Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 facts for kids
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Independence Hall in Philadelphia
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| Date | June 20, 1783 |
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| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Also known as | Philadelphia Mutiny |
| Participants | Congress of the Confederation, soldiers from the Pennsylvania Line |
| Outcome | Capital moved from Philadelphia, creation of federal district |
The Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783 was a protest by about 400 soldiers from the Continental Army in June 1783. These soldiers were upset because they had not been paid for their service in the American Revolutionary War. The protest happened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Because the government of Pennsylvania did not stop the protest, the Congress of the Confederation had to leave Philadelphia. This event eventually led to the creation of a special federal district to be the nation's capital.
Contents
Why the Mutiny Happened
The Government's Location
From March 1781, the Congress and the government of Pennsylvania were both in Philadelphia. They shared the Pennsylvania State House, which is now called Independence Hall. At this time, the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation. Under these rules, Congress did not have direct control over the military during peacetime. It mostly relied on state militias to keep order and enforce laws.
Soldiers Demand Payment
On June 17, 1783, Congress received a message from soldiers of the Continental Army. These soldiers were stationed in Philadelphia. They demanded to be paid for their service during the American Revolutionary War. The soldiers warned that they would take action that very day if their demands were not met. Congress did not respond to their message. However, the soldiers did not act on their threat that day.
Two days later, Congress learned that about 80 soldiers had left their post. They came from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which is about 60 miles (97 km) west of Philadelphia. These soldiers joined the troops already in the city barracks. This group of about 500 men now had control over the weapons and ammunition.
The Protests Begin
Soldiers Surround the State House
On the morning of Friday, June 20, about 400 soldiers surrounded the State House. They were demanding their pay. The soldiers blocked the doors and at first would not let the government representatives leave. Alexander Hamilton, who was a representative from New York, talked to the soldiers. He convinced them to let Congress meet later to discuss their concerns. The soldiers then allowed the members of Congress to leave peacefully that afternoon.
That evening, a small group from Congress met in secret. This group was led by Alexander Hamilton. They wrote a message to the Pennsylvania government. They asked the state government to protect Congress from the protesting soldiers. The letter warned that Congress would have to move if the state did not act.
Congress Leaves Philadelphia
On June 21, the Congressional group met again at the State House. They met with members of the Pennsylvania government, including its president, John Dickinson. The members of Congress asked the state government to do more to protect the federal government. Dickinson and his council agreed to talk with the militia leaders. They promised to reply to Congress the next day.
The next morning, the Pennsylvania government again refused Congress's request. Congress did not feel safe or protected by the state. So, the members of Congress left Philadelphia that day. They moved to Nassau Hall in Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton became the temporary capital of the United States.
When George Washington heard about the mutiny on June 24, he sent troops. About 1,500 soldiers, led by Major General William Heath and General Robert Howe, were sent to stop the protest. Some of the protesting soldiers were arrested. Congress also started an investigation into what had happened.
What Happened Next
Why Pennsylvania Didn't Act
There are a few ideas about why John Dickinson and the Pennsylvania government did not act.
- The official reason was that they were not sure if the local militia would actually protect Congress from their fellow soldiers.
- They might have also thought the problem was not as serious as Congress believed. They might have thought the protest could be solved peacefully.
- Another idea is that Dickinson, who had been a military officer, felt sympathy for the soldiers' complaints.
- A third idea is that the state government did not want Pennsylvania, a sovereign state, to be forced to do what a few members of Congress demanded.
Moving the Capital
After Congress finished its work in Princeton in November 1783, the capital moved again. It moved to Annapolis, Maryland, later that month. Then, in November 1784, it moved to Trenton, New Jersey. Finally, in January 1785, it moved to New York City.
It was not until the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that representatives decided to meet in Philadelphia again. Pennsylvania's failure to protect Congress was a main reason for a big decision. The people who wrote the Constitution decided to create a special federal district. This district would be separate from any state. In this district, Congress could provide for its own safety.
So, in Article One, Section 8, of the United States Constitution, they gave Congress the power to control this district. This district would be the seat of the United States government.
After the U.S. Constitution was approved by New York in 1788, New York City remained the temporary capital. In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act. This act created the District of Columbia. It was located along the Potomac River, using land from Maryland and Virginia. This new district would be the permanent federal capital.
Robert Morris, a representative from Pennsylvania, convinced Congress to return to Philadelphia while the new capital was being built. So, the Residence Act said Philadelphia would be the temporary capital for 10 years. Philadelphia tried one last time to keep the capital. The city started building a new presidential palace and expanding Congress Hall. But their efforts failed. The federal government moved from Philadelphia for the last time on May 14, 1800.
