American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-05-04
From the Baitsion-Spa Gazette.
THE NOTORIOUS "JOE BETTYS."

t0n as noticed III our last, after the regular t0asts
were drunk, number of patriotic volunteers were
given, among others the names Of Paulding, Will
liams and Van Vert the captors Of Andre, were
mentioned in grateful remembrance-upon this, an
old revolutionary soldier proposed as sentiment,
The memory Of Fulmer, Cory, and Perkins-who. by a
most gallant attempt, achieved at the peril Of their lives
the capture Of that daring traitor and spy. Joseph Beys
| The venerable Col. Ball, President of the Day,
then rose and begged leave to mention few facts
in relation to Bettys and his capture. and as near
~ as we can recolect, the substance was as fol-
lows:
During the war of the Revolution, was an
officer in the regiment of New York forces, COM
manded by Col. Wynkoop. Being acquainted
with Bettys, who was citizen of Ballston, and
knowing him to be bold, athletic and intelligent,
in an uncommon degree, was DESTROYS of obtain
ing his services for my country, and succeeded in
enlisting him with the command of sergeant; he
was afterwards reduced to the ranks on account of
some insolence to officer, who he said had abused
him without cause Knowing his irritable and
determined spirit, and unwilling to lose him,
died by Gen. Arnold, afterwards the traitor) on
Lake Champlain in '76. Bettys was in that des-
perate fight which took place in the latter part of
that campaign, between the British and American
fleets, on that lake, and being skilfu seaman,
of signal service during the BATTLE lie fought
until every commissioned officer on board his ves-
sci was killed or wounded, and then assumed com
mapd himself, and continued the fight with such
reckless courage that Gen. Waterbury, who was
second in command under Arnold, perceying the
vessel was likely to sink, was obliged to order
Bettys and the remnant of the crew on board his
own vessel. and having noticed his extraordinary
bravery and conduct, he stationed him on the
quarter deck by his side, and gave orders through
him, until the vessel becoming altogether crippled
the crew mostly klled-Gen W a'erEurv wound
ed. and only two officers left the colors were
struck to the enemy. Gen. Waterbury afterwards
told my father that he never saw man behave
with such deliberate desperation, as did Bettys;
and that the shrewdness of his management showed
his conduct was not inferior to his courage.
After this action, Bettyswent to Canada--turncd
traitor to his country-received an ensign's COM
mission in the British army--became spy, and
proved himself most dangerous and subtle enc
my He was at length arrested-trie.l, and con-
Gemned to be hung at West Point Eut the en-
treaties of his aged PARENTS and the solicitation Of
influential wings, induced Gen. Washington to
pardon him promise of amendment But it was
in vain. The generosity OF the act only added
rancor to his hatred, and the wings Of this section
Of the country, especially of Ballston, had deep
occasion to remember the traitor. and to regret
the unfortunate lenity they had caused to he shown
him. He recruited soldiers for the King in the
ried off the most jealous and efficient wings, and
subjected them to the greatest suffering and those
against whom he bore particular malice lost their
dwellings by fire, their lives BY murer-and all
this, whilst the British commanders kept him in
employ as most faithful and successful messen-
ger, and cunning and intelligent spy. No fatigue
Wearied his res0utiOn-no distance was an obata-
Gle to his purpose, and no danger appalled, his
| courage. No one felt secure; sometimes in the
darkness Of the night he came by stealth upon US,
and sometimes even in the middle of the day he
was prowlng about, as if unconscious of any dam
ger. He boldly proclaimed himself desperate;
that he carried his life in his hand and was as care
less of it he should be of that Of others, should
they undertake to catch him--that his liberty was
guarded by his life, and whoever should undertake
| to deprive him of it must expect to mingle their
blood with his. And it was well understood that
what Bettys said, Bettys meant-and as well as
certained that when he came among US to perpe-
trate his mischiefs. that he generally brought with
him band of refugees, and concealed them in the
neighborhood, to assist him in the accomplishment
Of his purposes.
| Still there were many who resolved on his
apprehension, be the danger what it might, and
many Intellectual attempts were made for that pur-
pose, but he eluded all their vigilance until some
| time in the winter of '81, 's2-when a suspicious
stranger was observed in the neghborhood, on
snow shoes, and we'll armed. Cory and Perkins.
on information from Fulmer. Immediately armed
themselves, together with Fu.mer and proceeded
in pursut-they traced him BY circutious track to
the house of tory they consulted moment, and
then by sudden effort, bursting open the door.
rushed in upon him. and seized him before he had
an opportunity Of eAecting any resistance. He
was at his NEAL with his pistols lying on the ia
BILE. and his rifle resting OH his arm he made an
attempt to discharge the latter but not having
ken the precaution to undo the deerskin that
was over the lock, did not succeed. He was then
pinioned so firmly, that to resist was useless-and
TO escape impossible. And the notorious BettYs.