Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-05-13
AN snecdGfe OfW8siiiMsfOn Plot
10 loihOn Him by sreen Peas.

A ~ tns'uOie Oh w waShiESf0n-Ehe Plot
10 I0isOn Rim by sIeen Peas
10 the summer of III, when tie American
amy was IN New York, youcg girl of the
city Went to her loyor, one Francis, and eom-
muoicstfd to him, ss q secret she had over
heard, plan that was in operation, among the
meu, to destroy the American commspder-
io.calef ty poison, which was to be peptifully
uluRleo with green peas, iavorite vegetable
OF his' Oh the following day, at Richmond Hill
hescquaitr', where he was to dine. Francis.
who Was thorouga Wing, although supposed
to be f'lsody to ,he royolists. went iumedi-
s1eIg to Washington aud acquainted him with
THIS dlsbol'c' plan for bis destruction. Wash.
lpeton having listened wi b atteoion, said
My frictd l thauk you. Your fidelity has
saved my lli'; to what reservc lha Almighty
Knows But now tor your ssfeiy | chatgc
you 20 fe'urn TO ycu nouSt; aud LOT not word
OF what ylu hsvo related to me pass your lips.
|; W1ulo Involve sou in cer.aiu ruiz and
II 1akVen forbid that your life should b,
forfeited or endangered by ycur faith 10
me! J. will tske the necess.ry steps 10 nre
prevent, aud, ct the Same time. DIS,
cov,r The Instrument OF this wicked device"
lhe III X! day, sb0ut two hours before dpner,
ne ut Tor cue OF his guard, told him of the
p'o', and requested that he would disguise him.
beIi as iemsle, aud 70 to che kitcheu, there
o Keep str!c. watch upon the peas uuil they
"h0ulo Dc served up for the table. Inc youug
nsD carelu'ly observed the dir r!o.loDs he had
itce'Veu, $40 bad lot been long upon bis post
oi doty before young man. another cf the
guard, ohHe a1x'5usly 10 the door OF the ki.ch
co, looked 10, AID then passed away. Ina few
monent3 after, he rotnrued and approached tho
hearth where the peas o0d, aud was shout 10
mUEe IN The deaIl? substance, when suddenly
he sGrunk back, as thoush from the stiDg of the
i1uf t0ngr7d adder; b's color casng.d TO the
pale hue OF death. and his limbs spparautly
ps!Sed With fear, eVldeutly horror struck with bis
own purpose; but soon, b0ReVer, the operation
u moro powerful lncltoment urged forward
bis reluctant hand. that trem biurly strewed
the odicus taae; sud be left the kiicbeo, over
@heImed With c>tficii5g passions, remorse,
and DDfuson.
"Hsrod sleeps DO more; the cry has reached |
hls heart ere The deed be- accomplished" said |
the youih co duty, In vooe devoid of pity, ss
ho locked unon The sell Condemned wretch.
Nv hat Harcld?' said the commauder.in- |
Chief, sorrowtulIy. upou receiving the inftrns.
uoa; can 1t DO possibe2 so youog, 30 tsjr,
=nd geDsIe. He would have bros the iss
person upon whom suspicion of that nature
Gu hav3 fallep, by right tf couotenaucs.
! hsvH done we'll, said he 10 lhe youth bef,ra
him "Go jim Jour comrades, Bnd be secret" |
ne young man w:n; accordingly; and Wssb !
lrgton re;urDed to the pi*zz,, where several I
"tlccrs were assembled smoug whom wss the
nero OF Saratcge. who Vas waiting for further !
ttders from Congress before he departed for
Capads. La few moments, dinuur was 90.
nlunc2d; sdd the Eartg was ushared into |
EanGsoWe apartment, where the sump,uous
board Tas spread, covered with all the dcioacics
Of tie season.
The commspder in chief took his seat, placing |
Gancral Gates ob his right lund. aod G.nersl
Wooster on his left. When the remainder of |
ihe oHlcers and company were seated, aud esg ,r |
10 com neocc the d1~!ss Of tho table, the ch.ef |
said, impressiTely-
"sentlsmen must request you to suspend |
your meal for few moments Lot the guard |
attend me-"
All was silence and Emszsment Tbe guard |,
entered aud formed in q line towards the upper |
END 0! the apartment.
Washington, having put on his plate apooD-
tul OF peas n1ed bis eyes stern|y upon the gull
~ msn, and ssd- |
''5hal eat of this vegetsble?'
Inc youth turned "a 9, and oecsme dreadfu'ly |
asltated, while his tcem bling lips family ut |
tered |
Il don't know"
"ohsli eat OF thest?' again demanded Wash. |
ingtor, raising some pon knife.
Hero Harold elevated his hand, IS l., by sn |
involuntary impulse 10 prevent their being
tasted. 4 chicken was then brought in, that
conclusive experiment might be made, in the !
presence Cf Al! those witnesses The animal ate !
OF the peas, and Immediately died; and the |
wretched cllmi-al, overcome with terror snd |
remofse fel! fainting. and was borne from the |
apartment.
EXCURsiONs. PICNIUs, &c.