellency Gover'r Clinton, Col. Benson, and Col. Campbell, Lodge' that night {at} with Genl Cortlandt at Croton River, proceeded and lodged Wednesday night [19th] at Edw. Covenhov'n [Tarrytown] where we met his Excellency Genl Washington & his aids, the next Night Lodged with Mrs. Fred'k V Cortlandt at the Yonkers after having dined with Genl Lewis Morris.
Fryday morning [21st] wee rode in Company with the Commander In Chief as far as the widow Day's Tavern at 125th St. and 8th Ave. at harlem, where we held a Council.
[Washington may have stayed at the Blue Bell Tavern at Harlem Heights].
Saturday [22nd] I rode to Mr. Stuyvesants stay'd there until Tuesday [25th]. Then rode Triumphant into the Citty with the Commander." About 800 American troops were stationed between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue at Central Park North - 110th Street."
On November 25, the American troops marched from Haerlem, to the Bowery Lane at [3rd Avenue and the Bowery].
At 1 PM, the last British troops pulled back into the city as the American troops advanced into the city below St. Paul's Chapel. The British then departed via ship from New York town.
General Washington and Governor Clinton entered the city escorted by a body of West Chester light horse and followed by a procession of:
Lt. Governor and Council Members - four abreast
Major General Knox and officers of the army - eight abreast
Citizens on horseback - eight abreast
The speaker of the assembly, and citizens on foot - eight abreast.
They proceeded down Queen [Pearl] Street through Broad-way to Cape's Tavern [on the Southwest corner of Broadway and Thames Streets]. On November 25, Washington stayed at the Bull's Head Tavern.
The governor gave a public dinner at Fraunces Tavern at Broad and Queen [Pearl] Street. Washington made his quarters at this Tavern.
Celebrations and fireworks filled the days from November 25, to December 4, 1783.
On December 4, Washington made a speech and said an emotional farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern at Pearl Street and Broad Streets in New York.
He and his party of travelers left NY via boat to Paulus Hook (Jersey City) as American warships fired salvos in salute.
Washington met NJ Governor Livingston in Trenton. He remained busy in Philadelphia for a week before continuing south.
He was greeted all along the way south via Wilmington and Baltimore with praise and cheers.
Congress moved to Annapolis, Maryland - where they would stay until almost September 1784.
At the capitol in Annapolis, MD, on December 23, 1783, Washington submitted his resignation of his "Commission" to the Congress.
As victorious General Lucius Cincinnatus had done some 400 years before Christ, Washington went home to the Mansion House Farm, River Farm, Muddy Hole Farm, Dogue Run Farm, his woodlands, and Union Farm as a victor.
Martha and family greeted him at Mount Vernon. He could now farm and plan his long held hopes to expand navigation on the James and Potomac Rivers - to open commerce and settlement of western Pennsylvania, Ohio territory and Kentucky.
#1775, #1776, #1777, #1778, #1779, #1780, #1781, #1782, #1783, NEXTWestward-ho! ... Continue module ==> 1800 ... 1812 ... 1813 ...1814 ... 1815 ... Zebulon Pike ... 2nd National Anthem
(c) Copyrighted
1998-August, 2007
...TOP