Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-10-02

[9---$2.o0 per Annum.
NUMBER 26.
Lafayette and Arasld's Treason.
By ROBERT DALE OWEN.
But the event of this visit of mine to
Paris was my introduction, by Frances
Wright, to General Lafayette. OF all
men living he was the one 1 most en-
Enthusiastically admired, and the one 1
had the most earnestly longed to zee.
These feelings had gained fresh fervor
in the United States. Just two months
before landed at New York LAFAYETTE
had returned home in the Brandywlne,
after years sojourn in the land which
ne had aided to liberate, and by which
he had been welcomed as never nation.
till then, had welcomed man.
! heard his praise on every tongue, 1
found love and gratitude toward him
in every heart.
Ny admiration and sympathy were
no doubt transparent, and these NAV
have won for me, from one of the most
genial of men, 4 hearty reception. At
all events, he devoted himself to satisfy
my curiosity, with an overfiowing
good nature and . winning Kindness
and simplicity that I shall remember
in my dying day.
"A few items of our conversation I still
most distinctly recollect. One incl
dent, presenting the Father of mis-
Country in a rare aspect, ever recalls
to me, when think of it, the tender
eyes and the gracious, loving manner
which made the grand old Frenchman
fhe idol Of all young people who were
fortunate enoue h to share his friend
ship.
1t was Just before the unmasking of
the sole traitor who loomed up during
our Revolution, on one Of the most
eventful days in all that eventful
period, and more than four years after
the immortal Declaration had been
read from the steps cf the old Philadel-
phia statehouse it was the 25th Of
September, 1850. On the afternoon Of
the preceding day, Washington, after
dining at Fishkill, had set out with his
suite, intending to reach Arnc]tl's head. +.
quarters, eighteen miles distant, that
evening. What would have happened
had he carried out his intention.
we can now only conjecture. What
men call chances casual meeting
near Fishk;li with the French minister,
De Luzerne-induced him to remain
there that night, Next morning, after
sending notice to Arnold that he might
expect him to breakfast, he again
changed his intention, turning of to
visit scme redoubts on the Hudson,
opposite West Point and sending two
aides-de-camp to apologize. It was
while these officers were at breakfast
with the family that Arnold received
the despatch which announced Andres
capture, and caused his (Arnoid's) in
stant fight, on pretence, to his
visitors, of a call from West
Point. Some hours later, Wash.
ington arriving with General
Knox and General Lafayette, and find
ing Arnold gone, followed him, as he
supposed across the river, and, learn.
ing that Arnold had not been to West
Point, returned to dinner. As Wash.
ington approached the house, his aide,
Colonel Hamilton, who had remained
behind, came hurredly to meet him,
and gave him q dispatch which, as
confidential staff officer, he had al
ready opened, and which disclosed Ar
nold's treachery. Washington com.
munica:ed its contents, doubtless be-
fore dinner, to General Knox, and te
him alone, with the brief and signif-
cant words, "Whom can We trust
noW3"
The usual version is that he thus
communicated the portentous news to
General Knox and Lafayette jointly
but that is an error. The statement
made to me by the latter, during on,
journey to In Grange, surprised and
interested me at the time, and has re.
mained indelib'y impressed on my
memory. It was this
When Washington sat down to din
ner, no unusual emotion was visible on
his counterance. He was grave and
silent, but none more SO than often
happened when recent tidings from
the army occupied his thoughts. Al
the close of the meal he beckoned to
Lafayette to follow him, passed ia
an inner apartment, turned to his
young friend without uttering q
syllable, placed the fatal dispatch
in his hands, and then, giving
way to an ungovernable burst of feel.
ing, fell on his neck and sobbed aloud.
Tho effect produced on the young
French Marquis. accustomed to regard
his General (cold and dignified in his
usual manner) as devoid of the COM
mon weaknesses of humanity, may be
imagined. 81 believe" said Lafay.
cite to me in relating this anecdote,
that this was the only occasion
throughout that long and some
times hopeless struggle that Wash
ington ever gave way, even
for a moment, under a reverse of for.
tune and perhaps I am the only
human being who ever witnessed in him
an exhibition of feeling so foreign to
his temperament. As it was, he re.
covered himself before had perused
the communication that had given rise
to his excitement, and when We re-
turned to his staff not trace remained
in his demeanor either of grief or de-
Observation-Disclosures Monthly to'
October.