It would have greatly abridged the calamities of America, could these resolutions have been carried into execution.

Every effort for the purpose was made by the Commander-in-chief.
To place the officers of the army in a situation which would render their commissions valuable, and hold out to them the prospect of a comfortable old age, in a country saved by their blood, their sufferings, and the labours of their best years, was an object which had always been dear to the heart of General Washington, and he had seized every opportunity to press it on congress.

That body had approached it slowly, taking step after step with apparent reluctance, as the necessity of the measure became more and more obvious.
The first resolution on the subject, passed in May, 1778, allowed to all military officers who should continue in service during the war, and not hold any office of profit under the United States or any of them, half pay for seven years, if they lived so long.

At the same time the sum of eighty dollars, in addition to his pay, was granted to every non-commissioned officer and soldier who should serve to the end of the war.

In 1779 this subject was resumed.