Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-05-14

4sOdutJ5 'OtI iHaug Dv ld.llGN lSl1uQ BACK,
corporal. Fellow, | am general Clinton. II
you are the bearer Of papers to me, come forward
and deliver them. First resign your weapons.
The man advanced, gave up his pistols and
sword, and taking his passport, gave it 10 the
general, who, after gIancing at il, said
"lI is as thought. Follow me-"
CHAPTER III.
Accompanied by the other gentlemen, and fol.
lowed by the messenger, sir Henry Clinton led
the way to the apartment he had left, when, co.
sing the door, aud satisfying himself that he was
secure from interruption, he turned TO the man,
and demanded the letters of which he was the
bearer Unbucking his belt, he touched a con.
ceaed spring in the end of his empty scabbarl.
when the steel dropped 10 the ground. Taking
up he drew from ii three rolls Of thin Indian
paper addressed to "Sir Henry Clinton" and
gave them to him.
AtIer rapidly glancing over the contents, the
Brush general cnergetically struck the table
"GenlIcmen, II turns out as | anticipated. Nv
secret correspondence -. You mavleaye the
room, lrusty Jack Smilhson,' as see it is on the
back Of the letters. Ilol wilhoutthele. Mark
ham, take MIR. Smithson under your care till
want him again, and see that he neither leaves the
house, nor has communication with any one"
The captain Of the guard received his charge,
and retired
"ltis us thought" continued sir Henry Gin.
ton-"genera Arnold is my correspondents"
"Anod!' exclaimed the others, smultanc.
ousIy.
"Arno!d, and none othcr-and on this suppo.
s.tion have | so long kept upt the correspoad2nco.
We will now examine these letters. Here is one
endof5ed-'lmporant and strictly pryae.'-
Breaking the SAL he rapidly ran his eyes over
III his leaur2s, as he read, lighting up with ami
nation. Suddenly rising, he said with energy,
This affair has got to assume Il magnitude and
importance had not anticipated. This morn
ing genera. Arnold took tie command at Hes!
Point"
"At West Poinr!" repeated Rodney, with sur.
prise.
Then it is ours" said general Kuyphausnn,
shIverlng his glass on the board, in the ANNA.
lion Of the moment.
Listen to his proposal. H. makes me a d.
rect Offer to surrender himself, West Point, anI
It's dependencies, with all the military stores and
ProylSlon-caunon, vessels, and aotiIIas, in such
a manner as to contribute every advantage to his
MalosIy's arms, and the safety of our mon.-
Now, gentlemen, are we in the way to pluck the
fruit 50 long ripcning."
"Thcro is, indeed an opening for successful
operation, that claims our most ussiduous care"
said sir George Rodney. "Wcst Point appears
to me an object of such vast importance, that no
hazard or expense ought to be weigh d against it.
1t VIII give us control of the Hudson from the sea
10 lis source, facilitate our intercourse with The
northern army, aud b. Il barricrtothc intercourse
between New England and the States of New
Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania"
"And alsho, watts of equal mpouanshc," said
general kuyPhauscn; "it will terange de plan of
de kombncd armies ant vIeet Of de Fransh AM
dc Americans, in tcir konlempato attack on dis
city Of Nucye York."
"West Point must be ours, gentlemen" said
general Clinton decidedly. "From its peculiar
position and strength, il is the Gibraltar Of this
rebel country, and must be taken before we can
get permanent ioot-hold in America. Its pos.
session offers to us all the advantages you have
named. But on the ground alone of defeating
the projected attack on New York, it becomes us
to pursue any plan that will place it in our hands.
Not onIywlII It's capture serve 10 defeat the pro.
cct of acombned attack, but, by cutting off their
supplies, produce disatlccon, and, ultimately de-
'erton in the ranks Of the rebels, and excite dis
content among their French allies. 1t will be off
ncalcuIabIe advantage to the SERVICE and crown
he campaign with triumphant success. Let us
low see what further this raior-generu has to
say. lie is no stickler, but comes out with
clean breast Ho! here is the whole gist of the |
natter. Hear, gantlemen!" reading from the |
PAPER in his hand. 81 wish you 10 send some
'ne in your confidence, Il should prefer Major
Andre, and, indeed, do not desire to negotiate
With any one else, as deem him the most beit-
ing pcrson,) fully authorized by your house to
;onter with me, and the risks and profits of the
'o-pafmership may be clearly understood. A |
pecuIaIion might, at this Time, be made 10 some
advantage, with ready money!" Bah, this, then,
5 the way the wind blows"
"S3nl TO hlni, general, Won pag Of monies to py
Vest Point"
80 Arnold has a mercenary, as we'll as re.
'enge(uI motive in this treason" said Rodney.
With some surprise.
81 am told, his exravagant style of living has
involved him in irretrievabIe pccuniary embar-
assmcnts, that he has rasorted 10 shifts, as trus.
&c of public funds, that have laid him open to
suspicion, aud lost him the confidence of Con-
yress; the first intmadon Of the dispoasuro Of
which, was conveyed TO him by the promotion of
i've major generals over his head. A brave off.
'cr, he certainly is: but no excess Of physical /
'ouraga can atone for the want of moral princi
'le, of which he seems entirely destitute. He is
proud, yaln' hasy Of speech, with many private
lces' which he has vainIy hoped to gloss over
y brlIIlancy Of his military career In this he
las boen unsuccessful, and his elevated rank, on
makes tho moro conspicuous the mans pr.