Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-01-31
Fro,n the yMansseribs.
GEN. wAsHlNGroN's ESCAPE.

The name of Washington is dear 10
epery American. Distinguished, not
only for bravery aud intelligence, but
for the pdrest virtues which can adorn
the human heart, he has been venera'
ted in the memory OF distant nations,
aud lmnortsllzed by the blessings be
shed upon his country. He resembles
the orb OF day, lmplrting his twilight
long after ne has set, aud Inylsi0'y
dispensing his light and cheering
warmth to the world Cautious and
prudent, he was never surprised by
the most disheartenlng failures; nor
alarmed ialo compliance by tie most
undau1teh threats His eye could
penetrate the darkest designs; and his
nowers of invention enabied bin to
escape Tue most formidable stratIgems
The very means employed by the enc
my to incommode him, were frequent
Nv in his own hands, the instruments OF
their rain. A, dn iiius ration oil his
eagle eyed Caution, / wiIi briefly nar
rate his escape from Singular plot,
which | learned from the lip, OF a ven
cradle old man several years deceased
Wnen tt Amprlcan army ~as s;d.
toned at West Point, during the re-
voluiionary war, the Is lilsh head
nn,rters we're not many miles distant
on the Hudson; and each vas waiting,
like ,ht figures Oh a chess board, Iot
some favorable II Ovemeni TO discon.
cert and thwart the operations OF the
other. Scouting parties would engage
in frequent skirmlshes; aud wagons OF
provisions. Ammunition and clothing
would fall into The power OF those su
Derior In number and address On
one of these occasions, quantity oil
English uniform was seized 10y an A
uerican detachment; and several DO
table advantages Obtained by the latter
inspired the enemy with desire 10
vetai:ate About this time, while at
West Point, Gen Washing ON had an
intimate acquaintance, not far resld nj
from she army in who~s family ne
enjoyed the kIndest hospitality, AZ well
as relief from many ofthose sterner en-
gagements which harrassed his weary
mind AS every Circumstance was
food TO either army, visit like this 90
many miles from their camp, coul1
not escape the cognizance OF the Eng
lish, and TO possess prisoner Ike
George Washington, would tend, IN
their opinion, to shorten the period Of
the war. But the undertaking wa
diff cult: there were always advanced
guards to cover he A neliran Com
mander, and there was no mode %
discovering his visits, except by win
nng over sau1. 0ue of he family -
The friend whom the General visited
was once though TO have espoused The
interests Of the British; but ne had
taken Q decided stand in favor of A
merica, and though brave man, he
professed the strlctest neutrality, al
lodging as his reason-his years, aud
dependant firmly.
During the intimacy ofihe General it
was rumoured in the American army,
chat his friend had been seen often re
turning from The British camp Wash.
ington seemed to disregard the accoun,
for he never ceasedto visit the family,
and, apparently mingled as cordially
with the host, as if no suspicion had
crossed his mind Al length one day
as the General was taking leave. his
friend earnestly requested him to dine
with him the following afternoon,
emphatically named the hour of two,
as the moment of expecting him. He
reminded him Of the uncommon de
light which his intimacy conferred
begged him to lay aside every other
formality, and regard his house as his
home; and hinted that he feared the
General did not consoles it in thai,
light; as the guard that always accom-
panied him seemed TO indicate that he
was not visiting a friend. BY no
means, dear sirl' exclaimed the wor.
thy patriot; there is no man esteem
more than YOURSELF; and as IA proof of
the confidence which | rep0se in you,
/ will visit you alone tomorrow, and
j pledge my sacred word of honor
that moi a soldier shall accompany me.
pardon me, General cried the host;
sbut why SO serious on so r,fling a