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.

APPENDIX.] CONWAY'S CABAL. 511
great many, and that, though the paragraph quoted by Colonel Wilkinson' was not set down verbatim, yet in substance it contained
that and ten times more. Upon this I determined to demand it from
Mr. Roberdeau in order to let you have a copy of it.
" I waited on him this morning, when, after a short introduction, I let him into the intention of my visit. He assured me he had
shown the letter only to two, the President and another, and gave me
his honor, that he had delivered it to a French gentleman by an
order from General Conway, which was sent back after he had
crossed the Susquehanna. He was full of his assurances, that the
letter did not contain the paragraph alluded to, which gave him infinite satisfaction, as he entertained the highest respect both for you
and General Gates. He added, however, that had the letter remained
in his possession, he should not have thought himself at liberty to let
a copy be taken, without the consent of the gentleman who intrusted
him with it. I told him, that, as he had pledged his honor about the
delivery of it, I thought it unnecessary to say any more upon that
subject, but that I should have thought it' my duty to take the most
effectual means of procuring a copy, had the original remained in his
hands.
" I then returned to Mr. Laurens, who gave me an extract, which
he had taken from it, which I take the liberty of enclosing to you.
The whole of that letter I understand was couched in terms of the
most bitter invective, of which this is a small sample. I enclose you
this extract rather for your private information, than with an expectation of its answering any other purpose at this time. I am of opinion that the gentlemen, who have been most active in this business, are by this time heartily sick of it, and plainly perceive that the
fabric, which they were endeavouring to rear, was likely to fall upon
their own heads. Mr. Laurens's sentiments upon the whole of this
matter were exceedingly just, and delivered with the greatest candor.
I am, &c."'
HORATIO GATES TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
"Yorktown, 19 February, 1778. - Sir; Yesterday I had the
honor to receive your' Excellency's letter of the 9th instant, and
* Colonel Fitzgerald was at this time one of General Washington's aids-decamp. The extract taken from Conway's letter by President Laurens was in
the following words. " What pity there is but one Gates! But the more I
see of this army, the less I think it fit for general action under its actual
chiefs and actual discipline. I speak to you sincerely and freely, and wish I
could serve under you."