The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-07-13
Kidnapping of Washington at New.
burg.

1t was while at these headquarters a
bold attempt was made to capture Wash
lEgton. Clinton was very anxious to get
possession OF his person, and Washington
| received many letters warning him of his
danger. But with all the plans that were
laid, none seemed to be so easy of execu-
ton as the one that was foled here by the
patriotism of young lady, the daughter
OF one Ettrick, who protessed to be a
warm patriot, but those who knew him
best looked on him with suspicion. This
man and this spot were selected to effect
Washington's capture. The plan proposed
was to have a boat ready, and a party of
Tories secreted in the wood near bv, when
Washington should be invited to dinner.
His daughter overheard conversation
that exposed his plot, and informed Wash
lngton of her suspicious, and begged MIN
rot to accept the invitation of her father
to dinner. The dinner hour was to be
late, SO that it would be dark before the
meal was over. Then the seizure was to
be effected and the captive borne off to
The bosom of the Hudson. The boat
manned by strong rowers, would easily
have reached the English vessels below
West Point before Washington would be
missed. Instead of declining the invita-
ton, he accepted it, but in the meantime
ordered 4 detachment of his lite guard to
march 70 the place Just at evening. and
present themselves at the door Ahiie
Ettrick was engaged in conversation with
his distinguished guest, he heard their
footsteps and tho low command of their
leader, and supposing them to b. the de-
t1cbmnOt nf TpIa. 40
his hand on Nashington's shoulder, said =
81 believe. General, YOU are my pris-
oner."
81 believe not, sir you are mine was
the reply, as the life guard closed around
him.
He was Immediately marched off and
locked up. This threw the daughter into
a paroXysm Of grief. She had not antici-
pated such Il result She had given no
positive nlormation-simply told her sus-
pclOns to Washington, thinking the only
result would be to make him decline the
invitation. That he woul' make her kind
ness to him the cause Of punishment to her
father she did not for Il moment dream,
and she besought him not to repay her
iiCeiity to him by The Imprisonment and
death of her father If it had been a mere
personal matter, Washington would doubt
less have suffered the man to 90 unmo-
lested; but the blow was not aimed at
him. but AT his country, and this he would
not have forgiven in an only son. Still,
every instinct of his nature revolted
against intlicting needless suffering on
the daughter who had acted 50 nobly. Ii
it had become known, however, it is
doubtful If even Washingtons influence
could have saved the wretch whose crime
was tentold greater than that of Arnold.
a drumheld court martial and swift
death was what he richly deserved. Wash
| ington, however, kept the whole matter
quiet except to few personal friends,
| and after Il short confinement released
him on the promise that he would leave
the country. 10 this he gladly consented,
and escaped to Nova Scotia The secrecy
which Washington maintained in regard
to it ior the daughters sake, doubtless
kept it from becoming Il part Of the his
tory OF the times; but there is no doubt
Of its truth among the old Revolutionary
families OF this region. j. 7 lIeadley,
in the Galaxy for July