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"Head quarters, Newburgh, April 18, 1783.

"The commander in chief orders the cefsation of hoftilities between the United States of America and the king of Great Britain, to be publickly proclaimed tomorrow at twelve o'clock at the New building, and that the proclamation, which will be communicated herewith, be read tomorrow evening at the head of every regiment and corps of the army-after which the chaplains with the feveral brigades will render thanks to almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his over-ruling the wrath of man to his own glory, and caufing the rage of war to ceafe among the nations. "Although the proclamation before alluded to extends only to the prohibition of hoftilities and not to the annunciation of a general peace, yet it muft afford the moft rational and fincere satisfaction to every benevolent mind -- as it puts a period to a long and doubtful conteft, stops the effufion of human blood, opens the profpect to a more fplendid fcene, and like another morning star promifes the approach of a brighter day than hath hitherto illuminated the weftern hemifphere. On fuch a happy day, a day which is the harbinger of peace, a day which com- pletes the eighth year of the war, it would be ingratitude not to rejoice -- it would be infensibility not to participate in the general felicity! "The commander in chief, far from endeavoring to stifle the feelings of joy in his own bosom, offers his moft cordial congratulations on the occafion to all the officers of every denomi- nation, to all the troops of the United States in general, and in particular to thofe gallant and perfevering men who had refolved to defend the rights of their invaded country fo long as the war should continue -- for thefe are the men who ought to be confidered as the pride and boaft of the American army, and who, crowned with well-earned laurels may foon withdraw from the field of glory.