After his departure the cabal, of which he seemed to be the centre, died.
[Footnote 1: Sparks, 254.] The story of this cabal is still shrouded in mystery.

Whoever had the original papers either destroyed them or left them with some one who deposited them in a secret place where they have been forgotten.
Persons of importance, perhaps of even greater importance than some of those who are known, would naturally do their utmost to prevent being found out.
Two other enemies of Washington had unsavory reputations in their dealings with him.

One of these was General Horatio Gates, who was known as ambitious to be made head of the American army in place of Washington.

Gates won the Battle of Saratoga at which Burgoyne surrendered his British army.

Washington at that time was struggling to keep his army in the Highlands, where he could watch the other British forces.