Two of the highest posts went to Englishmen who proved themselves not only technically unfit, but suspiciously near disloyalty.

One of these was Charles Lee, who thought the major-generalship to which Congress appointed him beneath his notice; the other was also an Englishman, Horatio Gates, Adjutant-General.

A third, Thomas, when about to retire in pique, received from Washington the following rebuke: In the usual contests of empire and ambition, the conscience of a soldier has so little share, that he may very properly insist upon his claims of rank, and extend his pretensions even to punctilio;--but in such a cause as this, when the object is neither glory nor extent of territory, but a defense of all that is dear and valuable in private and public life, surely every post ought to be deemed honorable in which a man can serve his country.[1] [Footnote 1: Ford, _George Washington_, I, 175.] Besides the complaints which reached Washington from all sides, he had also to listen to the advice of military amateurs.

Some of these had never been in a battle and knew nothing about warfare except from reading, but they were not on this account the most taciturn.

Many urged strongly that an expedition be sent against Canada, a design which Washington opposed.