American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1827-03-16

lhe following dUeCdOle 1S quOteu from LHe new
Philadelphia Quarterly.
When the British army held possession of Phila-
Lelphia, Gen. Howe's headquarters were in Sec
nnd street the fourth door below Spruce, in house
which was before occupied by Gen. Cadwallader.
Directly opposite, resided William and Lydia Dar-
rah members of the society of Friends A supe-
rior officer Of the British Army, believed to be the
adiutant general fixed upon of their chambers
back room, for private conference; and two Of
them frequently met there. with fire and candles in
close consultation. About the Cd of December, the
adiutant general told Lsda that they would be in
tho room at O'Clock, and remain late; and that
they wished the family to retire early to beds add
ing that when they were going away they would
call her to let them out and extnguish their fire
and candles. She accordingly sent all the family
to bed but as the officer had been particular.
her curiosity was excited. She took off her shoes,
and put her ear to the KEY hole Of the conclave and
overheard an order read for all the British troops
ia march out late in the evening of the fourth, and
attack General Washington's army, then encamp-
ed at White Marsh. On hearing this she returned
to her chamber. and laid down. Soon after, the
officers knocked at the door. but she rose only at
the third summons, having fcigned herself asleep
Her mind was so much agitated. that from this mo-
ment she could neither eat nor sleep supposinglt
to be in her power to save the lives OF thousands OF
her fellow -countrymen; but not knowing how she
not daring to confde it to her husband. The time
left. however. was shcrt. She quickly determined
to make her way. as soon as possible, to the Amer-
can outposts She informed her family, that, as she
was N want of -four, she would go to Frankford for
some her husband insisted that she should take
the servant maid with her. but to his surprise she
positively refused She got access to Gen. Howe.
and solicited, what he readily granted, pass
through the British troops on the lines. Leaving
her baa at the mill, she fastened towards the Anne
can lines and encountered on her way an Amer-
can lieutenant colonel (Craig) of the light horse,
who, with some of his men. was on the lookout tor
inflammation. He knew her, and inquired where
she was going She answered, in quest OF her son,
an officer in the American army, and prayed the
colonel to aliaht and walk with her tie did SO,
ordering his troops to keep in sight To him she
disclosed her secret, after having obtained from
him solemn promise never to betray her ndividu-
alIy as her life might be at stake with the British
He conducted her to house near at hand, direct
ed something for her to eat, and hastened to head
quarters when he brought Gen. Washington ac'
auaintel with what he had heard. washington
! made, of course, all preparation Tor nafning the
meditated surprise. Lydia returned nome witf
her -four; sat up alone to watch the movemehL .
the British troops heard their footsteps but wher
they returned in few days after, did not dare tt
ask question: though solcitous to learn the event
! The next evening the Adjutant General came IN
). and requested her to walk up to his room as ht
wished to put some questions. She followed hin
in terror; and when he locked the door and begget
her, with an air of mystery, to be seated, she wa
i, sure that she was either suspected or had been be
i trayed. lie inquired earnestly whether any OF he
family were up the last night he and the other ON
IL cor met she told him that they all retired at eIgh
o'clock. He observed, g know you were asleep
far Knocked at your chamber door three times be
IS tore you heard am entirely at loss to INA
T;n,enIed attack unless the walls of the house cou
sneak. When we arrived near White Marsh, W
Tnnnd all their cannon mounted, and the troops pre-
pared to receive US, and we have marched bac
e like parcel of fools"
= The Scriptures are the most ancient OF any wr
r. ,inps extan, the language in which they are writ
ten is now no more, and has no. for two thousan
wears been in common use and there is not IN
ss Of that language now in being but what s contalne
. II ,he sacred books Dancan Forbes Works.