reasoned wrong about the means of obtaining a good end, and, on consideration, I hope and flatter myself they will renounce what must appear to be improper.  At the opening of a campaign, when under marching orders for an important service, their own honour, duty to the public and to themselves, and a regard to military propriety, will not suffer them to persist in a measure which would be a violation of them all.  It will even wound their delicacy, coolly to reflect that they have hazarded a step, which has an air of dictating terms to their country, by taking advantage of the necessity of the moment.

“The declaration they have made to the state, at so critical a time, that unless they obtain relief in the short period of three days, they must be considered out of the service, has very much that aspect; and the seeming relaxation of continuing until the state can have a reasonable time to provide other officers, will be thought only a superficial veil.  I am now to request that you will convey my sentiments to the gentlemen concerned, and endeavour to make them sensible that they are in an error.  The service for which the regiment was intended will not admit of delay.  It must at all events march on Monday morning, in the first place to camp, and farther directions will be given when it arrives.  I am sure I shall not be mistaken in expecting a prompt and cheerful obedience.”

The representations of this letter did not completely produce the desired effect.  The officers did not recede from their claims.  In an address to the Commander-in-chief, they expressed their unhappiness that any act of theirs should give him pain, but proceeded to justify the step they had taken.  Repeated memorials had been presented to their legislature, which had been received with promises of attention, but had been regularly neglected.  “At length,” said they, “we have lost all confidence in our legislature.  Reason and experience forbid that we should have any.  Few of us have private fortunes; many have families who already are suffering every thing that can be received from an ungrateful country.  Are we then to suffer all the inconveniences, fatigues, and dangers of a military life, while our wives and our children are perishing for want of common necessaries at home;—­and that without the most distant prospect of reward, for our pay is now only nominal?  We are sensible that your excellency can not wish nor desire this from us.

“We are sorry that you should imagine we meant to disobey orders.  It was and still is our determination to march with our regiment, and to do the duty of officers until the legislature should have a reasonable time to appoint others, but no longer.

“We beg leave to assure your Excellency, that we have the highest sense of your ability and virtues;—­that executing your orders has ever given us pleasure;—­that we love the service, and we love our country;—­but when that country gets so lost to virtue and justice as to forget to support its servants, it then becomes their duty to retire from its service.”