Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-29
From the Nev York .afias..
TIE sPY-HARVEY BIRCH.

Mr.. C0Oper's "Spy" has just been republished
in London. as the Sd No. Of the new series OF
Standard Novels of Colburn and Bentley. 1t is
furnished with a new preface by the author, in
which he sets the curious at defiance by stating
that none of the various suggestions as to the
original of Harvey Birch are correct. What Is
TO be Zone with the case of Enoch Crosby?
We annex Mr.. COoper's own account OF the
matter:-
''Mr. - had occasion to employ an agent
whose services differed but little from those OF a
common spy. This man, as will be easily under
stood. belonged to a condition IN life which rem
dered him the least reluctant to appear in so equi'
vocal a character. He was poor, ignorant, so
far as the usual instruction was concerned, but
cool, shrewd. and fearless by nature.-It was his
office to learn in what part of the country the
agents of the crown were making their secret ef-
forts to embody men-to repair to the place, en-
list, appear jealous in the cause he affected to
serve, aud otherwise to get possession Of as ina
ny OF the secrets of the enemy as rossible.-
These he of course communicated to his employ
ers, who took all the means in their power to cOun-
teract the plans of the English, and frequently
with great success. 1t will readily be conceived
that a service like this was attended with great
personal hazard. In addition to the danger Of
discovery. there was the daily risk Of falling in
to the hands of the Americans themselves, who
invariably visited sins of this nature more severe.
" on the natives of the country than OH the Eu-
ropeans who fell into their hands. In fact, the
agent of MIR. - was several times arrested by
the local authorities, and in one instance he was
actually condemned by his exasperated country
men to the galIows. Speedy and private orders
to his taller alone saved HIM form an ignOminiOus
death. He was permitted to escape; & this SEEM
ing, & indeed actual peril was Of great aid in sup
porting his assumed character among the English.
By the Americans, in his little sphere, he was
denounced as bold and inreterate Tory. In this
manner, he continued to serve his country in Sc.
cret during the early years of the struggle, hour
ly environed by danger, and the constant subject
of unmerited opprObrium. In the year -,
Mr.. --w was named to a high and honorable
employment at a European court. Before vacat-
ing his seat 10 Congress. he reported to that body
an outline Of the circumstances related, sup
pressing the name of his agent, from policy, and
demanding an appropriation in behalf Of a man
who had been at so great personal risk. A suit
able sum was voted, and its delivery was confid-
ed to the chairman of the secret committee
Mr.. --t took the necessary means to summon
his agent to a personal interview. They met in
a wood at midnight. Here Mr.. - compli-
mented his companion on his fidelity and adroit-
ness, explained the necessity OF their commune
cations being closed. and finally rendered the
The other drew back, and declined re-
ceiving it. The country has need of all its
he said; 'and as for myself, | can work,
or gain a livelihood in various ways Persua.
sion was useless, for patriotism was uppermost
in the heart of this remarkable individual; and
Mr.. - departed bearing with him the gold
he had brought, and a deep respect for the man
had so long hazarded his life, unrequited, |
the cause they served in common. The
is under an impression that, at a later day,
the agent of Mr.. --c consented to receive a
enumeration for what he had done, but 1t was
not until mis- country was entirely in a condition
to Destow it
Mr.. Cooper IS himself ignorant Of the sPy's
name.
s'Deighful Task!r'-S Statistics. John James
a schoolmaster, IN Saubia, keeps a regis
of all the pun~ishments he inActs on his scho-
.ars. This register contains the following entries
short time since-ss9,111,5 l7 blows with a rod,
g, O1O ola slight switch. 90, 989 siaps with a rule,
sc, us cuffs with his fist, 10, 255 c~allottes, Z,
Dos fllips, l., lis. 800 taps on the lead, and 49,
v6S additional tasks" There was besides an
of his having TT times made scholars 60 on
heir knees.