Almost any American in Paris felt himself authorized to give a letter of introduction to any Frenchman or other European who wished to try his fortunes in America.  One of the notorious cases was that of a French officer named Ducoudray, who brought a letter from Deane purporting to be an agreement that Ducoudray should command the artillery of the Continental army with the rank and pay of a major-general.  Washington would take no responsibility for this appointment, which would have displaced General Knox, a hardy veteran, an indefectible patriot, and Washington’s trusted friend.  When the matter was taken up by the Congress, the demand was quickly disallowed.  The absurdity of allowing Silas Deane or any other American in Paris, no matter how meritorious his own services might be, to assign to foreigners commissions of high rank in the American army was too obvious to be debated.

To illustrate the character of Washington’s miscellaneous labors in addition to his usual household care of the force under him, I borrow a few items from his correspondence.  I borrow at random, the time being October, 1777, when the Commander-in-Chief is moving from place to place in northern New Jersey, watching the enemy and avoiding an engagement.  A letter comes from Richard Henry Lee, evidently intended to sound Washington, in regard to the appointment of General Conway to a high command in the American army.  Washington replies with corroding veracity.

[Matuchin Hill, 17 October, 1777.] If there is any truth in the report that Congress hath appointed ...  Brigadier Conway a Major-general in this army, it will be as unfortunate a measure as ever was adopted.  I may add, (and I think with truth) that it will give a fatal blow to the existence of the army.  Upon so interesting a subject, I must speak plain.  The duty I owe my country, the ardent desire I have to promote its true interests, and justice to individuals, requires this of me.  General Conway’s merit, then, as an officer, and his importance in this army, exists more in his imagination, than in reality.  For it is a maxim with him, to leave no service of his own untold, nor to want anything, which is to be obtained by importunity.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Ford, vi, 121.]

It does not appear that Lee fished for letters of introduction for himself or any of his friends after this experiment.  He needed no further proof that George Washington had the art of sending complete answers.[2]

[Footnote 2:  For the end of Conway and his cabal see post, 112, 113.]

On October 25, 1777, desertions being frequent among the officers and men, Washington issued this circular to Pulaski and Colonels of Horse: