Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-12
From the London .2iheaeum.
NARROW ESCAPE OF PRINCE VIII
LIAM IN AMERICA.

pubilc), Tor capturing frlnce william Henry,
his present Majesty, during his stay at New
York in 1889; with the original Letters OF Gle.
neral Washington.
TThe extraordinary interest of the following
Historical Anecdote, has induced us to deviate
from established custom, and to give it prece-
dence of all other papers. 1t must be mem
bered that, wild as the project may seem, 1t was
sanctioned by the cool deliberate Judgment Of
Washington; and it cannot, therefore, be doubt.
ed, that his Royal Hishness was, for a time, in a
situation Of great though unknown danger. We
leave it to our readers to speculate on the posi-.
bic consequences, had the plan succeeded.
When his present Majesty, William ~. serv-
ed as a midshipman in the British Navy, he was
Cor some time on the coast of the colonies, then
in a state of revolution, and passed the winter Of
1852 in the city OK New York. He is still borne
in lively recollection by many Of the elder inha-
bitants Of that city, as a 6ne bluff boy Of sixteen;
frank, CHEEKY, and affable; and there are anec-
,iotes still told of his frolicsome pranks on ship
board. Among these, is the story of 4 rough,
shough f~avorite, nautical joke, which he played
of upon a sailor boy, in putting down his ham
mock while asleep. Ihe sturdy sea urchin re-
scented this invasion of his repOse; and, not know
iny the quality Of his invader, a regular set-to OF
fisty-cuffs ensued in the dark. In this, it is said.
the Prince showed great bottom; and equal ge-
Necessity on the following morning, when he made
the boy a handsome present of money. His con-
duct in this boyish affair is said TO have gained
him the hearts Of all his shipmates.
The Prince manifested, when on shore, a de-
cided fondness Of manly ~pastimes. One of his
favorite resorts was a small fresh water lake in
the vicinity of the city, which presented a fro
zen sheet Of many acres, and was thronged by
the younger part of the population for the amuse.
A H. D.,n,n ,,ao ,,eEtllnI
= IN that exercise. he would sit in a chair fixed on
runners, which was pushed forward with great
velocity by a skating attendant, while a crowd of
= officers en,iroaed him. and the youthful multi
tude made the air ring with their shouts for Prince
William Henry. 1t was an ahimating scene, in
the bright sunny winter days, so common IN that
climate, and probably still retains a place in his
Maiesty's memory.
While the Prince was thus ENJOYING himself in
the city of New York, a daring plan was formed,
by some adventurous partizans of the revolution
ary army, to pounce upon him and carry him OIL
from the very midst of his friends and guards
The deviser of this plan was Col. Ogden, a gal
liant officer, who had served with great bravery
in the revolutionary army from the very COM
nencement of the war, and whose regiment at
that time was stationed in the province NOW state)
of New Jersey.
The present statement is drawn up from docu-
ments still preserved by the family of Col Ogden,
a COPY Of which has been obtained from one Of
mis- sons. TIE Prince at the time was living on
shore with Admiral nigbv, in quarters slightly
Guarded, more for form than security, no part'cu-
lar danger being apprehended, The project of
Col. Ogden was to land secretly on a stormy night,
with a small but resolute force. to surprise and
carry of the Prince and the Admiral to the boats.
and TO make for the Jersey shore. The plan was
submitted to General Washington, who sanction
ed it, under the idea that the possession OF the
person of the Prince would facilitate an adjust
inent of affairs with the mother country. and a
recognition of the United States as an indepen-
dent nation.
The following is a copy OF the letter OF Gene
raj Washington To Col. Ogden on the occasion.
The whole Of the original is in the hand writing
of the General:-
To COL Ogden of The lat Jersey Regiment.
ssSir,-The spirit of enterprise 50 conspicuous
in your plan for surprising in their quarters. and
bringing of, the Prince William Henry and Adj
mira Disby, merits applause. and you have my
authority to make the attempt in any manner aud
At sucb a time as your Judgment shall direct.
81 am fully persuaded, that it is unnecessary
IN canton YOU against offering insult or indignity
70 the persons of the Prince or Admiral, should
Won be so fortunate as to capture them; but 1t
NAV not be amiss to press the propriety OF a pro-
Der line Of conduct upon the party you
..In case Of success, you will. as soon as you
get them to a place Of safety, treat them with all
ooss,ble respect; but you are to delay no time IN
conveying them to Congress. and reporting your
proceedings, with a copy eff these orders.
"Giyen at Morris Town. this asth day OF
March, 1889. "G. WASHINGTON"
.i Note-Take care not to touch upon the
oround which is agreed to be neutral-viz. from
R.way to Newark, and four miles back"
Before relating the particulars Of this plan, it
NAV he expedient to state, that the CITY Of New
Yoyk is situated on the point Of an island which
advances into the centre Of a caPacious bay. A
a.rrow arm of the sea, vulgarly called the East
River River. separates it on the left from Long or Mas;
am Island; and the Hudson, commonly called
the North River, separates it from New Jersey.