most trying scenes together, who by mutual aids and good offices had become dear to one another, felt with great oppression of mind the approach of that moment which was to separate them, never perhaps to meet again.  They were from different States, and from distant parts of the same State.  Hazard alone could therefore give them but rare and partial occasions of seeing each other.  They were of course to abandon altogether the hope of ever meeting again, or to devise some occasion which might bring them together.  And why not come together on purpose at stated times?  Would not the trouble of such a journey be greatly overpaid by the pleasure of seeing each other again, by the sweetest of all consolations, the talking over the scenes of difficulty and of endearment they had gone through?  This too would enable them to know who of them should succeed in the world, who should be unsuccessful, and to open the purses of all to every laboring brother.  This idea was too soothing not to be cherished in conversation.  It was improved into that of a regular association, with an organized administration, with periodical meetings, general and particular, fixed contributions for those who should be in distress, and a badge by which not only those who had not had occasion to become personally known should be able to recognise one another, but which should be worn by their descendants, to perpetuate among them the friendships which had bound their ancestors together.

General Washington was, at that moment, oppressed with the operation of disbanding an army which was not paid, and the difficulty of this operation was increased, by some two or three States having expressed sentiments, which did not indicate a sufficient attention to their payment.  He was sometimes present, when his officers were fashioning, in their conversations, their newly proposed society.  He saw the innocence of its origin, and foresaw no effects less innocent.  He was, at that time, writing his valedictory letter to the States, which has been so deservedly applauded by the world.  Far from thinking it a moment to multiply the causes of irritation, by thwarting a proposition which had absolutely no other basis but that of benevolence and friendship, he was rather satisfied to find himself aided in his difficulties by this new incident, which occupied, and, at the same time, soothed the minds of the officers.  He thought, too, that this institution would be one instrument the more, for strengthening the federal bond, and for promoting federal ideas.  The institution was formed.  They incorporated into it the officers of the French army and navy, by whose sides they had fought, and with whose aid they had finally prevailed, extending it to such grades, as they were told might be permitted to enter into it.  They sent an officer to France, to make the proposition to them, and to procure the badges which they had devised for their order.  The moment of disbanding the army having come, before they could have a full meeting to appoint their President, the General was prayed to act in that office till their first general meeting, which was to be held at Philadelphia, in the month of May following.