"My orders I now take from General Gates, without the
slightest rancor, I assure you, or the least unworthy
sentiment of envy or chagrin. Congress, in its wisdom, has
ordered it; and I count him unspeakably base who shall serve
his country the less ardently because of a petty and personal
disappointment in ambitions unfulfilled.
"I remain loyal in heart and deed to my country and to
General Gates, who may command my poor talents in any manner
he sees fitting.
"I say this to you because I am an older man, and I know
something of younger men, and I have liked you from the
first. I say it particularly because, now that you also owe
duty and instant obedience to General Gates, I do not wish
your obedience retarded, or your sense of duty confused by
any mistaken ideas of friendship to me or loyalty to
my person.
"In these times the individual is nothing, the cause
everything. Cliques, cabals, political conspiracies are
foolish, dangerous--nay, wickedly criminal. For, sir, as long
as the world endures, a house divided against itself
must fall.
"Which leads me with greatest pleasure to mention your wise
and successful diplomacy in the matter of the Long House.
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