is something irresistibly
ludicrous in the spectacle of such generals lecturing such a man. The
sequel was honorable to the American chief. At first determined to
retaliate upon some prisoners in his hands, he changed his mind,
apparently because they, having been captured off Machias as their
vessel neared land, had "committed no hostility against the people of
this country."[120] The general therefore gave them the practical
freedom of the town of Northampton.

One other correspondence caused about this time a flutter of excitement.
Charles Lee was one of Washington's four major-generals, a man who had
seen military service in many parts of Europe and America. He had served
in the British army from 1747 until 1763, when, his regiment being
disbanded, he served in Poland and Turkey, and finally, in 1772, came to
America. Here he took up, almost violently, the cause of freedom,
perhaps because of disappointment in the English service, perhaps
because he foresaw opportunity. At any rate, he made himself
conspicuous, and was generally regarded as the foremost military man in
America, Washington alone excepted. Events proved that Lee acknowledged
no superior, and impatiently desired to be rid of his chief. Washington
was always on formal terms with his subordinate, no doubt because he
read in his character, besides a certain ability, an unstable
temperament and a hasty judgment. When once Lee was at Cambridge he
immediately rushed into a correspondence with Burgoyne, under whom he
had served in Portugal thirteen years before.

The tone of his letter was highly literary. Lee reminded Burgoyne of
their old friendship, and then, with many flourishes, went at his
business. He lamented the infatuation of the times, when men of the
stamp of Burgoyne and Howe could be seduced into an impious and
nefarious service, and reminding Burgoyne of various bygone incidents,
called to his mind his experience with the wickedness and treachery of
the present court and cabinet. He spread himself at large on the
principles of the present struggle, rejoiced that Burgoyne came by
command of the king rather than his own desire, and warned him of the
miscreants who had infatuated Gage. Then, explaining how his three years
in America had acquainted him with facts, Lee begged Burgoyne to
communicate the substance of the letter to Howe, who to his horror
seemed to be becoming the satrap of an Eastern despot. Protesting his
devotion to America as t