Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1851-11-12

pllcatIon in behalf Of his suffering country
men.
A tear of sympathy gushed from the grey
eye of the royalist, but as he dashed aside
the fallen drop, the brave warrior arose from
his knees, and was slowly vending his way
towards the spot where his steed was Sc
cured when another figure from an opposite
direction suddenly hove in sight, and halt
ing stood in the path of the American COM
mander-in-chief
In an instant the hand of Washington
clasped his sword hill, and he would have
drawn the blade from its scabbard, but the
man who confronted him motioned him in
kindness, and the warrior stood in his tracks
Drawing himself up TO his height he gazed
for moment in the face of the other, and
evidently recognizing him, he exclaimed
with evident surprise
"Sir William Howen'
'"The same-and by favor Of his Majesty,
commander-in-chief of the British forces in
the colonies"
"The toll Of an unwise sovereign who
rolls in splendid extravaganza and ease,
while the poor coloniss who should have
been the subjects Of bis especial regard, are
starving throughout the land," quickly add
ed Washington.
"a truce to this, sir" replied the British
General quickly. "IIis Majesty seeks to
put an end to the contention and strife that
unfortunately have existed too long here.
You speak truly" exclaimed Washing
ton, inlerruplng The General, and deeply in
teres,ed in bis words
"On my honor, sir, the King would see
this conflict speedily terminated, and but
repeat his words when say that he looks
to Washington for the resul-so desirable
to the colonies and mother land"
The American General advanced towards
Sir William Howe-he looked into his eyes
he measured his form-and.a a s'thsp1c1on
sE ssER}aaitsnnPsrftyy thrust themselves upon the
mind Of The sagacions warrior.
What means these words ol encourage
ment? Was Sir William Howe insane p
How came he there, in the forest, a. so op-
perfume a moment? The Kings British
General, these assurances, this strange meet
ing--wha. BODIED all this mystery But IN
his hand Sir William held roll or parch-
men,, and again he pressed upon the Amer-
can Generals notice the kind intentions OF
his noble sovereign King George.
When with nervous movement, as II he
dsrusted the foul act himself, Sir William
raised the pure white scroll, and gazing III
ten,ly into The face of Washington he moved
the outer cover of,he parchment slowly, and
with evident emotion said:
You may end these hosliIi'ies, slr-you
may confer permanent peace upon this
portion of his majesty's domlnions-you
NAV crush the turbulence which has shown
itself in these colones-you may acquire
lasting name for yourself-if you accept the
overlures which am authorized t" make
from the King. Behold his signature )" ad-
ded the general, as he exposed the contents
of the parchment, and the eye Of Washing
ton fell upon The prefer Of his majesty, King
George, to the Commander-in-chef of the
American army.
For an instant film seemed TO pass over
his sight as gazed upon the guided docu-
ment bearing the sign manual and broad seal
Of the King upon its face and the Amerl-
can general passed his hand TO his brow, Tor
he could scarcely believe himself awake
But the pang was momen.ary, and instantly
recovering, he found the document IN his
own hands upon which he read the words:
"I'o our be7oued Seruant, Duke George
Washington, Mount Ternon"
He started back, groan burst from his
lips, and the next moment the parchment
was torn into hundred sherds and lay be.
meath the American warriors feet.
I viii ca1
Sir William Howe,' exclaimed the gallan
Washington, con,emp,uously, as he stamp
ed the fragments in the dus, beneath his eel
and the British General quickly gave way
fbefoIe the excited, insulted man, whom he
feared, as the latter moved forward 10 the
outer verge Of the wood.
"Ihis may be my answer to your wicked
master. The blood Of a thousand martyrs
in the cause Of Geedom-each one Of whom
were more worthy than royal leader-cal
upon The living to avenge the ead!-the
memory of Concord, Lexington, Bunker Hi
and Brandywine, are fresh in our hearts, anL
we defy your cruel masters power or his
arts. And for myself crave no higher Title
than that of a patriot-I seek no other
reward but that which find in The con
sciousness Of performing my utmost IN the
noble cause Of freedom.
"On your head be The consequence OF Tins
con,umely," said the English General be-
tween his teeth, as he turned away. With
in five minutes Washington had mounted his
steed and was quickly out of sight.
The aged man who lay concealed beyond
an unsus pected, bu, deeply interested spec
,nI his
quiet home an altered man.
u, Lo mo, C,oroe Wash;nutnnn he sat