The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

AET. 45.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 267
sincerity of their patriotism. These scruples were
waved, however, in favor of Gates and Charles Lee,
and in each case at the solicitation of Washington, who
had confidence in their attachment to American liberty,
and believed important aid might be derived from their
military skill and experience.
The first symptoms of discontent are supposed to
have been manifested at Cambridge. Gates was adjutant-general of the army, with the rank of brigadier.
Mifflin went there as aid-de-camp to the Commanderin-chief, by whom, under the authority of Congress, he
was appointed quartermaster-general, with the rank of
colonel. After the organization of the first Continental
army, Gates applied for the command of a brigade, and
Mifflin of a regiment. These requests were declined
by Washington, on the ground, in the first place, that
the duties of their offices required their whole attention,
and, in the next, that such an indulgence would interfere
with the just claims of other officers. This refusal is
thought to have given an offence, that was not forgotten.
It is certain, that, after the army marched from Cambridge, General Gates made interest with Congress to
be employed at a distance from Washington's immediate
command, and continued to do so; and the correspondence with him on the part of Gates, made necessary
by his official relation to the Commander-in-chief, so far
from being cordial and friendly, was marked with "an
air of design, a want of candor in many instances, and
even of politeness." These are the words of Washington, contained in a letter to the President of Congress
three years after the army left Cambridge, and they are
verified by the correspondence since published.
Conway, by birth an Irishman, had been in the
French service from his youth, and founded his claim
to consideration on the circumstance of his being an