Conway Cabal

The Conway Cabal was an attempt by several individuals to engage in an intrigue to oust George Washington as Chief of the Army during the American Revolution. It has been called Conway's Cabal from the name of one of those most forward in it.

Background

Brigadier Thomas Conway was an officer of Washington's army. In October 1777 Washington heard that it was the intention of Congress to promote Conway to the rank of Major General. In response, Washington addressed a letter to one of the leading Members, Richard Henry Lee, representing that Conway was the youngest Brigadier in the service; that to put him over the heads of all the elder would offend them grievously; that Conway's merits existed in his own imagination more than in reality; and, finally, that Washington himself could not hope to be of any further service if such insuperable difficulties were thrown in his way.