The Baron DeKalb [pp. 141-202]

172 TAc Baron DeKaib. [July,
way became the officer in command. So far, therefore,
the cabal had been successful. What were the particular
subjects of annoyance to DeKalb himself, and what the
demonstrations which he alleges himself to have r~isted,
we are not prepared to say. It was the most painful portion of the difficulty to the fliends of Washington, at this
period, that the popularity of Gates was such, that it was
no good policy to indulge in such open speech as would
compel a trial of strength between the parties. Seeing
here-shown in whatever suppressed terms-the feeling
which DeKalb entertained towards Gates, we may conjecture what must have been the secret feelings of th&
former, when Gates superseded him in the command of
`the army sent to the succour of South-Carolina. We do
not wonder that he should see none but evil auguries accompanying the banner of the hero of Sarato~a
be should predict nothing but disaster Irom ~, and that
his presence.
That he did so, however, we owe to no better authority
than Weems. That he might have done so, is a reasonable conclusion, from what we know of his estimate and
opinion of Gates.
The first of May finds DeKalb again in camp, at Valley Forge, from whence, on that day, his next letter to the
President of Congress is addressed.
"SIR:-As I make no doubt but the arrival of Simeon Deane
will be agreeable to all those that waited impatiently for a more
active part from France in your contest, I take the earliest opp9rtunity of congratulating your Excellency upon it. I always expected
as much, this good while, and am heartily glad it happened so,
before England would make you (without being compelled to it by
the measures of his most Ch. [ristian] m~esty) such pro~~osals as,
perhaps, many Americans (even those whose credit and influence
are great) would be of opinion to accept of; though confident Great
Britain would never have thought of making it up, but upon her
own terms, of implicit submis4ion of the colonies, if she had the
least hope of success by force of arms, or [if] left quiet by her
neighbours. I say that ~ome, even membeis of Congress, may
possibly oppose the propositions of France, and urge the States of
the acceptii)g [to the acceptance of] those to be made [p2ssibly] by
England, and to pay no regard to the assistance the States received
from the former till now, without which it would have been almost
impossible for America to contest for her right against the latter
I hope your Excellency, joined by all lovers of justice, will oppose