The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-05-14
A CENTENNIAL RELIC.
THE LETTER OF A spy TO BRITISH
OFFICER.

. OFFICER.
|, One Month After the Battle Of Dunkc
a Mill- original on Hand.
z The subjoiped letter, dated July %
!, 1775, bearing all the marks Of antiquity
!. the paper yellow, and ink faded, bu
clearly and legibly written, was brough
J into our sanctum yesterday.
Its history Is as follows It was fount
among the papers OF lady IS years o
age, recently deceased, q native Of Con
, necticut, and OF old revolutionary stock
1t was probably captured by her pro
} genitors. 1t is the letter of a spy-th,
name subscribed is probably fictitious
! and is addressed to Major Cane, ne
doubt British officer. Although the
writer is a spy, he is evidently not @
mere hireling, but is acting from princi
pie In his bad vocation. He is evidently
a man OF great sagacity, deeply attached
to the British Government, who fully
appreciates the magnitude of the occa-
sion. He gives the soundest advice, and
in the light Of subsequent events, really
seems to beendowed with prescience, OF
with that foreknowledge which is based
on quick observation and n logical
head.
The writer seems to be q member of
the Colonial government, highly trust
ed. and with more than common oppor-
tunities Of observation.
1t will be observed that he speaks of
Gen. Ward. the senior officer of New
England, whom it was generally be-
lieved would be placed in command of
the Continental troops In the event of q
separation from the Mother Country.
The date Of the letter, it will also be
observed, is about one month after the
battle of Bunker Hill, Of which he
speaks, both as an American and q
British subject, with some confusion in
regard to tours and yours" We print
the letter verbatim. and without change
Of photography:
July 22nd. ITS.
I hope this will Reach you: three at
tompts have made Without Success in
Effecting the Last The man was Dis
covered in attempting his Escape, but
Wastband of his Breaches. He was
Confined few Days, During which
Time you may Guess my feaiings; but
q Little art q Little Cash settled the
matter. 1t Is a month Since my Re-
turn from Phil. | went by the way of
Providence TO yiset my mother. The
Committee for warlike Stores made me
a formal Tender of IL pieces of Cannon.
lS 4 "a Founders, they haveing taken
preavOus Resolution To Make the Offer
to Genl. Ward. To make a merit of
my services | Sent them Down. x When
they Reed. them they sent them to
Stoughton to be out of Danger: though
when they had formed the Resolution.
as | before hinted, OF fortifyind Bunker
hill, which. together with the Cowrd-
ice Of the Clumsey Coll Garish
ana Coll. Somners, was the Lucky
acation of the Defeat. This
affair happened Before my Return from
Philadelphia. Wee lost les killed then
& since dead of their wounds. 100
more Lay wounded. Cheife Of them
will Recover. They Bost you have 400 |
Killed Il wounded in that action. You |
equal truth. The People of Connecticut !
are Raveing i'll the cause of Liberty. A |
Number from that Colony. from the |
Town of Stanford, Robed the Kings |
stores at new lorke, with some small |
assistance New Workers Lent them.
They ware growing turbulent. | counted /
$50 Pieces OF Cannon, from "a to 3 pound |
ers, at Kingbridge. which The Com
Initee had secured for the use of the
Colony. Jersey are not whit behind
in Zeal the Phillidelphians
Exceed Them Both. | saw 1900 men in
Revew there by Genll Lee, Consisting
Of Quakers 4 other Inhabitants, In uni,
form, with 1000 Rihelmen q 40 hose.
who, together, made a Warlike appear
lnce. | mingled freely with the mem
they ware United and Determined
in opposition, and appeared a sur'd OF
success. Now to Come home the opper-
stion Is sbecome Formidable; $1,000
Brave men And Determined, with
& Lee at their Head, are
no Contemplate Enemy. Adjatant
General Gates is in Defetagable in ar
angling the army. Provisions are very
Plenty; Cloths are manufacturing in
20 Tuns of Powder Lately arrived at
Philadelphia, Connecticut and Provi-
lence. Upward of 20 Tuns are Now In
Camp; Salt Petre is made in Every
Colony; Powder mills are Erected and
Continually Employed in Phi'la and
New York Volunteers of the First For
tunes are DAILY Flocking to the Camp;
1000 Rifle men in two or three Days: Re
fruits are now Leving to ogment the
Army to 22,0o0 men, 1000 militari are
appointed in this government to appear
IN the First summon. The Bills of the
Iolonys Circulate freely and are Ready
exchanged for Cash. Add to this that
Unless some Plan OF accommodation
axes place IMMEDIATELY, their Harbours
will swarm with Privateers.
An army will he raised in the middle
Colonies to take possession of Canada,
or the sake Of the Miserable Convuls'd
1mpier SOLICIT peace. Repeal, Repeal
he acts or Briton is Undone. This ad- ,
ice is the Result OF Warm Affection {
0 my King and Rein. Remember | !
lever Deceived you. Every Article hear
ent you is sacredly true. The papers !
vill announce to you that I am again u l
nember for Boston. You will there see
ur nodded Counsel. A General arrange
q