Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-24
FINN The BaAston Spa Gazette.

toasts were drunk, number oil patriouc Voiuh
teers were given, among others the names OF
Padding, Williams and Van Vert, the captors
of Andre, were mentioned IN grateiai remem-
brance-upon this, an old revolutionary soldier
proposed as a sentiment
The memory Of Fumer, Cory and PERKINS
who, by most gallant attempt, achieved at the
peril Of their lives, the capture OF that daring
traitor and spy, JOSEPH BETrY's.
The venerable Col. Ball. Presiden, of'he day,
then rose and begged leave to mention few
facts in relation to Be,tys, and his capture; and
as nearly as We car recolecl, the Substance was
as follows:
"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 a citizen oil Ballston, and
knowing him'to be bold, athletic and intelligent,
in an uncommon degree, was DESTROYS Of OBJ
tanning his services for my country, aud sue
ceeded in enlisting him with the command Of
sergeant; he was afterwards reduced to the
ranks, on account of some insolence 10 an Off
Ger; who, he said, had abused him without a
cause. Knowing his irritable and determined
spirit, and unwilling to lose him, procured
him sergeancy to the feet commanded by
Gen Arnold, afterwards the traitor) on Lake
Champain, in 70 Betvs was in that despe
rate fight which took place IN the latter part OF
that campaign between the British aud Ameri
can fleets on that lake, and being skiiul sea-
man, was Of signal service during the batle.
He fought until every commissioned officer on
board his vessel vas killed or wounded, and then
assumed command himself, and continued the
fight with such pckless courage, that General
Waterbury, who was second In command un-
der Arnold, perceiying the vessel was likely TO
sink, was Obliged to order Bet,ys and the rem
nant 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-tSe
crew mostly LiIleJ-Oeu. waterbury wounded,
and ONLY two officers left, the colors were struck
10 the enemy. General Waterbury afterwards
told nv father that he never saw nan behave
with such deliberate desperation as did Bettys,
and that the shrewd ness of his manage showed
that his conduct was not inferior TO his cou-
rage.
After this action Bettys went TO Canada
turned traitor to his country-received an en-
signs commission in the British arny-be-
came a spy, and proved himself most danger
Gus and subtle enemy. He was at length arrest
ed, tried, aud condemned TO be hung at West
Point. But the entreaties Of his aged parents,
and the solicitation of influential wings, indu-
ced General Washington to pardon him on
promise Of amendment-But il 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 occa'
sion TO remember the traitor, and 10 regret the
unfortunate leni,y they had caused to be shewn
him. He recruited soldiers for the King in the
very heart Of the country; he captured and car
ried of the most jealous and efficient wings,
and subjected them TO the greatest suffering;
an1 those against whom he bore particular NAL
ice, lost their dwellings by ERE, or their lives by
murder-and all this, whilst the British COM
manders KEEP, him in employ as most faithful
and snccessfuk messenger, and cunning and IN
telligeut spy. No fatigue wearicd his resol1-
ton; no distance was an obstacle 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 some
tunes even in the middle Of the day he was
prowling about, as if unconscious of any dan.
ger. He boldly proclaimed himself a despera-
do; that he carried his life in his hand, and was
as careless of il as he should be Of that Of 9TH
ers, should they undertake TO catch him; that
his liberty was guarded by his life, and whoev-
er should undertake to deprive him Of it must
expec. to mingle their blood with his. And it
was well understood, that what Beuys said,
Bet,ys meant; and as well ascer,ained, that
when he came among us to perpetrate his mis-
chiefs, that he generally brought with him a
baud of refugees, and concealed them in the
neighborhood, to assist him in the accomplish
ment Of his purposes.
Sill there were many who were resolved on
his apprehension, be he danger what il might,
and many Intellectual attempts were made Tor
that purpose, but he eludcd al their vigilance
until some time in the winter Of 81, 's2-when
a suspicious stranger was observed in the neigh
.borhood, on snow shoe !, and well armed Cory
and Perkins, on information from Fulmer, i'm
mediately armed themselves, together with Full
mer, and proceeded in pursuit-,hey traced him
by circuitOus Il act 10 the house OF tory--'hey
consulted moment, and then by sudden ef-
fort, bursting open the door, rushed in upon
him, and seized him before he had an opportu-
nifty of effec,ins any resistance. He was at his
meal, with his pistols lying on the table, and