Lives of John Jay

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 Excerpt: ...must have known for a rival. The fame and popularity acquired by Gates for the capture of Burgoyne pointed him out as a proper instrument in the hands of the cabal. Weak and vainglorious, he was unfit to perform the part of a leader, but was easily induced to become a tool, although his vanity was such as to aspire to the highest station. His first act in opposition to Washington was probably suggested by his desire to remain at the head of an important and separate command. In this he was aided by the anxiety that was naturally felt for the recovery of the posts on the Hudson, captured by General Clinton in his unavailing attempt to relieve Burgoyne. For this reason Congress limited their orders to Gates for a detachment to reenforce the army of Washington to twenty-five hundred men, although the latter expressed his wish to receive seven thousand five hundred, which were absolutely necessary to put him in a condition to retake Philadelphia. The thanks which were justly due to Gates as the commander of the army by which so brilliant an exploit as the capture of a British general with his whole army, were freely voted by Congress. But it escaped notice, that the convention under which the arms of that formidable expedition were laid down, was far less favourable to the United States than might have been obtained under the circumstances of the case. Gates himself was so sensible of this, that he volunteered an apology, through his aid-de-camp Wilkinson, for the terms which he had granted. The conditions, which Congress afterward found it necessary to refuse to comply with, were voted honourable and advantageous; and Gates, whose task had, in fact, been accomplished, was left in absolute control of the force he had commanded, under the pretence of a necessity...