The sun., 1896-07-13
WILLIAM IT.,s ESCAPE.
Col. Ogden's Attempt TO Kidnnp Him fro
This City Was Thwarted just In Time.

Col. Ogden's Attempt TO Kidnap Him from
This City Was Thwarted just In Time.
1t may be an old story to the historian, but II
10 not very widely known outside of tho stu-
dents craft, that Queen yictoria's uncle and
predecessor. William w.. spent very pleasant
winter in this city while lad, enjoyed himself
thoroughly, and Just missed being kidnapped
by the Americans and held as a hostage. to be
used In getting good terms OF peace.
The winter that OF l7Sl-l7S2. Prince
William was a boy of 10. q mdshipman on tho
British flagship Prince George. under the es-
pecial care OF Admiral DiRby. During most of
the winter the Admiral and Prince William
Houry-it must not be imagined that he was
named after famous hotel up In this State, for
he wasn't; but that was his name, or part of it
lived in Hanover square. One of the Princes
favorite resorts WAS the kolch Pond. later called
the Collect Pond. on the site OF which the Tom bs
prison now souats. He was fond of watching
tho skaters on the pond but 1t is said that he
never learned TO skate himself. He used to SIT
on a chair fastened to q sled and have himself
pushed around the pond.
While the Prince was enjoying himself Col.
Ogden of the First New Jersey Regiment de
vised plan TO carry him off, He submitted tho
plan TO Washington. who approved it. thinking
that the Prince in captivity would facilitate the
adjustment of affairs with England. On March
2s, 1882. w Washington sent these ord ers to Col
Ogden:
SIR: The spirit OF enterprise 80 conspicuous
and Bringing Of the Prnes Wiiam " ie Hsury snd
my authority TO make your attempt in any
manner and at such time as your judgment
II am FULLY persuaded that 1t is unnecessary
10 caution you against Offering insult or indig-
nifty 10 tho persons of the Prince or Admiral.
a n n ns Tn pfn ham .
hut II may not DO Rmiss TO press the propriety
of proper line of conduct upon the party you
In case Of success, as soon you get them
TO place OF safety treat them with all possible
ing them to Congress and reporting your pro-
ceedings, with copy OF these orders.
,7sS Given ut Morristown this Ss,6 4 day Of March.
"NorE-Take care not to touch upon the
grounf Eron, which Is agreed TO TO be neqtrayiz;
ceedings. The Prince lived in Hanover square: :
street in Lord Strings old quarters. Two SEN
tinels guarded tho Princes house; II Captain
Wall street, where the Sub-iressury is ilc now "
sergeant ana twelve men were stationed at the
head Of Old slip, and another guard OF equal
Wall and Queen now Water, streets. To ham
die die the Cunrds he found found that he needed four
cludng guides. &c; besides these. one Captain
and one subaltern. three serReants. and thirty
shore at such an hour as would let them reach
Coenties Market by half past o. Az that
much u ight to interfere with the kidnappers
The order OF proceeding arranged by Col. Og-
den was as follows:
"First-Two men. with guide, seconded by
two others. for the purpose OF securing the SEN
tinsis II these semen, men to be armed With naked bay.
not to wait for anything. but Immediately exc
cute their orders.
Second Eight men. with myself, precet ed
each
each with an axe. These are for the purpose of
followed by four men entering the house and
seizing the young Prince. the young noblemen.
" fhrd-A Captain and eighteen to follow
briskly. form, and defend the house until the
business 10 finished. and retreat II half gunshot
'Fuurth,,A subaltern and fourteen, with half
OF the remaining i. boats crew and form on the
we return,the remainder of the crews to hold
the boats In the best possible position for en-
Col Ogden decided that no needod two crow
bars. TWO axes, four dark lanterns, and four
large oileloths-these last, perhaps, tn wrap
order for the retreat and one for the en- bark a.
tion. According to the latter, the prisoners.
nrst, then the guides and boatmen, then the
"su6altcrn and fourteen" and finally the
rear"
But the cup never reached the lip Almost
immedi lately after his letter OF March 20 Was h
inRton wrote TO Col. Ogden. quoting from AN
number OF hathoats were discovered. which are
said To have been intended to fire the suburbs
and in the height OF the oonhagration, 10 max q
descent on the lower part OF the city and
wrest from our embraces his Excellency Sir
Henry Clinton, Prince William Henry, and
several illustrious personages, since which
great precautions have been taken for the
security Of those gentlemen By augmenting the
guards and 10 render their persons little eI
posed as possible"
From Newburgh, on April ., 1852, Washing
ton wrote again TO Col Ogden. saying that he
had learned that the sentrIrs AT the door of
Sir Henry Clinton was doubled at eight o'clocE
every night" aud that IL was more than prob
able the same precaution extends to other per-
sonaRos In the city OF New York"
This INTEL igence knocked out Col. Ogden and
his plan. he could have handled such a num-
ber OF men as he had arranged for. but more
than that number, especially II they were 10
meet twice as many guards as he had arranged
g. meet, would be nnwleldy. So he gave up his
plan, and Prince William Henry remained un-
molested as long as he stayed here; and finally
he went home. TO become Duke of Clarence and
Lord High Admiral, and finally King William
".