Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-06-22
CHARLES LEES TREASON.

A capital plan of the British ministry for
the campaign of 17777 was the seizure and
the occupan cy by military posts of the
Chanplsin and Hudson valleys, from St.
Johns, on the Serel, 10 the city Of New
York. The object was 10 sever the close
union between New England and the
other States, psralyze the powers of each
section, and so weaken the whole that the
sabjugation of the resisting States might
become an easy task. To accomplish this
end forces were prepared to move south
ward from the banks of the St. Lawrence,
while other forces should ascend the Hud-
son river, and these columns, meeting
near Albany, perfect the execution of the
scheme. Lieutenant General Burgoyne
commanded 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 appears
conspicuous in the series of event that
caused the evacuation of Philadelphia.
That officer was Charles Lee, the senior
Major General under Washington. He
had been an officer in the British army,
served under Burgoyne in Portugal, and
had risen 20 the rank of Lieutenant Col
onel- Hs had served under Braddock in
the disastrous conflict on the banks OF
the Nonongshela, and with Abercrombie
in the unsuccessful attack on Ticohde-
roga, about twenty years before the time
we are considering. Lee had dwet for
time smong the Mohawk Indians,
who made him chief, with the appro-
pirate name of "Boilihg Water"-for
he was a hot and ever restless man,
vain, arrogant, jealous, and quarresome.
Failing to obtain higher promotion in
the army he left the royal service, came
to America IN 1913, engaged in politics
on the side of the colonists, and wheI
the Continental army was organized he
received the commission of ajor Cen
eral. He resigned his commission in
the British army, but required Congress
TO iaemnify him against any loss which
he might sustain as consequence OF
that act. Then he began to play the
part of an American patriot; and to en-
able him to continue to do SO, Congress,
In the autumn Of 1776. loaned him up
on his own bond 10000. He vas sinp-
" An unscrupulous and selfish adventur-
er whose influence in the army WAS always
pernicious.
Proud, censorious, md disobedient,
Lee had followed Washington at dis
tance with heavy force during the per
ilous flight of the shattered American
army across New Jersey late in 1877,
pursued by the victorious troops of Corn
wallis. Washington repeatedly called
upon Lee 20 push forward and give him
strength to strike the pursuers, and be as
often omitted to obey. lie evidently de-
sired to have a disaster befall lis superior,
hoping thereby to promote his own am
bilious scheme TO become commander in
chief. He wa. not only dlsobedicnt, but
several days, after the chase had ended at
the Delaware, and CORVALLIS had relin-
quished it, Lee, yet lingering in New
Jersey suffered himself to be captured, at
some distance from his army, by n small
British army. Taken to New York, he
was used harshly at first by General Howe
rs British deserter, but very soon that
commander and his officers treated Lee
xuith 4 ol
they might for Lee revealed to Howe the
political condition Of Pennsylvania, Del
aware, Maryland, and Virginia, and
presented him with a written plan for the
subjugation of the colonies, which prom
ised better results than that Of the minis
try. lie made it appear so plainly that n
land and naval expedition up the Chesa-
peak and Delaware bays would prove
successful, that the brothers Howe aban-
doned the ministerial plan and largely
accepted Lees. They sailed for Chesa-
peak Bay with a greater part of the
British army, instead of going up the
Hudson to cooperate with Burgoyne
coming down from the north. Howe
landed his troops on the shores of Mary
land, marched into Pennsylvania, gained
avictory on the banks ofthe Brandywine
creek, frightened Congress from Phia-
delphia, took possession Of that city in the
autumn ofl777, and held it until Jure
IT'S. This abandonment of Burgoyne
caused the loss Of that generals army and
ats splendid appointments, and the ruin
OF the ministerial plan.-Ha,per's Ma
G0ziite.