s at Congress, who, as the General-in-Chief was
informed, had promised him his speedy promotion. General Washington
remonstrated, representing the injustice of promoting to the highest
rank the youngest brigadier in the service; and whilst the matter was
pending, was put in possession of a letter from Conway to General Gates,
whom he complimented, saying, that "Heaven had been determined to save
America, or a weak general and bad councillors would have ruined it."
The General enclosed the note to Mr. Conway, without a word of comment;
and Conway offered his resignation, which was refused by Congress,
who appointed him Inspector-General of the army, with the rank of
Major-General.

"And it was at this time," says Harry (with many passionate exclamations
indicating his rage with himself and his admiration of his leader),
"when, by heavens, the glorious Chief was oppressed by troubles enough
to drive ten thousand men mad--that I must interfere with my jealousies
about the Frenchman! I had not said much, only some nonsense to Greene
and Cadwalader about getting some frogs against the Frenchman came to
dine with us, and having a bagful of Marquises over from Paris, as we
were not able to command ourselves;--but I should have known the Chief's
troubles, and that he had a better head than mine, and might have had
the grace to hold my tongue.

"For a while the General said nothing, but I could remark, by the
coldness of his demeanour, that something had occurred to create a
schism between him and me. Mrs. Washington, who had come to camp, also
saw that something was wrong. Women have artful ways of soothing men and
finding their secrets out. I am not sure that I should have ever tried
to learn the cause of the General's displeasure, for I am as proud as
he is, and besides" (says Hal), "when the Chief is angry, it was not
pleasant coming near him, I can promise you." My brother was indeed
subjugated by his old friend, and obeyed him and bowed before him as a
boy before a schoolmaster.

"At last," Hal resumed, "Mrs. Washington found out the mystery.
'Speak to me after dinner, Colonel Hal,' says she. 'Come out to the
parade-ground, before the dining-house, and I will tell you all.' I
left a half-score of general officers and brigadiers drinking round the
General's table, and found Mrs. Washington waiting for me. She then told
me it was the speech I had made about the box of Marquises, with which
the General was offended. 'I sho