Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-01-23
M tSTORICAL,
THE OATH AT VALLEY FORGE.

LIE Va II n VALLEY FOKGE.
It was a, Valley Forge that Washing.
ton, by order Of Congrt ss. administe rod
the oath Of allegiance to the general off
GERS. The Major Generals stood around
the Commander.in Chief, and took hold
Of Bible together, according to the
usual custom; but as Washington began
10 administer the oath, Lee deliberately
withdrew his hand. This singular move.
ment was repeated, and in so odd man.
ner that all the officers smiled; and
Washington inquired into the meaning
Of his hesitancy. Lee repIied--"A to
King George, | am willing to absolve
myself from oil allegiance to him, but
have some scruples about the Prince Of
Wales" The s,rangeness Of this reply
was such that the officers burst into
broad laugh, in which Washington him.
self was obliged TO join. The ceremo.
ny was Of course interrupted. 1t was
renewed as soon as or,ler was restored,
proper for the solemnity Of the occasion,
and Lee took the oath with the other
officers.
Charles Lee received o commission 10
the British army when but eleven years
OF age. When turned of twenty, he
made four campaigns in America in the
French war Of l755, and was wounded
at The assault on Ticonderoga. He dis.
played great skill and bravery in the
service, and received tho rank of colo.
mel. Leaving America, he served with
distinction under Burgoyne in Portugal,
against the Spanards.
When peace was again restored, he
returned to England, and projected two
new British coon!es-one on the Ohio,
below the Wabash, and the other on the
Illinois; and though he was baf1led in
his scheme by tie ministers rejecting
bis proposition, ye! he continued to take
lively interest in the concerns Of the
colonies. His vigorous style both in
speech and writing, was distinguished
by pointed satire and scorching invec.
tive, and sayored Of high republican
principles. He evidently foresaw the
American contest.
In 1784 Lee. went to Poland, and was
appointed Major. General in its army
he presented sword which had be.
longed to Oliver Cromwell, to Ponia'
towiski; who he observes. '.though q
king, is great admirer Of that extraor
dinary man." He performed cam
paign against the Turks, travelled ex
tensively and returned to England ir
ITO. His known sentiments, and hil
ability as writer, led to the author
sh'p Of the letters Of Junius being ascri
bed to him. In 1773 he came to Amer
ica, travelled much, made the acquain
tance Of the leading men, and embraced
with ardor the patriotic cause. Fixinl
his alfec tions on the new world, he pur
chased an estate in Virginia.
When the Revolutionary war broke out
Lee was appointed Major. General. Hi
valuable services in the cause are to-
we'll known to require any sketch Q
them; hut with his merits were fault
not less striking which are 10 be ascri
bed 10 an ill.regulated mind. for his pa
triotism Is not 10 be doubted. After th
sifair u Monmouth. for which he wa
suspended, BY : court.martial from an
command for year, he retired TO hi
estate in Berkeley county. Virgins
which he callsd Prato Rio. Here, h
lived morn like i hermit than citize
ofthe world, Of I member Of ciyilize
afr y l.. 80 q