The Nevada journal. [volume] (Nevada City, Calif.) 1851-18??, 1857-09-18
A Singular Story.
A REVOLUTIONARY "REMINISCENCES


to Paris during the Revolution, related
the following story of John, the Painter:
While Mr.. Deane was in Paris, a
stranger, rather advanced in years, call
ed to see him, aud requested a talk with
him in private. Deane, surprised at
such request was rather on his guard,
and Intercepted the stranger as to his
business but he could get nothing from
him until they should go into a private
room. Deane suspected him as an en-
issary from the British Ministry, but at
length determined to crafty him. When
alone, he made many excuses for his er-
rand, but finally told him that he was an
American citizen, though Scotchman
by birth; that he had lived in Amboy,
New Jersey, where he had a comforta-
BILE house; that while the British were
in possession of Amboy, they had sus-
pected his principles, and treated him
very i'll, in various ways, and finally
burnt down his house and gave him
much personal insult that he had de-
termined on killing King George, for
which purpose he had come to Europe;
that he had been to England and laid his
plan, and was now ready to execute it
but thought it his duty to make Mr..
Deane acquainted with it, as the minis
ter from his country, and to take his ad-
vice; that he passed by the name Of
John, the Painter. Mr. Deane was
much surprised at this communication,
and at first thought him deranged. lie
then suspected he might have been sent
as snare by the British Minister. AZ
ter talking with him little, and finding
him determined, he desired him to call
again. The next day he returned, dis
playing as determined a resolution as
ever. Mr.. Deane reasoned with him
that it was mean and cowardly to assas-
sinate man in cold blood, who had
never injured him personally. He al
swered that his servants had insultcd,
abused, and finally ruined him; said he
would have revenge, and that no earth
ly consideration should prevent him.
He developed his whole plan, and Mr..
Deane said he was surprised at the wis
dom of it to accomplish the end, as he
seemed to have laid it in such a manner
as to render success certain. Mr.. Deane
told him that if he must have revenge,
he must have it in manly generous
way. He should go into the American
army, and meet his enemy fairly in the
feld-or, if he could succeed in killing
his generals-it would be lawful; but
the private assassination of an innocent
man, off his guard and suspocting no i'll,
would be abhorred by all mankind
That he could not encourage or give
him aid in so wicked purpose; but must
do everything to dissuade him from it.
On this he left him. When he return
ed, he came in frantic, saying: 81 con-
fess it is unlawful to lift my hand against
the Lords anointed You have con-
WINGED me. But | am determined te
burn the naval stores at Portsmouth"
Deane answered, that would tend to
weaken the enemy in carrying on the
war, if he could accomplish it, he should
have no objection, but would not aid
him in it. He said he could do it, and
would go over to England to reconnoi-
ter the place. Deane reminded him
that if caught he would assuredly lose
his life. He said he should not attempt
to save it. He was an old man, had no
connections, and whether he died now
or three or four years hence, it was
matter of little consequence to him, so
that he could but get revenge. He ac-
cordingly went to Portsmouth, and on
his return communicated to Mr.. Deane
his whole plan, with the instrument
made of tin, with which he was to ac-
complish it. The scheme was well laid
and promised success. Some days af-
ter, he came again, and said: "Now, |
know YOU will think me a rascal; | am
come to borrow money; | have expen
ded all | had. | want one guinea to
carry me to Portsmouth" Deane told
him that if that was all he could have
it. He gave it to him and he went off.
Deane received the following account
of his proceedings, from a friend who
attended his examine ton before the
privy council He arrived at Ports
mouth and took up his lodgings with a
very poor woman at the skirts of the
town. Early next morning he went out
10 IcCOUHOIlcI. L llc Olu WOllldu duA-
ious to know who or what her guest was,
had the curiosity to look into his bundle.
She found shirt and pair of stockings,
with tin machine which she could not
comprehend. John, the Painter, want
ed top to his machine, and took it to
a tin-man and had one made. In the
evening he accomplished his purpose
and consumed nearly a hundred thous-
and pounds worth of stores. In the
morning, every person in the town was
ordered to report if any stranger had
lodged there. The old woman reported
John, the Painter, with the extraordi
nary tin machine; the tin man reported
his making a top for it. John was fixed
upon as the incendiary, and, it being ia
ken for granted that he was sent prop
erly prepared for his escape, horsemen
were sent on every road, and orders to
pursue and take up every person they
found riding past. By day light in the