The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-05-26
STORIES OF AMERICAN
HISTORY TOLD AGAIN
WASHINGTON, LIKE ALL VALU-
ABLE MEN, HAD HIS
ENEMIES.

The most trying Oh tne many IhihSs
NIT General Washington had to con-
tend with during the dismal winter
he spent at Valley Forge were the
Jealous and ambitious men who tried
10 taruish his fair name and fame,
aud attempted to weaken the affec-
hou of the people for him. Among
those designated at the time as the
chief actors in "wounding the gen
eraI in the house of his friends" were
General Thomas Conway. foreign
officer oe great pretensions; Generals
Gates and Mifflin. Samuel Adams,
With two or three other of the New
England delegates in Congress and
ane of the Virginia deputies.
Whether the movement originated
in personal ambition, or a sincere
conviction of the necessity of making
a change on account of the alleged
Fabian slowness" of Washington,
is a question of difficult solution. The
measures adopted by the opponents
of the chief were certainly the re-
verse of open, manly, generous, pure
and disinterested patriotism and de-
serve. as they received at the time,
the unqualified reprobation of honest
mex.
1t is believed that Conway was the
enemies OF Washington. He was
possessed of considerable literary and
military abilities and had the advan-
aage of thirty years of experience in
the art of war. Although an Irish
man, he received his military train
ing in France and came to America
from that country. He had expected
10 receive the commission and mill
taFy pay of a major general. He was
disappointed at the outset, for Con-
Kress gave him only the commission
of a brigadier. Hoping for promo
ton, he Joined the army of Washing
ton at Morristown.
presumptuous manner disguised
Washington, and when it was rumor-
I'D that he was to be promoted by
Congress, Washington wrote letter
10 that body demonstrating against it..
The fact, coming to the ears of Con-
way, he offered his resignation and
asked permission to leave the army.
Congress would not accept it, but
appointed him inspector general OF
the army with the rank of major gen.
eral. This act is evidence of work in
the supreme legislature unfriendly to
the commander-in-chief. Gates and
Lee, Englishmen born. and officers in
other wars, also showed their i'm
patience in holding subordinate po-
sitions, each deeming himself supe-
riOr TO Washington.
The irritated and talented Conway
was ready to foster discomfort in the
public mind, and he was doubtless the
willing cats paw of Gates or his
friends in making covert attacks upon
the military character of the COM
mander-in-chief. So prominent does
Conway appear in the whole transac-
lion that it is known in history as
"Conway's Cabal."
The first important move in the
matter was the sending of anonymous
letters to the president of Congress,
and to Patrick Henry, then Governor
Of Virginia. Similar letters were
sent TO different members of Con-
gress and to the officers of the State
Legislature.
Washington was early apprised of
these secret Vaccinations, but he
suffered in silence. "My enemies"
ne said. in letter to the president of
Congress, when the matter became
subject of correspondence, take an
ungenerous advantage of me. They
know I cannot combat their insinua-
lions without disclosing secrets which
il is of the utmost moment to con-
ceal.
There is no doubt that Gates, Milf
lin and Conway were for along time
enemies ia the endeavors to effect the
removal Of Washington, but it has
5eeu thought that Gates and Mifflin
we're only working in a patriotic
sense to advance what they thought
we're the true interests of the coun-
try.
The true character of Conway, so
early discovered by Washington, be-
came at length well understood by
Congress. Finally when he found
out he had incurred the enmity of
many Of the officers of the army, he
wrote TO Congress an impertinent and
complaining letter, and intimated his
desire TO resign. A motion to accept