George Washington The following passage is an excerpt from a speech given by George Washington to the troops of the American Revolution on March 15, 1783, when he was still a general. At the time of the speech, called the Newburgh Address, the young United States Congress had failed to pay the soldiers for some time and had not funded their pensions. An anonymous letter was circulated among the troops calling for mutiny, or rebellion, should Congress fail to pay. In response, General Washington gave the Newburgh Address. The speech ultimately won his officers and his troops back to the side of the new nation. Read the passage. Then, answer the question(s).

(1) If my conduct heretofore, has not evinced1 to you, that I have been a faithful friend to the Army, my declaration of it at this moment would be equally unavailing and improper. But as I was among the first who embarked in the cause of our common Country. As I have never left your side one moment, but when called from you on public duty. As I have been the constant companion and witness of your Distresses, and not among the last to feel, and acknowledge your Merits. As I have ever considered my own Military reputation as inseparably connected with that of the Army. As my Heart has ever expanded with joy, when I have heard its praises, and my indignation has arisen, when the mouth of detraction has been opened against it, it can scarcely be supposed, at this late stage of the War, that I am indifferent to its interests.

(2) But, how are they to be promoted? The way is plain, says the anonymous Addresser. If War continues, remove into the unsettled Country; there establish yourselves, and leave an ungrateful Country to defend itself. But how are they to defend? Our Wives, our Children, our Farms, and other property which we leave behind us. Or, in this state of hostile separation, are we to take the two first (the latter cannot be removed), to perish in a Wilderness, with hunger, cold and nakedness? If Peace takes place, never sheath your Swords Says he until you have obtained full and ample justice; this dreadful alternative, of either deserting our Country in the extremest hour of her distress, or turning our Arms against it, (which is the apparent object, unless Congress can be compelled into instant compliance) has something so shocking in it, that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! What can this writer have in view, by recommending such measures? Can he be a friend to the Army? Can he be a friend to this Country? Rather, is he not an insidious Foe? Some Emissary, perhaps from New York, plotting the ruin of both, by sowing the seeds of discord and separation between the Civil and Military powers of the Continent? And what a Compliment does he pay to our understandings, when he recommends measures in either alternative, impracticable in their Nature?

(3) But here, Gentlemen, I will drop the curtain,2 because it would be as imprudent in me to assign my reasons for this opinion, as it would be insulting to your conception, to suppose you stood in need of them. A moment’s reflection will convince every dispassionate Mind of the physical impossibility of carrying either proposal into execution.

1evinced provided evidence
2drop the curtain conclude
What kind of source is this passage an example of?

A.
It is a secondary source because the reader was not present at the event.

B.
It is a primary source because it is an account of events by a participant.

C.
It is a primary source because it is written in the first person.

D.
It is a secondary source because it is about a historical event.