The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1897-05-29

highlands of the Hudson to the Raritan.
but the army, though much depleted
by assertions and the expiry Of terms
of enlistment, emerged from its snow
drifts in the spring ready for active serv-
ice against the enemy. Mutiny and de-
sertion were met by Washington with
stern punishment, and two soldiers were
hanged for the former offense at Norris
town. He ragged also against the pecu-
lative and money making spirit rife in
the country, writing:
II would to God that some one of the
most atrocious in each state was hung
in gibbets upon a gallows five times as
high as the prepared by Hamanl No
punishment, in my opinion. is too great
for the man who can build his greatness
upon his country's ruin"
And that he would have made short
shrift with Spectators and contractors
who supplied shoddy garments and rot
ten food to his suffering soldiers, if he
had the power, no one doubts. The rig.
ors of war at headquarters were some
what softened by the arrival of Mrs.
VhSHluStOH. WIN udu dlSO D6bu I'LL dURSl
of mercy at Valley Forge and other can
tonments, and several subscription balls
were arranged, at which the wife of the
commander in chief was chaperon to
some very attractive young ladies'.
1t cost the country something to have
the wife of Washington with him at the
various headquarters (some 40 or more
in all), as appears from an item in his
expense account rendered to congress-:
"To Mrs. Washington's travelling ex-
penses in coming to and returning from
my winter quarters; the money to de-
fray which being taken from my private
purse, and bro't with her from Virginia
Pounds, 1864, 10s."
But as the commander in chief had
refused to receive any compensation for
his services from the very outset he was
at least entitled to his expenses, both
ordinary and extraordinary.
1t was while in Morri ,town that the
commander was visited by the French
minister and aSpanish envoy, Don Juan
Miralles, who brought a letter from the
governor of Havana, and who had come
ostensibly for the purpose of enabling
the Spanish government to reach a con-
~clusion as to the wisdom and propriety
Of recognizing or aiding the new repub-
lie. Spain was at that time coquetting
with congress (even as our congress is
now coquetting with Cuba) and had lit
tie disposition to negotiate an alliance,
except on the basis of exclusive right to
navigate the Mississippi and acknowl-
edgment of her claims in Florida.
Washington did not, probably, coincide
with the opinion expressed by Gouvern-
eur Morris, who wrote, Everybody
knows that the rapidity of the MISSISSIPPI
pi current will forever prevent ships from
sailing up it" But, although he could
not predicate the steamboat, yet he be-
lieved that true diplomacy should leave
the matter of navigation open for future
negotiation. But Don Juan's mission
was suddenly terminated by his death,
in April, 1880, and he was buried in
the local cemetery with such wealth of
diamonds on him that it was considered
necessary to post a guard above his
grave. The French fleet, with the Count
de R~ochambeau. arrived in July, and
Washington went to Hartford to consult
with the commander about a plan of
campaign. 1t was while absent on this
mission that the treason of Arnold was
disclosed by the arrest and confession Of
Major Andre, the news of which met
him on the return journey. Prompt ac-
tion was necessary to save West Point
and its valuable stores from the loss to
which the traitor had exposed it. and
Washington's return was not a moment
too soon to checkmate the British scheme
ind save his posts. He strengthened
them all as we'll az he was able, and the
British commander gained absolutely
nothing from Arnold's detection and
Andres ignominious death. But with
an empty military chest and q barren
commissariat it was Their impossible for
Washington to engage in an active cam
paign.