June 15th
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“The approbation of my Country is what I wish, and as far as my abilities and opportunity will permit, I hope I shall endeavour to deserve it. It is the highest reward to a feeling Mind; and happy are they, who so conduct themselves as to merit it.”
To Patrick Henry (Governor)
Camp, 28 March 1778
Dear Sir,
Just as I was about to close my Letter of Yesterday, your favour of the 5th. Instant came to hand.
I can only thank you again, in the language of the most undissembled gratitude, for your Friendship; and assure you, the indulgent disposition, which Virginia, in particular, and the States in general, entertain towards me, gives me the most sensible pleasure. The approbation of my Country is what I wish, and as far as my abilities and opportunity will permit, I hope I shall endeavour to deserve it. It is the highest reward to a feeling Mind; and happy are they, who so conduct themselves as to merit it.
The Anonymous Letter, with which you were pleased to favour me, was written by Doctor Rush*, so far as I can judge from a similitude of hands. This Man has been elaborate, and studied in his professions of regard for me; and long since the Letter to you.
National Portrait Gallery
My caution to avoid any thing, that could injure the service, prevented me from communicating, but to very few of my friends, the intrigues of a faction, which I know was formed against me, since it might serve to publish our internal dissentions; but their own restless Zeal to advance their views has too clearly betrayed them, and made concealment, on my part, fruitless. I cannot precisely mark the extent of their views, but it appeared in general, that General Gates was to be exalted, on the ruin of my reputation and influence. This I am authorized to say, from undeniable facts in my own possession, from publications, the evident scope of which, could not be mistaken, and from private detractions industriously circulated. General Mifflin, it is commonly supposed, bore the second part in the Cabal**; and General Conway, I know was a very Active and malignant Partisan; but I have good reasons to believe, that their machinations have recoiled most sensibly upon themselves.
* “Dr. Benjamin Rush, Pennsylvania Delegate to the Continental Congress.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
** Conway Cabal (see also, 3-5 February and 15 November entries)
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