Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-04-27

The editor of the New York Commercial Al
vertiser gives has,y biographical sketch or he
late General John Armstrong, who died a few
days srnce near The city Of New York
Gen. A. was q native ofsPennsylvania. He
was an efhcer 10 the Rsvolaiionary Army, and
wasan AID 81 General. Mercer He first Idislin-
guished himself hy lhe authorship Of he "a
nous & Newburg Letters (which as The army
| was about 10 Be dissolved without payment 10
the officers, called upon the whole 10 hold them
eslogetheras an army, aud demand par
ment Of Congress,
II will be Tecollected that the first Of these lei
tiers caused Washington great nneasiness, q
raised a storm which was moi 10 besmet at once.
He therefore alluded 10 the letter, and the propc-
slion, in his rext general order. Ano her jet
ter came with decreased severity. Washington
addressed the officers and they ifmiled their &C.
lion 10 respectful application to Congress. The
Commercial adds Ihe following.
In this connection we will repeat an
incident once related to us by the late
Major Fairlie, of This city The Major
was Lieutenant III the Revolutionary Ar.
my at the close Of The war "a young man
full OF spirit add enthusiasm, and readv
for adventure. He bad thoughilessly been
induced 10 embark 10 the project Of Arm
strong, and was accustomed 10 m iet 10 con-
claye with the. officers who bad been SCI
duced TO join tie cons sfrscy-noth however
that they thought itsxactly such. but only
combination of patriotic men. 10 obtain
their rights-to dehand that Justice 10
which they were entitled at the hands Of
country they had. been serving SO faith.
fully and so long. The last meeting Of the
conspirators, according 10 the Majors re-
lation, was broken UP in most unexpec /
ted manner. and under circumstances
which effecluaiy prevented their ever
converting again. They were assembled
10 the night, thirty or forty 'of ihem-ar.
dent, hot-headed young .men--in place,
as they supposed 81 perfect secrecy, and
without the Knowledge IS they imagined
Of any who were not 10 the plot There
they were, in along room. as snug as so
many mice il p cheese, maturing their
plans, and not doubling Of their success.
when suddenly their door opened, and in
sialked The majestic form Of Washington !!
He walked directly through the room
with solemn visage and lofty tread gIanc-
ing bis eyes athhe conspirators on either
hand, until be reached The head of the
room, when be turned round, and gave
them look Of mingled sorrow and indig
ration, which went 10 their Utmost souls.
Never, said the Major 10 Us. have seen
such look and never did sci Of fel-
sak f "a s Ipaage s5I thaa We did They
be added, never knew how got away |! "
General Armstrong. distinguished himself as a
Mi8ister at Paris, buthe lost nearly all his cred
il by the loss Of Washington City, when he was
Secretary Of War, = where be was charged with
totallneglect Of means 10 defend the Capitol Of
the nation, even aferIhe had been earnestly So
Iicted TO sapply lhoss means. That was the
end of Gen. Armstrong; public career. He APP
peared 10 lose no opportunity to assail, and he
was vigorous wrilerl-evidently more skilled
in the theofY, thaa n practice of war understands
ing better what an officer should do, than how
TO do il himself. ~. $. GrzeH..