The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1878-06-08
CHARLES LIE E'S TREASON.
IHsrper's Magazine for June.l

Hsrper's Magazine for June.l
A capital plan of the British ministry
for the campaign OF 1777 was the seizure
and the occupation by military posts of
the Champain and Hudson valleys,
from St John's on the Sorel, TO the city
of New York. The object was to sever
the close union between New England
and the other States paralyze the powers
of each section, and 80 weaken the whole
that the subjuga'ion Of the resisting
States might become an easy task. TO
accomplish this end forces we're prepared
to move southwark from the banks of
the St. Lawrence, while other forces
should ascend the Hudson river, and
these columns, meeting near Albany,
perfect the execution of the scheme.
Lieutenant General Burgoyne command
ed the northern invading army. and Sir
William Howe the forces that were to
penetrate New York from the south.
At this point treacherous officer of
high rank in the Continental army ap-
pears conspicuous in the series OF events
that caused the evacuation of PhiIadel-
phia That officer was Charles Lse, the
senior Major General under Washing.
ton. He had been an officer in the
British army. served under Burgoyne in
Portugal, and had risen to the rank Of
Lieutenant. Colonel. He had served
under Braddock in the disastrous con.
fl,ct on the banks of the Monongahela.
and with Abercormbie in the unsuccess-
full attack on Ticonderoga, about twenty
years brfore the time we are consider
ing. Lpe had dwelt for time among
the Mohawk Indians. who made him a
chief, with the appropriate name of
Boiling Water for he was hot and
over restless man, vain. arrogant, jealous,
and quarrelsome. Failing to obtain
higher promotion in the army he left
the royal service, came to America in
1773, engaged in politics on the side of
the colonists, and when the Continental
army was organized he received the COM
mission OF Major He resigned
his commission in the British army, but
required Congress to indemnify him
against any loss which he might sustain
as a cons quencc OF that act Then he
began to play the part of AN American
patriot; to enable him to continue to do
so, Congress, in the autumn of 1776,
loaned him upon his own bond $50, 900.
He was simply an unscrupulous and
selfish adventurer, whose influence in
49, "AHAJ "s.o sA""J FeAe'SAoue'
Proud, censorious, and disobedient,
Lee had followed Washington at DIS
tance with heavy force during the
perilous flight of the shattered American
army across New Jersey late in l776.
pursued by the victorious troops of
CORVALLIS. Washington repeatedly
called uron Lee to push forward and
give him strength to strike the pursu-rs,
and hA al nfk.n en- III,
evidently desired to have disaster b-fail
his superior. hoping thereby to promote
his own ambitious scheme to become
commander-in- chief. He was not only
disobsdient, but several days after the
chase had ended at the Delaware, and
CORVALLIS had relinqnished it, Lee, YET
lingering in New Jersey, suffered HIM.
self to be captured, at some distance
TAKEN to New York, he wss used harshly
at first by General Howe, as British
deserter, but very soon that commsnde
an his officers treated Lee with marked
consideration. And we'll they nigh,
Tor Lee revealed to Howe the politlca
condition OF Pennsylvania, Delaware
and Virginia. and presented him with
written plan for the suhjugaton OF tn
ooui'ob Whicu phomiseu oetteI IcSul
than that of the ministry. He made
appear so plainly that land and nava
expedition up the Chesapeake and Della
ware bays would prove successful, tha
the brothers Howe abandoned the min
isterial plan and largely accepted Lees
They sailed for Chesapeake Bay with
greater part of the British army, instea
o. going up the Hudson to co.operat
with Burgoyns coming down from tn
north. Howe landed his troops on tn
shores of Maryland, marched into Penn
sylvania. gained victory on the bank
OF the Brandywine Greek, frightene
Congress from Philadelphia. took po.
session Of that city in the autumn {
l777. and held it until June, 177S Th
abandonment OF Burgoyne caused th
loss Of that Generals army and il
splendid appointments. and the ruin I
the ministerial plan.