During this winter, an organized conspiracy plainly exhibited itself against the general in chief; the parties to which were several military officers and members of Congress. The triumph of Ge neral Gates at Saratoga, was urged as an evidence of what might be expected from a change in the command of the main army; and the conduct of that officer himself, left no doubt of his giving en couragement to the disaffected. A new board of war was established, of which Gates was made president; General Mifflin, another officer belong ing to the party, was nominated a member, and Brigadier-General Conway, who had written con temptuous letters about the commander-in-chief, was elevated a grade above all his seniors, and appointed inspector general. The, legislature of Pennsylvania, irritated by the continuance of the enemy in Philadelphia, expressed their dissatisfac tion with the management of the army, in a strenuous remonstrance to Congress. The conduct of Washington under these trying circumstances, was such as might have been expected from his patriotism and dignity of character. General Gates was given to know that his machinations were understood: but it was without querulousness or deprecation. Whenever definite charges were produced, investigation was earnestly courted. "There is no officer," said Washington, "in the service of the United States, that would return to the sweets of domestic life with more heartfelt joy than I should. But I would have this declaration accompanied by these sentiments, that while the public are satisfied with my endeavours, I mean not to shrink from the cause: but the moment her voice, not that of faction, calls upon me to resign, I shall do it with as much pleasure as ever the 'wearied traveller retired to rest." The conspira tors found it impossible to shake the confidence of the people and the army in their tried commander, and all efforts only recoiled upon themselves. Even the northern army which had won its laurels under Gates, expressed a preference for Washing ton. General Conway resigned his commission in order to escape the voice of universal condemna tion; shortly afterwards, while suffering under a wound believed to be mortal, received in duel with General Cadwalader, he addressed a letter of re pentance to Washington, acknowledging his char acter as a "great and good man," and hoping that he might, "long enjoy the love, veneration and esteem of these states, whose liberties he had asserted by his virtues." The war of the American revolution was truly " a history of false hopes and temporary devices," and it presents us with a constant narration of suf fering and danger; but it may well be questioned whether any period was more pregnant with both, than the winter of the encampment at Valley Forge. At one time " there was not a single hoof of any kind to slaughter, and not more than twenty-five barrels of flour;" while the commissary was unable to " tell when to expect any." In the beginning of February, the commissaries gave notice that the country was exhausted to a great distance around the camp, and that no supplies could be procured beyond the month. In the way of covering, " few men had more than one shirt, many only the moiety of one, and some none at all." By the field return, it appeared that " besides a number of men confined to hospitals for want of shoes, and others in farm-houses on the same account, no " less than two thousand eight hundred and ninety eight men were then in camp unfit for duty, be cause they were barefoot and otherwise naked." Putrid fevers added the malignity of pestilence to the other distresses of the soldiers, and while these calamities were rapidly impairing the strength of the army, a spirit scarcely less dangerous was be ginning to prevail among the officers. The de preciation of the continental money had now be come so great, that the pay of an officer had ceased to be valuable, and was inadequate to the main tenance of a decent appearance; there arose on this account a general carelessness about the holding of commissions, which led officers into a habitual contempt of the obligations of duty, and afterwards produced resignations in order to avoid censure. There can be but little doubt, that a hold effort, made with the well-equipped army of Sir William Howe, would have forced the American lines, and perhaps concluded the whole warfare. The usual prudence of the British general's tactics again pre vailed, and the circle of the war was confined to a few skirmishes of partisans and foraging de tachments.
The impression produced in England by the con vention at Saratoga, changed the tone of the minis try, and induced the passage of such laws as were supposed likely to satisfy the people of America. Governor Tryon immediately enclosed the bills to Washington, with the extraordinary request that they should be communicated to the army. This communication was immediately transmitted to Congress, where resolutions were passed reviewing the fallacies of the British enactments with great skill and severity. General Washington acknow ledged the receipt of Tryon's letter, and trans mitted in return the answer of Congress; at the same time, he begged him to be instrumental in spreading the resolutions among those who were likely to be influenced by their reasoning.
During these transactions, the whole country was suddenly filled with joy and exultation, by the receipt of official intelligence that a treaty of al liance, commerce and friendship, had been signed between the king of France and the United States. The British government treated this act as a de claration of war, and in a manifesto announced its reasons for an immediate commencement of hos tilities.
The position at Valley Forge had been selected by Washington, as offering the best advantages for covering the country, and depriving the enemy of his necessary supplies. The wisdom of the choice was exhibited by the sufferings of the British army, which in spite of abundant wealth, was obliged to detach numerous parties in order to procure forage and provisions. In the course of these expeditions, the soldiery committed much useless devastation, thus distressing and exciting the people without the least prospect of any mili tary results. The last and most important enter prise undertaken by Sir William Howe, was an at tempt to surprise General Lafayette at Barren Hill, under cover of the night; but the continental force, by some skilful manceurres, effected, in the language of the commander-in-chief, " a timely and handsome retreat;" which added to the high esteem already entertained for the merit of the marquis and his devotion to the American cause. Sir William Howe then resigned his command to Sir Henry Clinton; and as the probable approach of a French fleet rendered Philadelphia a danger ous position, it was resolved to evacuate the city, and to withdraw the whole British force from the Delaware.
The arrangements for this important movement soon attracted the attention of the commander-in chief. Every preparation was made to impede the march of the enemy through the state of New Jersey; the militia were collected, and a force of regulars marched to their assistance. On the 17th of June, Sir henry Clinton commenced the pass age of the Delaware; on the 18th, the whole army of ten thousand effective men were on the Jersey shore, from which they marched slowly, with a heavy incumbrance of baggage. Wash ington crossed the river at Coryell's Ferry, with a force about equal to that of the British, and by oc cupying the higher grounds, preserved the power of delivering or avoiding battle. The former course had been declared unadvisable by a council of war, according to the opinion expressed by General Lee; it was contended by this officer, with all the weight due to his reputation and experience, that as nothing in the present prosperous condition of American affairs could prevent the certainty of independence, except the loss in battle of the main army, such a risk could not be voluntarily ha zarded without crime. Of seventeen general offi cers, Wayne and Cadwalader alone were decidedly in favour of attacking the enemy; Lafayette ap peared to incline that way; and Greene considered that an engagement should be hazarded, if ren dered necessary, by the bounden duty of the army to protect the country. Washington reluctantly assented to the decision of the council; powerful reinforcements, however, were sent to strengthen the corps on the left flank of the enemy, with orders to give him every annoyance, and even to attack, should a proper opportunity present itself. The command of this important division was given to Lafayette, who filed off towards Englishtown, while the main body moved on Cranberry, 1n ceder to give support if required. General Lee, at his earnest request, was detached to reinforce and com mand the van, which now amounted to five thou sand men.