On the 9th day of April last, a committee of Congress did me the honor to call, for the purpose of consulting on certain propositions contained in a letter from the Commander in Chief to an honorable member from Virginia. One of these propositions was to make the army three months' pay previous to their disbandment. My reply was, an acknowledgement that the claim was very reasonable, a declaration that I doubted of the practicability, and a prayer to be indulged with time for consideration. On the 14th of April I wrote a letter to that committee, in which I had the honor to inform them, that three months' pay amounted, according to the estimates, to seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. That to supply so large a sum was utterly impracticable, or indeed to obtain any considerable part. That the most which could be done was to risk a large paper anticipation. That to render the arrangements for that purpose effectual in an official point of view would be a work of time. That the period of my official existence was nearly arrived; that disbanding the army in a manner satisfactory to them and the country was doubtless desirable. That I believed it to be practicable, although extremely difficult, and that I should be ready at all times to give my advice and assistance to those who might be charged with that delicate and perilous undertaking. On the 22d of April, Congress were pleased to appoint a committee to confer with me relative to my continuance in office. I told that honorable committee, that the late advices from Europe gave a new complexion to our affairs, and prayed some further time for the receipt of intelligence. On the 24th of April, I had the honor to inform the committee, that if Congress thought my assistance essential toward completing such payment to the army as might be agreed on, &c. I would consent to a further continuance in office for that purpose; but prayed to be excused from that service if Congress could otherwise accomplish their views. On the 28th of April, Congress were pleased to resolve, that the public service _required my continuance in office_ till arrangements for the reduction of the army could be made, and the engagements taken in consequence, as well as those already taken, should be completed. On the 2d day of May Congress were pleased to pass some further resolutions on the same subject, which I shall shortly have occasion to mention. On the 3d of May I had the honor to entreat of your Excellency, that you would inform Congress that I entertained a proper sense of their assurance of firm support, and _in reliance on them_ should continue my zealous exertions for the service of the United States.