The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-05-17

INTERESTING REVOLUTIONARY DocUMENT.-At the
meeting OF the Pennsylvania Historical Society on
tuesday evening in Philadelphia, paper was read
py George Henry Moore, Librarian of the New
ork historical Society, on the Life and Character
OF Major General Charles Lee. The following
tract is taken from the outline given in the Phla-
delphia papers:
After the surrender of Fort Washington, Gen.
Lees whole career marked by disobedence of
orders, until he taken prisoner by detach-
ment OF British dragons under Col Harcourt, hav
ing been engaged that very day in writing his
foulest letter of abuse to General Gates against
Washington, fac simile of which was exhibited by
the lecturer to the society. Being taken to New
York and lodged in the City Hall in mortal fear of
being put to death deserter from the British
Army, or rebel against the British Government, he
penned document addressed to Lord and Gen.
Howe, containing plan betraying the American
ause to the British Government second only in fn-
fanny tothat of Benedict Arnold. The identical pa
per, in General Lees own handwriting, and en-
dorsed by Mr.. Streachey, the Secretary of the
British Commissioners:
''Ir Lees Plan, December 80, 1777," was ex-
hibted to- the Society by Mr.. Moore His
plan was that, while the bulk of the British
army should march on Philadelphia division
should be posted at Alexandria, Va, and another
at Annapolis, Md. His theory Pennsylvania
taken, New England would give up; that the di-
vision at Annapolis would induce Maryland to lay
down her arms; that the division at Alexandria
would most etfectually separate Virginia from
detached from the rest of the State, and that Penn
sylvania would thus be crushed between these di-
visions at Alexandria, Annapolis and Philadelphia;
the Congress itself be captured, and, he himself
expresses it-''the last spark of the war be ex-
tinguished."
1t has been known in history that the remarkable
movements of Sir VIM. Howe, by which he aban-
doned his direct march Philadelphia through
the Jerseys, giving up his cooperation with Bur
goyne, to sail up the Chesapeake and land at the
head OF Elk, was disapproved of by almost all his
officers, and that its motives were entirely unknown
to the British government As the time of this
movement corresponds with the statement of this
remarkable plan of General Lee, and as the plan
in most respects was one of great ingenuity, Mr..
Moore considered it possible, if not probable that
the British General (Howe), in the plan of opera
rations which he adopted, was following out the
suggestions of Lee. 1t is not known also that
General Lee correspondent with General Burgoyne,
and that whatever else he revealed to him, it is
certain that he made known the negotiations be.
tween the American and French governments, sub
sequent to this correspondence with Burgoyne,
and this plan laid before the British Commissioner
Lee again received command in our army only to
disgrace himself at the battle of Monmouth.
Lees plan is not signed, but it is easily recoenz-
able as his style and handwriting The endorse
ment is in Mr.. Streacheys chrography, and Mr..
Moore received the documents through the family
OF that gentleman.
ARMY ORDERs.-The War Department has issued
general orders with view to the better instruction
of the artillery.
At each artillery station there will be established
a thorough system of instruction, theoretical and
practical, in the more essential elements of artile-
ry service: The obstruction for Field Artillery
established by the War department.; the "Instr1c-
ton for Heavy Artillery" established by the War
Department; the Ordinance Manual" the Aldo
Memoire d'Artillerie" of the French; are designed
for the present for theoretical instruction; and
every officer will be required to have copy
There will be for the present and until it shall be
made to appear to the War Department that GER
tain proficiency has been attained at least two DAYS
a week of recitation the textbooks by the off
GERS, and one day week for laboratory duty. The
commanding officer will himself conduct the recita-
tons, or designate some suitable officer for that
duty under his supervision, as well as to have
charge of the laboratory The instruction on drill
will be for at least four DAYS in the week when
practicable. The practical instruction at the forti-
hcations will be habitual, each company under its
own officers, and under the direction of the com
handing officer. o.
There will be designated by the War Department
such neld oihcers OF artillery as may be deemed
necessary Tor the duty of artillery inspectors who
under the direction of the reneral-in-cbief will
make periodical inspections at least once a wear.
the result OF which will be reported minutelv
through department and army Headquarters to the
adJutant general. Every year onethird of the les
ser of the two classes, as the case NAV be-the
occupying Notifications, including the prin
cipa school of instruction at Fort Monroe already
established, and the other, field artillery posts.
VIII change stations with companies of the other
class.
Fort Ridgely, Fort Randall, and Fort Leaven
worth, in the department of the West; Fort Clark,
in the department of Texas, and Fort Vancouver,
in the department ofOregon, are designated for
field artillery stations. The stations for Utah and
California will be determined by the commanders
of those departments, respectively.
The following named officers are appointed to
the duty ofinspectors of artillery Brevet Colonel
John Munroe, 4th artillery, department of the
West. Brevet Lieutenant Colonel George Nauman,
Sd artillery, department of California and depart
ment of Oregon. Brevet Colonel Harvey Brown,
"a artillery, department of the East and depart
ment of Texas.
The IRoS INTEREST IN PENNsYLvANIA.-Iti is graf
living to hear that the iron manufacturing estab-
llshments all over State are getting into full
operation with an encouraging prospect of increas
ing business and profits near at hand. In Allegha-
ny county new branches the business are being
prosecuted with much success. The recovery from
the tiOn of'57 hu