The History of the Insurrections, by George Minot

The sentiments entertained respecting private creditors could not long fail of reaching those of the publick. The first of this class of men who fell under popular censure were the unfortunate officers of the army. At a time when the country was disheartened with the appearance of an unequal struggle, Congress thought it necessary to promise half pay for life to such of them as would continue in service. This measure occasioned no difficulties at the time, but when a commutation of five years full pay, was given them for this half pay, by a resolve of the 22d of March, 1782, though calculated upon principles extremely favourable to the states, it raised a general outcry ; and occasioned a tardiness in the payment of taxes. So great was the influence of this clamour over the House of Representatives, that they, for a long time, insisted upon introducing a clause into a bill, then about to be passed, for granting an impost to the United States, to provide that no part of the proceeds of that duty, from any of the states, should be applied to the fulfilment [sic] of this advantageous contract.

The censure of the people ought to have been, and possibly was lessened by a mortifying circumstance, on the part of the officers, arising from the very execution of this agreement. The addition