Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-11-03
.Jnelno!r8:
From the lite Of Richard II. Lee, by his son.
REVOLUTIONARY ANECDOTE.

From the lite Of Richard II. Lee, by his son.
REVOLUTIONARY ANECDoTE.
The reader knows that in the year
1873, treaty OF alliance had been
so, med between France and the Uni.
ted States; and that feet under the
command of the count d'Eslaing, had
arrived on the coast In the early part
oil August, of that year, French snip
of war bearing dispatches to congress,
and ordered TO put into Norfolk, in
Virginia, was chased by some British
ships, as far UP the Potomec, as the
county OF Wcstmorlaad. The name
aud character of Mr. Lee were pre-.
viously known 10 the commander of
the ship, or learned perhaps, frori in.
tercourse with the shore. SO it was,
that all the papers OF Importance were
delivered to him by the commander,
who, accompanied by the principal of.
ficers OF the ship, waited on Mr.. Lee
Upon conference with them, he OBJ
tanned sufficient Information respecting
the dispatches, 10 perceive their great
interest, and the propriety OF as early
"a conveyance Of them as possible TO
congress. The danger of travelling
'tdirectly towards Philadelphia, eSpe-
Zcially without some very apparent, or
easily explained motive, was great,
both on the roads in the interior of the
states through which the traveller must
pass. aud along the roads on the coasts
Theenemy's ships had taken possession
Hofthe chesapeake Bay, and often came
up the Potomac river as high as Alex
andria.
Z Mr.. Lee continuing too feeble to re.
suru TO Philadelphia, was obliged to
look for some person, whose courage
and fidelity could be relied on, and
Sand whose inte .igence and in.
sgenuity would enable him. 10 evade
inquiries, and TO take advantage of e.
very means ADD opportunity of a safe
and speedy arrival IN Philadelphia -
He was for some time in considerable
difficulty, in fixing en- person in c.
very point fitted for the trip. He, at
first, endeavoured to find such a per-
son among men of mature age. But,
although he could find many whose
love and fidelity to their country could
be trusted, yet. they were ia other
respects unqualified for the Grand
He al length recollected young maR*
of his neighborhood, about eighteen or
nineteen years OF age. whose adven.u-
Tous spirit and intelligence fitted him
for any enterprise. The moment this
youth occurred to his mind, he sent for
him, and having by general remarks
and inquiries, ascertained that he would
undertake any thing for bis country,
he revealed to him the real service he
required othm. The promptitude and
pleasure which the youth evinced at the
idea OF serving his country, convinced
MIR. Lee that he had met with one IN
every respect suited to the OCCASION
Having instructed him TO proceed with
all possible despatch and secrecy to
Philadelphia, and deliver the papers
TO the president of congress alone, and
having planned with him the route
and manner of his journey, he sewed
the papers in different parts of his
dress, so as to render ltimperccptible
that he had any thing about him
The young man having always liv,
ed on the water courses, was very
sklliul in the management of small
vessels. He accordingly provided
himself with a small boat, and in the
dlmness eftwiIight, without returning
to his home, proceeded to the river,
accompanied by Mr. lee; and after
receiving much encouragement and
many warm commentators from him,
he pushed off, alone. In bis boat he
passed schooner and two tenders of
the enemy, during the night, and as
soon as the day dawned ne came a
shore, and travelled on foot, avoiding
as much as possible the public roads
He frequently lay in the woods, dur
ing the day, suffering severely from
hunger and thirst, and travelling do
ring the night Having been long
time wlhor; any thing to eat, and fad
ing himself near small town at the
head oftbe Chesapeake Bay, he de
termined TO 20 into it and procure re
f.eshment ~ some obscure iun Hav-
iug 'uuud one M which he thought he
-, nm Vas Brquvt. Who lived and died
respected IA LeeaOurg. Virginia.