Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-11-01

An lnc1dent oil the heVOluttOn-An At
tempt 20 Poison General Washington
Discovery and Confusion of the CrImi.
nal.
A surgeon in the American army relates
this story:
A simple girl was instrumental in saving
the life of Washington. | can speak of il
now, it can do no harm. 1t was about the
middle of June, 1T76, 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 con-
sidered in the light of a royalist, and in
formed him, as a secret she had overheard,
that there was plan in operation among the
government men to destroy the rebel leader
as she termed the COMMUNICATIVE chief
by poison, which was to be plentifully
mingled with green peas, q favorite vegeta-
bic of his, on the following day, at Richmond
Hill, the headquarters, where he was to
dine. Francis went Immediately to Wash
ington, and acquainted him with the danger
that threatened him. The General having
listened with the most careful attention,
said:
"My friend, thank you your fidelity has
saved my life-to what reserve the Almighty
only knows But now for your own safety,
l charge you to return to your house, and
let not word of what you 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 byyour
faith to me. will take the necessary steps
to prevent and at the same time discover,
the instrument of this most wicked device.H
The next day, about two hours before
dinner, he sent for his guard, told him ofthe
plot and requested that he would disguise
himself as female, and go to the kitchen
there to keep strict watch on the peas until
they should be served for the table.
fi1l1 oh
directions he ad.received, and had not long
been upon his post, before the unfortunate
7. H., another of the Generals guards, came
to his door, looked anxiously in and then
went away.
in few moments after he returned and
approached the hearth where the peas stood,
and was about to mingle the deadly sub.
stances, when he suddenly shrunk back as
though from the sting of the forl-tongued
adder, his color changing to the pale hue of
death, and his limbs quivering apparently
with fear, evidently horror stricken with his
own purpose-but soon, however, the opera
ton Of the more powerful incitement, urged
forward his hand, that trembling, strewed
the odious bane, and he left the kitchen.
overwhelmed with conflicting passions, re-
morse, and confusion.
Herold sleeps no more-the cry hath
reached his heart ere the deed be accom-
plished, said the youth on duty, in voice
not devoid of pity, as he looked after the
wretch.
rowfully, upon receiving the information
can it be possible-so young, so fair, so
gentle He would have been the last upon
whom suspicion of that nature could have
fallen by right of countenance. You have
done well, said he to the youth before him,
Go join your comrades, and be secret."'
The young man went accordingly, and
Washington returned to the piazza, where
several general officers were assembled,
among whom was the hero ofSaratoga, who
was waiting for further instructions from
Congress before he departed for Canada.
In few minutes dinner was announced,
and the party ushered into q handsome
room, where a sumptuous board was spread
covered with all the delicacies of the season.
Washington 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 impressively:
Gentlemen, must request you to sus-
pend your meal for q momeat. Let the
guard attend me.
All was silence and amazement. The
guard entered and formed line toward the
upper end of the apartment.
Washington having put upon his plate a
spoonful Of the peas, fixed his eye upon T. H.
"Shall eat of this vegetable !" he asked.
1.-THE youth turned pale, and became
dreadfully agitated, while he family uttered:
81 don't know"
Here II. raised his hand, as if by an in
voluntary impulse, to prevent their being
tasted. A chicken was then brought In,
that a conclusive experiment might be made
ia the presence of all those witnesses.
'The animal eat of the peas and imme-
diately died, and the wretched T. H. over
come with horror and remorse, fell fainting,
and was borne from the apartment"