Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-07

for which he was rewaEed by an ap-
proving conscience, the patronage of
Presidents Washington and Jefferson,
and the following credentials from the
hand of the first man in the world:
"Allen M'Lane, Esq. was appointed
captain in one of the additional con-
tinental regiments of foot, in Janua-
ry, l777, and by his activity and indus
try, soon joined the army with a full
company. commanded a party of OBJ
servation, under my instructions, until
July, l779, when he was annexed, by
resolution of the honorable CONT
mental congress, to Major Lees legion
to command tine dismounted. From
the certificates of which Major
M'Lane possessed, it appears that he
was very early active in the cause OF
his country; and from the time OF his
Joining the continental army can
testify that he has distinguished him
self highly as a brave and enterprising
officer.
"Previous to the siege Of York, he
was employed to watch the movements
of the British army at or near New
York, as well as in Virginia, and ne
was entrusted with dispatches OF the
first importance to his excellency
Count de Grasse, which commission
he executed with great CELEBRITY, and
was afterwards very serviceable IN
accommodating and bringing intelli-
gence of the strength and disposition
Of the British army.
"Given under my hand and seal, at
Rocky Hill, near Princeton, Nov. 4th
1892.
GEO. WASHINGTON.
The following anecdote of this par
tizan officer for audacity and presence
of mind has been seldom equalled, and
cannot be surpassed, nor should it be
forgotten:
On the 9th of June, l77s, after day
break, captain M'Lane, with two dra-
goons, was moving on the Bustletown
road, toward Frankford, and near that
village, fell into an ambuscade Of in
fantry, who fired on him, and forced
him into the fed on the right toward
the Oxford road where he discovered
a party of British dragons galloping
toward him. To silence the fire Of the
infantry, he placed himself between
them and the dragons, and approach
ed the latter until within 90 PAGES,
when he suddenly wheeled to the right,
passed them, and gained the Oxford
road. Two dragons were detached
in pursuit of him, and, to escape them,
he turned off the road to his left, and
pushed for branch in his front which
he crossed, and was ascending the op-
posite height, when the dragons came
up on his right and left, and, believing
he had surrendered, dropped their
swords to the straps. M'Lane had a
pistol in his right hand, with which
he fired into the right breast OF the
dragoon on his left, who fell: he at
the same time, seized the tassel OF the
dragoon's sword on his right, and
struck him with his pistol back-hand-
ed blow across his nose, which he re-
peated until he disabled and brought
him to the pummel Of his saddle, and
then rode off with wound on his left
hand, which he received as the dra-
COON attempted to draw his sword,
the tassels Of which he had seized
On this occasion, the Marquis de la
Fayette, wrote him the following letter:
Nalsy Forge, 18th June, l77S.
"DEAR SIR-I have received yours
concerning the Indians, and will men
ton your desire TO his excellency, and
make no doubt, but that he will send
them to Join you, as soon as the enemy
take up their intended march through h
the Jerseys; the indians will do well
with you in the pines, l give you Joy
for your escape from the British am
buscade, and the clevernesS with which
you have despatched the MIR. English
dragons; have felt great pleasure in
hearing that your wound is slight
one.
"With the most sincere esteem and
attachment, l have the honor to be,
dear sir, your most obedient servant,
LAFAYETTE"
From the London NeW Monthly Magazine
INDUSTRIOUS EXAMPLE OF GRATITUDE.
A young man was passing with his
regiment through Lyons, in l7-,where
he fell sick, and was obliged to remain
at an hotel. He was very i'll supplied
with money, his purse was speedily
exhausted by the expense his malady
occasioned him; his hostess, untouched
BY his destitute situation, had him car
ried into granary, where all the furni-
ture she allowed him was a palliasse
and a chair, and all the sustenance, a
little barley-water; refusing to call in
the aid of physician, to avoid the re,
sponsibiIity in which she apprehended
- 49, ,JJ;t;opol charpe might IN.