Fascinating and quite significant address, unsigned but most probably by Shepard, to his fellow officers. Couched as a farewell speech, the men are reminded of their toils and the suffering they have undergone in establishing the independence of the United States, and of the promises made to them regarding back-pay and compensation. But it has become evident that “faith has its limits as well as tempers, there are points beyond which neither can be stratch’d without giving into credulity – or sinking into cowardice… If this be your treatment while the arms you wear are necessary for the defence of America, what have you to expect from peace, when your voice shall sink and your strength disipate by divisions; when those arms the instruments & companions of your Glory shall be taken from you…” The speaker advises the addressees “Let two, or three Men, who can speak as well as write, be appointed to draw up a remonstrance…let it represent in language that will neither dishonor you by its meanness nor betray you by its fears, how much has been promised by Congress & what has been performed, how long and how patiently we have suffered, how little we have ask’d, and of that little how much has been denied…” This advise apparently resulted in the petition signed by John Paterson, Rufus Putnam and Jonathan Crane that is also present in this collection.