Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-10-15
Lafayette, and Arnold's Treason.
ny ROBERT DALE OWEN.

ny RoDERr DALE OWEN.
Bot tho cvont OF this visit of mine
70 Paris was my Introduction, by
Frapcis Wright, TO General Lafayette.
or oil the men living he was tho ono
! most enthusiastically admired, and
the one | had the most earnestly
longed TO see. These feelings had
gained fresh fervor in the United
States. Just two months before /
landed in New York Lafayette had
returned homo In the Brandywine, af-
ter q years sojourn in the land which
no had aided to liboratc, and by which
hc had been welcomed as never na-
tion till then, had welcomed a man.
heard his praise on every tongue
found love and gratitude toward him
in every heart.
Ny admiration and sympathy were
no doubt transparent, and these may
have won for me, from one Of the
mos. genial men, hearty reception.
At all events, he received me with an
overAowing good nature and win
ming kindness and simplicity that /
shall remember to my dying day.
A few items of our conversation /
still most distinctly recollcct. One in
cident, presenting the Father of his
Country in rare aspect, ever recalls
to me, when | think Of it, the tender
eyes and gracious, loving manner that
made the grand old Frenchman the
idol of all young people who were for
tunate enough to share his friend
ship. e-
IL was just before the unmasking
Of the sole traitor who loomcd up du-
ring our Revelation, on ono OF the
most eventful days in all that event
full period, and more than four years
after the immortal Declaration had
been read from the steps Of tho old
Philadelphia State House; it was on
the 25th Of September, 1850. On the
afternoon Of the preceding day, Wash
ington, after dining at Fishkill, had
set out with his suite, intending to
reach Arnold's headquarters, eighteen
miles distant, that evening. What
would have happened had he carried
out his intention, wc can only conjec-
ture. What mon call cbance--a casu-
al meeting near Fishkill with the
French Minister, De Luzerne induced
him to remain there that night
Next morning, after sending notice 10
Arnold that he might expect him TO
breakfast, he again changed his inten-
tioD, turned off TO visit some redoubts
on the Hudson, opposite West Point,
and sending two aides-de-camp to
apologize. 1t was while these officers
wero at breakfast with the family
that Arnold received tho despatch
which announced Andres capture, and
caused his (Arnod's) instant fligh. ION
pretence to his visitors of a call from
West Point. Some hours later Wash.
ington, arriving with General Knox
and General Lafayette, and finding
Arnold gone, followed him, as he sup
posed, across tho river, and learning
that Arnold had not been at West
Point, returned to dinner. As Wash
ington approached the house, bis aide,
Colonel Hamilton, who had remained
behind, came hurriedly to meet him,
and placed in his hands despatch
which as confidential staiT.officer, he
bad already opened, and which dis
closed Arnold's trcaohery. Washing
ton communicated its contents, doubt
less before dinner to General Knox,
and to him alone, with the brief and
significant words, "Whom can we
trust now?"
The usual version is that he thus
communicated the portentuous news to
General Knox and Lafayette jointly I;
but that is an error. The statement
made to me by the latter, during our
journey to La Grange, surprised and
interested me at the time, and has re-
mained indelibly impressed on my
memory. 1t was this:
When Washington sat down TO din
ner, no unusual emotion was visible
on his countenance. lie was grave
and silent, but not more 80 than often
happened when recent tidings from
the army occupied his thoughts. AT
the close of the meal hc bcckoned to
Lafayette to follow him, passed to an
inner apartment, turned TO his young
friend without uttering o syllable,
placed the fatal despatch in his hands,
and then, giving way to an ungov-
erhable burst Of feeling, fell on his
neck and sobbod aloud. Tho effect
produced on the young French mar
quis, accustomed to regard his gener-
al (cold and dignified in his usual
manncr) as devoid of the common
weakness of humanity, may bo imag-
ined. al believe" said Lafayette, to
me in relating this anccdote, "that
this was the only occasion throughout
that long and sometimes hopeless
struggle that Washington ever gave
way, even for Il moment, under q re-
verse of fortune; and perhaps / am
the only human being who ever wit
messed in him an exhibition so foreign
to his temperament. As IL was, hc
recovered himself before bad porused
tho communication that had given
rise to his excitement, and when We
returned to his staff not trace re.
mained in his domeanor either of grief
or despondency." ."-Atidntic Monthly
for October.
The Sword AND THE PES.--The
Sword Of the warrior was taken down
for the purpose of being polished. IL