Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-07-08
TIE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY.
Ths Attempt Made 10 Captsre his Perssn..
IL Il YeYy Near q AMceess.

Ths Attempt Made 70 Capture Bis Psrssn..
IL 10 VERY Near success.
II was while at his headquartor, at
Newburgh, on the Hudson, tina q bold
attempt was made to capture Washing
ton. Clinton was very anxious TO get
possession OF his person, and Washing
ton received many letters warning him
OF his danger. But with all the plans
that were laid, none seemed to DO 30
easy OF execution a. the ono that was
foiled by the patriotism OF young lady.
At this time there was no road along the
river to the south for some distance, for
right in front OF headquarters tho bank
was hundred feet high, and went sheer
down to the water. This, with little va
ration, continued for mile, or almost
down to Lafayette's b adquarters. Half
way down the Quassau creek bursts
fIom q gorge into the Hudson. This
chasm ran back into the interior nearly
mile before it sunk away 80 that 1t
could be spanned by bridge. As 1t
approached the river the south bank
swept of in side semicircle. but again
crowded against the creek, Just before
IL plunged into the Hudson. This
semicircle inclosed beautiful little val
ley, known afterward as the "Vale Of
Avoca." In passing the mouth OF the
creek in boat, the lofty banks of the
chasm, heavily wooded, presented q
gloomy pass, only wide enough for the
stream of water. In this little secluded
valley lived man named Ettrick. His
house lay almost in straight line south
from Washington's headquarters and
within cannon range, though the shot
sent from there would pass hundred
feet over its top. This lay on the OPP
posite side of the gorge, and could be
reached only by detour of some two
miles back into the country. The tide
set up close to the dwelling, and boat
could be sent from it on to the Hudson
in five minutes, and in an hour more be
carried to the Businesses Of the High
lands. This Ettrick professed 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 boat ready,
and party of Tories secreted in the
wood near by when Washington should
be invited to dinner. His daughter
overheard conversation that exposed
this plot, and informed Washington of
her suspicious, and begged him not to
ccpt 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. He was accustomed, occa-
sionally, 20 dine with Green and Knox,
three or four miles further south, and
not be back till midnight. On these
occasions he was usually accompanied
only by his colored servant.
Instead of declining the invitation, he
accepted it, but in the meantime Or
dered detachment of his life guard to
march to the place just at evening. and
present themselves at the door. While
Ettrick was engaged in conversation
with his distinguished guest, he heard
their footsteps and the low command
of their leader, and supposing them to
be the detachment of Tories, he rose,
and laying his hand on Washington's
shoulder, said:
81 believe, general, you are my
prisoner.
81 believe not, sir, but 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 n paroxysm of grief. She had not
such a result. She had
given no positive information-simply
told her suspicious to Washington,
the only result would be to
make him decline the invitation. That
hc would max. her kindness to him the
cause of punishment to her father she
did not for moment dream, and she
0esonght him not to repay her fidelity
20 him by the imprisonment and death
Of her father. If it had been mere
personal matter, Washington would
doubtless have suffered the man to 20
but the blow was not aim
ID ut him, but at his country, and this
le would not have forgiven in an only
'on. Still, every instinct of his nature
'evolted against inflicting needless SUI
ering on the daughter who had acted
70 nobly. If it had become known,
however, it is doubtful if even Wash
ngton's influence could have saved the
wretch whose crime was tenfold greater
han that of Arnold. A drumhead
curt martial and swift death was what
le richly deserved. Washington, how
yer, k pit the whole matter quiet ex-
ept to a few personal friends, and after
short confinement released him on the
Promise that he would leave the coun-
ry. To this he gladly consented, and
scaped to Nova Scotia. The secrecy
which Washington maintained in regard
0 it for the daughters sake doubtless
:ept it from becoming part of the his
Dry of the times; but there is no doubt
If its truth among the old revolutionary
antilles of that region.-Galary.