The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-03-08
THE Young MARTYR.
LiFE soENE oF TIm
VOL UTION.
nv TnoMAk r. wuIrsEy,

possession Of New York, the following incil
dent illustrative Of the courage aud devotion
Of those engaged Ia the causo Of ludePon-
dnnce, occurred,
The tUmmandgrH-th thief Gt the American
forces sat alone in his apartment busily en-
gagged in examining the correspondence ~
the C0mmiftoo of Congress, liat had been
appointed 20 conier with Lord Howe, who
had recenuy arrived with ovcrturcs Of hu-
initiating nature from the mother country
The ting was early evening and a. twilight
fell upon the earth, the papers were laid mo-
mentarily aside, They conveyed a. linn the
intelligence that the overturcs OF the crown
had not been accepted, on the ground that
the crown refused 20 treat with America, ox-
'rrpt ~ the FORMER chhrictrr 0i rutuntvs sutI-
ordinate 10 the royal maudhtc, The war must
be continued
In the midst Of his reflections on the com
munications Just received Washington was
interrupted By the entrance Of an Aid-dr-
camp, who informed him that an officer for
whom lac had sent, waited without Ia answer
to his summons,
Inyte him to ms apartment, and lot us bo
uninterrupted said the General,
The Aid retired aud In few moments re-
turned, accompanied hy youth wearing the
uniform of a Captain IN the Continental Nal
tia. lie was an officer attached a. the Com
uccticut drait, ~ that time ouartered in the
city of New York. The Commandcr-iu-
Chief arose aud welcomed him warmly. Lights
were brought in, aud the youthful officer was
alone with the Father OF his country,
My young friend said Washington, Il
have sent for you ln confer ou a delicate sub
jcct There are few men, however, dcvot-
cd 10 the sacred cause IN which We are en-
gagged, with whom 1 can freely commune and
a whom kgpnlI lao npul.pI a.. ts.k..ul all
intentions. IL is sometimes difficult. sir, even
for the Commandcr-in-Chief To know who
are, and who are not enemies. There are
traitors even in my own household
i trust your EAeollcncy h,s no doubt ofmy
sincerity z Inquired the youth in q tone OF
pride.
NO, my friend, had doubted you, this in
tcryicw would not have occurred. he assur-
cd, that my solicitation of ttns visit, 10 the re-
suit OF an unboundcd confidence ia your at
tachmcnt To our eause.
/ The youth bowed and was silent
/ Are you aware continued the General
'or the result of the interview that has just
/ been held between the Committee appointe,l
! by the Continental Congress, aud Lord
I Howe 2
i am hot, your Evccllcncy'
This, then, will inform YOU said Wash
ington, placing letter in his hands.
The young officer glanced over the paper,
IL was signed BENJAMIN FnANKLiN.
i see, SIR said he, amer pcrlsing the sheet
faint smile lighting up his features rs ho
spokc,-l see, sir, that We must fight IL out
There Is now no hope that England will rec
agniza s4f l.-.t4sisAllit lriiheAl Lanlp pnlAian-
True Our reliance now Is only upon
God, aud the brave and faithful hcarts of our
countrymcn. But justice is on our side, and
with the blessing 0t Heaven, we shall succeed
| have sent tor you, my young friend, con
tnucd Washington, TO make known Ia you
I s0rIu Uf rtTC dTfiiJUtriUS UHdUF winch fnoW la
bor. You are aware that our troops have
been Just oyerpowcrcd by the vast force OF
General Howe, who is now enramped on the
heights at Brooklyn, The militia are sadly
discouraged, and their weakness, | regret a.
say, has extended TO the ranks of the regular
army Our. position here is critical. Howe
has force superior to my own, and by hi,
position commands the city--add TO this
the marine power OF his brother, whose ship,
now ride quietly at anchor in the bay, ready
at any moment To reduce our city Ia ashes
without amy means on our part to repel him
and YOU Will at once perceive how complete
{ ly we are at their mercy. My earnest desire
at PRESENTS to learn the Immediate intention
of General Howe, and his plan of operations
could obtain this iniormation | should
not despair of defeating them, even in our
present condition.
This information can be obtained, your
Exeellency,' replied his companion.
/ But how 2
Il will obtain it,
~YouY
] AT least | will do my best; and if fail,
exclaimed the young man. i call heaven tc
witness that tie fault shall not rest with
me =
DO you propose to perform this duty In
person. inquired the General in a solemn
tone.
I i do
1T is hazardous and delicate in the ex-
trcmc.'
f. And therefore the more necessary that
alone should enter upon it. | pray you, sir
give me leave to be your only confident in
this matter.
you have it. sir answered the Comman-
dcr-in- Chief, grasping the hand OF the officer;
yet TO lose you, and in such an employment
i
Fear not, sir-rely on my discretion, and,
with Gods help, l will obtain tile iniorma-
ton you desire
BE it as you wish, then. In half an hour
you shall hear from me at your quarters. and
recevG full Instructions Good nightr With
these words, and another earnest grasp of the
manu- tney parted,
When General Washington sent for this
officer TO attend his presence, il WAS not his
Intention to employ him in the capacity of a
spy. He knew the peculiar acuteness and
sngacity of the Connecticut people, which
were,evcn at that period as proverbial as now
and he supposed the young &aptain would be
best able TO select from his corps the person
most suitable for such task Desertions a.
ntong the militia were, unfortunately, at that
discouraging moment OF not nnfrrqucnt Oct
eurFenee, and IL was the iutcution or the Com
mandcr-in-Chief to select a discreet and in
telligent man, who by representing himself
as a descrter, could easily enter the camp of
the enemy, and cndcavor to gain tso inforna-
ton required Tho prompt offer or the Off
Ger to go himself upon the errand, somewhat
altered his plan and, while it gave increased
prospect of success, was also the cause of some
unpleasant misgiving. lie was also a young
man of fine qualities and great promise and,
in case ofnishap in the enterprise, Washing
Ton plainly saw that Tie loss Of such an officer