The  Congress  had  ratified  the  agreement  of
Gates  that  they  should  depart,  on  giving  their
parole  not  to  serve  again  iu  arms  against  the
Americans.  Circumstances  soon  occurred  that
convinced  Washington  that  Burgoyue  aud  his
troops  intended  to  violate  the  agreement  at  the
first  opportunity,,  and  it  was  resolved  by  the
Congress  uot  to  allow  them  to  leave  the  coun-


CONVENTION  TROOPS


324


CONWAY


try  until  the  British  governmeut  sbould  ratify
the  terms  of  the  capitulatiou.  Here  was  a,  di-
leiiin\a.  That  goverumeiit  would  not  recognize
the  authority  uf  the  Congress  as  a  lawful  body;
so  the  trooj  3  were  allowed  to  remain  in  idleness
in  America  four  or  five  years.  Biirgoyne,  alone,
was  allowed  to  go  home  on  his  parole.  The
British  ministry  charged  the  Congress  with  ab-
solute perfidy ;  the  latter  retorted,  and  justified
their  acts  by  cliargiug  tlie  ministry  with  medi-
tated perfidy.  Owing  to  the  difliculty  of  finding
an  adequate  su]iply  of  food  for  the  captive  trooi>s
in  New  England,  the  Congress  finally  determiiie<l
to  send  them  to  Virginia.  Commissioners  sent
over,  in  the  spring  of  1778,  to  tender  a  scheme  of
reconciliation,  ofii'ered  a  ratification  of  tlie  con-
vention, signed  by  themselves;  but  Congress
would  recognize  no  authority  inferior  to  the
British  ministry  for  such  an  act.  Finally,  in
pursuance  of  a  resolution  of  Cougress  (Oct.  15,
1778),  the  whole  body  of  the  captives  (4000  in
number),  Engli.sh  and  German,  after  the  officers
had  signed  a  parole  of  honor  respecting  their


either  by  exchange  or  desertion.     Many  of  the
Germans  remained  in  America.
