Marquis with friendship and favour.

Meanwhile, as it afterwards turned out, the Commander-in-Chief was most
urgently pressing Colonel Warrington's promotion upon Congress; and, as
if his difficulties before the enemy were not enough, he being at this
hard time of winter entrenched at Valley Forge, commanding five or
six thousand men at the most, almost without fire, blankets, food, or
ammunition, in the face of Sir William Howe's army, which was perfectly
appointed, and three times as numerous as his own; as if, I say, this
difficulty was not enough to try him, he had further to encounter
the cowardly distrust of Congress, and insubordination and conspiracy
amongst the officers in his own camp. During the awful winter of '77,
when one blow struck by the sluggard at the head of the British forces
might have ended the war, and all was doubt, confusion, despair in the
opposite camp (save in one indomitable breast alone), my brother had an
interview with the Chief, which he has subsequently described to me,
and of which Hal could never speak without giving way to the deepest
emotion. Mr. Washington had won no such triumph as that which the
dare-devil courage of Arnold and the elegant imbecility of Burgoyne
had procured for Gates and the northern army. Save in one or two minor
encounters, which proved how daring his bravery was, and how unceasing
his watchfulness, General Washington had met with defeat after defeat
from an enemy in all points his superior. The Congress mistrusted
him. Many an officer in his own camp hated him. Those who had been
disappointed in ambition, those who had been detected in peculation,
those whose selfishness or incapacity his honest eyes had spied
out,--were all more, or less in league against him. Gates was the chief
towards whom the malcontents turned. Mr. Gates was the only genius fit
to conduct the war; and with a vaingloriousness, which he afterwards
generously owned, he did not refuse the homage which was paid him.

To show how dreadful were the troubles and anxieties with which General
Washington had to contend, I may mention what at this time was called
the "Conway Cabal." A certain Irishman--a Chevalier of St. Louis, and an
officer in the French service--arrived in America early in the year '77
in quest of military employment. He was speedily appointed to the rank
of brigadier, and could not be contented, forsooth, without an immediate
promotion to be major-general.

Mr. C. had friend