Litchfield enquirer., 1852-03-18

Iu the summer and autumn of 1777, while Sir Wm. Howe with fleet and part of the royal army were lying at New York, General Burgoyne with his army were advancing from Canada to- wards Albany.
 The object and design of the enemy were to possess themselves of Lake Champlain, with the whole of the Hud- son, and thereby to cut off all intercourse and communication between the eastern and Southern states. For the purpose of watching the motions and annoying g the operations of the hostile armies. Gen. eral Washington had directed small bodies of troops to be stationed at Fish kill, Redhook, Greenbush, and several other places on the east side of the rlver between New York and Albany. with strict orders to take up and examine al! strangers travelling up and down the river. .--either by land or water i; and if detec ted in espionage, or employed in communicating information between the British armies. 10 be punished according to the rules of war. About the first of September, a ped- estrian passing northwardiy, was hailed and stopped by sentinel of the gua'd stationed at Rsdhook, and commanded by Capt. Joseph Mansfield. of Connecti> cut. The man was about thirty years of age, and clothed ia the habit of farmer. He was conducted to the guard >house. Capt M. inquired of him his name.- the place of his residence. as well as that to which he was going. his business there. &c. He replied by giving name and stated that he belonged to the place below Redhook, and was a farmer-thst he was on his way to the next town above with view to purchase pair of oxen from farmer of his acquaintance living there. He was asked whether he had about him any letter or other communi- cation from Lord Howe. or any other British officer at New York. addressed to Gen. BurgOyne, or any officer in lis army ? To which he promptly answered in the negative. Capt. M. then told him that such were the orders of his superior officer, that it became his duty to search the person of every traveller under simi. lar circumstances {: to which he replied. he lad no objection to being searched.- Capt. N. then directed two or three of the guard to take off his coat and ex> anime the pockets.-folds. lining. and every other part very critically. While this was doing. one of the guards observ- ed the prisoner to pass his hand with quick motion from his vest pocket to his mouth. and by the motion of his chin seemed to be swallowing something that "~ent down rather ha,d," as he ex- pressed himself. The search, however, continued and was finished, without any discovery which would justify the farther detention of the prisoner. Capt. M. was then informed of the suspicious circum- stances noticed by the guard.
 What was now 10 be done Strono suspicion had attached itself to the stran. ger. but no positive proof had yet ap. peared against him.. An expedient soon suggested itself to the ready thoughts of our Yankee Captain. He observed to the prisoner. i've have detained you on your journey for some length of time. and subjected you to pretty strict exami- nation. feel bound by the rules of civiIi- ty to treat you to a bowl of toddy before you proceed Ou.--and if you will drink with us you shall be made welcome. The man was pleased with the invitation and readily agreed to accept it. The Captain took upon himself the office of bar-keepsr, and soon prepared the toddy