It is certain that he would not have acted thus, had he thought that generalship was an important element in the problem; but he relied on a popular uprising, and not on the commander, to defeat Burgoyne.

He may have thought, too, that it was a mistake to relieve Schuyler, who was working in the directions which he had pointed out, and who, if not a great soldier, was a brave, high-minded, and sensible man, devoted to his chief and to the country.

It was Schuyler indeed who, by his persistent labor in breaking down bridges, tearing up roads, and felling trees, while he gathered men industriously in all directions, did more than any one else at that moment to prepare the way for an ultimate victory.
Whatever his feelings may have been in regard to the command of the northern department, Washington made no change in his own course after Gates had been appointed.

He knew that Gates was at least harmless, and not likely to block the natural course of events.

He therefore felt free to press his own policy without cessation, and without apprehension.