The herald., 1837-02-25

THE ROMANCE OF MISS MoNcRI Eff" From the
year 1880 until the year 1895, Mrs Margaret Coghlan
made no nconsderabe noise IN the court and iashon-
able circles of Great Britain and France. She was
the theme of conversation among the lords, and the
dukes, and the M. P.s. Having become the victlm
in early life Of licentioHs dissoute and extravagan
conduct alternately she was reveing in wealth and
then sunken in poverty At length, IN l793 she pub
Ilshed her own memoirs Mrs Coshlan was the
daughter of Major Moncreti OF the British army lie
was ord Corvallis brigade major Her father had
three wives-she daughter of the first WIFE
His second wife Miss Lt+*+++, of New York.
and his third wife Miss J++t+tt+ Of New York. Mrs.
Coqhlan is introduced here, because her early history
is intimately connected with the subject OF these me-
moirs. -
Jersey. Her father was with Lord Percy on otaten
Island In her memoirs, speaking OF herself she
says-sThus destitute of friends, wrote to General
Putnam who instantly answered my letter, by very
kind invitation his house, assuring me that he re-
speced my father and was only ms ms enemy N the
any part of his family, might always command his
services On the next day ne sent Colonel Webb, one
of his ad-de-camps, to conduct me to New YORK.
When arrived in the Broadway "a street called)
where General Putnam resided, l was received with
great tenderness both by Mrs. Putnam and her
daughters; and on the following day was introdu-
ced by them to General and Mrs. Washington, who
likewise made it their study to show me every mark
of regard; but seldom was allowed TO be alone al
though sometimes indeed, found an opportunity to
escape to the gallery the top OF the house, where
fleet and army at Staten Island. My amusements
were few; the good Mrs. Putnam employed me and
her daughters constantly to spin max Tor shirts TOR he
American soldiers in Amerlca being totally
discouraged; and likewise worked some for General
Putnam who though not an accomplished muscadin,
like our dictant of st. James street, was certainly
one of the best charace in the word his heart be-
ing composed OF those noble materials which equally
command respect and admiration.
"sNot long after this circumstance, flag OF truce
arrived from Staten Island, with letters from MAJOR
Moncrieffe demanding me; for he now considered
me prisoner. General Washington would not
auesce in this demand, saying that should remain
hostage for my fathers good behaviour. must here
observe, that when General Washington refused to
deliver me up, the noble minded Putnam, as lift were
by instinct, laid his hand on his sword, and with
violent oath swore that my fathers request should be
granted. The commander-in-chlef, whose influence
governed Congress, soon prevailed on them to con-
sider me as q person whose situation required their
strict attention.; and that might not escape, they
dered me TO Kngsbrdge, where in justice must say,
was treated with the utmost tenderness. General
Milflin there commanded. His lady was most ac
complished, beautiful woman, Quaker, DC.
I" Mrs Csghlan then burst forth in expressions of
rapture for a young American officer with whom she
had become enamoured. She does not name him
but that officer was Major Burr. May these pages
lshe says) one day meet the eye of him who subdued
my virgin heart. 10 him plghted
my virgin vow With this conqueror of
my soul, how happy should now have been What
storms and tempess should have avoided (at least
am pleased think SOY if had been allowed to fol-
low the bent of my inclnations. Ten thousand times
happier should have been with him in the widest
desert of native country the woods affording us
only shelter, and their fruits our only repast than
under the canopy of costly state with all the refine
mens of courts, with the royal warrior the Duke of
York; who would fain have proved himself the
queror of Fraace. My conqueror was engaged in
another cause; he was ambitious TO obtain other lau
rels. He fought TO liberatc not enslave nations He
wa, a Colonel in the American Army, and high in
the estimation of his country. His victories were
II .v.sa .l.v,s,..
thought. They shone as bright as the cause which
achieved them"
aThe letter from General Putnam, Of which Mrs.
Coghlan speaks 10 found among the papers Of Colonel
Burr.
"This letter is in the handwriting Of Major Burr,
and undoubtedly was prepared by him for the sigma
sture Of the General. MISS Moncrieffe was, at this
time in her fourteenth year. She had travelled and
for enc of her age had mingled much in the world
She was accomplished and considered handsome
Major Burr was attracted by her spnghtlness and
vvacty, and she, according 10 her own confessions
penned nearly twenty years afterward, had not only
become violently in love WITH but had acknowledged
the fact to him. Whether the foundation other future
msfornnes laid II is not necessary TO inquire.
Her ndiscretion was evident, while MAJOR Burrs pro-
pensity for intrigue was already well known
:" Burr perceived Immediately that she was an ex-
fraordinary young woman. Eccentric and volatile
but endowed with talents, natural well as acquired
of peculiar character. Residing in the family Of
General Putnam with her. and enjoying the opporuni-
~ Of close and intimate intercourse all tunes and
on all OCCASIONS he was enabled 10 Judge of her qua
fcations and came to the conclusion notwithstand-
ing her youth that she well calculated for spy
and thought il not improbable that she might be en-
poyed in that capacity by the British Major Burr
suggested his suspicious to General Putnam and re-
commended that she be conveyed to her friends as
soon as il might be convenient. She was in conse-
nucnce, soon after removed TO Kngsbrldge, where
General Afiin commanded. This change OF situa-
tion in the work which she has published ascrbed
20 General Wsahngton, but it originated with Major
Burr
after short residence at Kingsbridge, leave was
granted for her departure to Staten Island She ac-
cordngly set of a continental barge under the es-
cortof an American officer, who was ordered TO ac-
company her to the British ead-qiariers. As the
boat approached the English fleet, she was met by
another, having board a British officer and was
notified that she could proceed no further but that the
kings officer would take charge of tho Young ladv
and convey her in safety her father who was six or
eight miles in the country with Lord Percy Shesavs
i'm her memoirs, then entered the British barge and
bidding an eternal farewell to my dear American
friends, turned my back on h5crfy'
"Miss Moncreile, before she had reached her four
centh year. was probably the victim of seductiop-
The language of her memoirs, when taken in connec-
ton with her department soon after her marriage
leaves but little room for doubt, MAJOR Burr while
yet college had required reputation for gaantry
On this point he excessively vain, an regardless
cf all those ties which ought TO control an honorable
mind. In his intercourse with females he was un-
.IMln txl ..ltn.x .xf.a r