New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-11-05
Attempt 70 poison washington.


| Attempt to Poison Washington.
| When they reached Springfield they drew up at
the inn, where they alighted to warm themselves.
The inn keeper, whose name was Francis, was q
| Liberty man, and was commonly called Black Sam,
| from the swarthy hue Of his complexion. He had
kept similar establishment in the g broad street,
Of New York, which was awhile the center of at
traction to all the bachelors and minded gem
tlemen far ana near-drawn thther not alone by
the wit and good hunor of the dark host but by
the allowed excellence and unadulterated quality
OF his yands and liquors; and, be IL remembered,
Black Sam was great hero in his way-for hun
dreds of brawny wghts had he laid upon their
backs; unnumbered were the smooth Voltarian
noses he had converted into huge masses and
many, very many star beaming eye had he be-
dlmmed by the mighty influence of his magical
power-yet. notwithstanding al this Black Sam
was allowed to possess good will for all mankind,
and for his friends generosity of feeling seldom
equaled by any of his calling or any other inter
ested caterer of the good things of this life.
He moved to Springfield when the British army
had taken possession of the city following the foot
steps Of the retreatng Americans, and preferrng to
deal with his halfnaked and suffering countrymen
rather than to remain where he was and grow rich
beneath the patronage of loyalty.
AS soon as our travellers had taken their seats at
fire in room of the inn, smart looking youpg
woman came to receive their conmands-the sur
geon observing her exclaimed:
Honey?r
with coquetish courtesy, shut Mrs. Molly Francis
now, at your seryice.f
"And did Black Sam make you mistress Of his
house and heart to prevent you divnlging secret
that would have hanged him in all probabty?n
+" He married me, it is true, but many think he
had better reason than you assigned and she
raised her eyes to the looking glass that hung op-
posite her.
That is likely enough,n returned the surgeon,
half persuaded, on second look, of the truth of
her argument. "And now, Mrs Polly, if that
please better. go and prepare dinner, and | will
subscribe to all you have said.n
Upon which Mrs. Francis pursed up her pretty
mouth, and with another glance at the mirror, re
tired from the room with an air of consequence
arising from self-esteem, which may be pardonable
in an Ignorant beauty, though reprehensible in
Cicero.
As the door closed, the surgeon said to his com.
panion:
That simple girl was instrumental in saving the
life Of Washington / can speak Of ii now. Is can
do no harm. 1t was about the middle Of June,
| 1875, and while the General was in New York
waiting the approach of the kings troops that the
| girl came to Francis, her present husband whom
| she considered in the light of royalist and in
| formed him, as secret she had overheard that
| there was plan in operation among the Govern
ment men to destroy the rebel leader as she
termed the Commander-in-Ch Chief, by poison, which
| was to be plentifully mingled with green peas a
favorte vegetable of his, on the following day. at
| Richmond HILL the headquarters, where he was to
| dine. Francis went Immediately to Washington
| and acquainted him with the danger that threat
/ ened him. The General having listened with the
most careful attention said
My friend, thank you; your fidelity has saved
| my hfe-to what reserve the Almighty only knows!
But now for your own safety. charge you to re-.
1 turn to your house and let not word Of what Won
have related to me pass your lips it would involve
you in certain ruin; and Heaven forbid that your
| life should be forfeited or endangered by your faith
to me. will take the necessary steps to prevent
| and at the same time discover the instrument of
| this most wicked DEVICE
" The next day, about two hours before dinner,
he sent for his guard told him of the plot and re-
quested that he would disguise himself as female
and 90 to the kitchen-there to keep strict watch
on the peas until they should be served for the
table.
The young man carefully observed the direc-
tons he had received, and had not been long upon
his post before the unfortunate r. H.. another Of
the Generals guards, came to his door looked
anGiously in and then went away.
In few moments after he returned and ap-
preached the hearth where the peas stood and
was about to minge the deadly substances, when
he suddenly shrunk back as though from the sting
Of the orktongued adder, his color changing to
the pale hue OF DEATH and his limbs quiyering ap-
parenty with fear, evidently horror stricken with
his own purpose--butsoon, however, the operation
of the more powerful ncitement urged forward his
hand that, trembling, strewed the odious bane and
he left the kitchen, overwhelmed with conflicting
passions, remorse and confusion.
"fHerold sleeps no more--the cry hath reached
his heart ere the deed be accompiished said the
youth on duty, in voice not devoid Of pity as he
looked after the wretch.
g What! I. HIP said the General, sorrowfully
upon receiving the information, can it be posi-.
ble-so young, 50 fair, so gentle! He would have
been the last upon whom suspicion of that nature
could have fallen by right of countenanee. You
have done WE'LL said he to the youth before him.
Go join your comrades, and be secret'
The young man went accordingly, and Wash
ington returned to the piazza, where several off
GERS were assembled, among whom was the hero
OF Saratoga, who was waiting for further instrnc-
tlons from Congress before he departed for Canada
In few minutes dinner was announced and
the party ushered into a handsome roem where
sumptnons board was spread covered with all the
delicacies of the season.
stWashington took his seat placed Gen. Gates
on his right hand and Gen. Wooster on his left
When the remainder Of the officers and company
were seated and eager to commence the duties Of
the table, the General said very mpressiYey
Gentlemen, 1mnstrequestyou to suspend your
meal for moment. Let the guard attend me-,
F" All was silence and amazement. The guard
entered and formed line toward the upper end
of the apartment.
Washington having put upon his plate spoon.
full Of the peas, fixed his eye upon 7. II.
6 Shall eat of this vegetable p he asked.
{ The youth turned pale and became dreadfully
agitated, while he family uttered:
"a 4 don't know
Here a. raised his hand, as if by an involun-
tary impulse, to prevent their being tasted.
chicken was then brought in, that conclusive ex-
pertinent might be made in the presence of all
those witnesses.
g The animal ate of the peas and Immediately
died, and the wretched I. H., overcome with hor-
ror and remorse fell fainting, and was borne from