Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/557

] elevated station? Merit and talents, with which I can have no pretensions of rivalship, have ever been subject to it. My heart tells me, that it has been my unremitted aim to do the best that circumstances would permit; yet I may have been very often mistaken in the judgment of the means, and may in many instances deserve the imputation of error."

It is evident, from the proceedings of Congress for some time preceding, that there was a considerable party in that body, which lent themselves to this disgraceful attempt against Washington's good name. The appointment of a new Board of War, of which Gates and Mifflin were members, together with a projected expedition to Canada, without at all consulting Washington, were clear indications of the purposes of the Cabal, to endeavor to force the commander-in-chief to resign his post in disgust. But Washington was not to be moved from his steadfastness. Lafayette, also, whose Jove and veneration for the man who called him his friend, knew no bounds, although attempted to be flattered and cajoled into favoring the Cabal, openly and positively refused to have any connection with it, "I am bound to your fate," he wrote to Washington, "and I shall follow it, and sustain it, as well by my sword, as by all the means in my power." And the army, as a whole, were roused to deep indignation at the audacious designs of certain restless and intriguing men against the beloved commander-in-chief.

Gates and Mifflin, in letters quoted by Gordon, strongly asseverated that they were in nowise partakers in any plan for removing Washington from his post. Conway, too, made some efforts of a similar kind; but it may be regarded as certain, that the two former knew very well what was going on, and were prepared to profit by the result; and as to the latter, his