The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-31

of1du rttCOs
ing had practically ceased Prom scs cf
pensions and bounties had long failed 10
bring recruits even for short enlistments.
"The stringent action Of the General
Assembly IN consequence. was referred
10. and tho announcement December Is,
l7s0 by Richard Henry Lee. 10 Theo-
derrick Bland. ia Congress OF the pas
sage Of an act 10 raise 300 men for the
war by $1,000 bounty IN hand, together
with 300 acres and an abIe-bodied negro
AZ the end OF the war. Tho complications
resulting from the addition Of the saw
age 10 the civilized foe. was alluded to.
A STRONG STATEMENT
while Virginia was thus preOccupied.
Sir Henry Clinton at New York receives
letter from Colonel Balfour in South
Carolina. addressed 10 General Leslie at
Portsmouth which had fastened this lat
fer generals departure FOR the South a
somewhat sensational statement I'm this
letter as 10 the condition OF CORVALLIS
affairs. determines Clinton 10 aim another
blow az Virginia. Brieadier-General
Benedict Arnold was entrusted With this
service a fact that afterwards furnished
% perhaps not unneeded spur 20 patrio-
TIC resistance
The details OF Arnod's embarkation
and the extent Of his force were given
briefly and the fact stated that on
December 20th. Arnold issued an order
against depredations iu the country
where the expedition was bound 20. and
in the most forcible terms and strongest
manner called upon the officers 10 second
his intentions and the commander-in-
chiefs orders I'm this respect. The two
specific objects defined en- Clntons orders
10 Arnold. as included I'm the general
purpose of divcrting the resources Of Nir-
ginia from Grecne's army in North Caro-
lima We're defined. on the Dist the expcdi-
tion of nifty vessels sailed from Sandy
Hook was dispersed by 20 violent gale.
and ro-assenblod on tho 2fth ard 9th Off
The capes Of Virginia. on December Goth
twenty vessels arrived iu the
Chesapeake. By che 90fh the feet had
assembled lacking three transports. one
armed vessel and about 800 troops. Ar
n0id's pr0mptness in pushing 40 the
James was remarked upon as ilIustrlt-
irg HIS characteristic impctuosity. Ar
uold's arrival ar Westover. and advance
90 Richmond then "a mere village. 10
gother with important details were re-
farrad Zoo couciseiy and clearly
RAISING THE MILITIA
"It seems certain" said Mr. I.assitor.
from contemporary accounts that Los
sing. Sloane and other writer's have oX-
aggerated the injury inflicted upon Rich
mond by this incurslon. The fact that
an opportunity for brilliant retaliat1r-
stroke was missed ON the way back e.
Wost0ver was commented upon. and his
arrival there" The LECTURER then return
Cd 20 Mr jefferson whom said he we
lcn on Christmas day busted with the
details Of Cl1rkes expedition to the
northwest" The conveyance 20 him Of
Tn. news Of the hostile fleet was nar-
rated Everything is now activity
said Mr.. Lassiter Stauben asks for 1850
militia. and jefferson writes. eve mean
90 have 1900 militia I'm he field" The dee
tails of the raising of force were 80 en-
I'm spirited style bv Mr. Lassiter. The
leading events IN the conflict between
the forces were also presented. the facts
being permitted by the lecturer 90 speak
for themselves and assurediy they
snoke-el0Qucntly "Mr jefferson" said
he. apropos OF that gentlemnns quail
fcatlons t0 meet his arduous responsible
tiles "cau never Doe charged with lack
of industry. His active mind ranges
every department OF affairs
Perhaps the multitude of his responsi-
biities injure the quality of the per-
formance of his higher function. Ger
tainly SIR no wGi-ordered government
would such details be expected from the
Chief Magistrate His voluminOus cor
rcspondence ranges from pressing
search for pack thread and zone good
blacksmith Ia white mani, TO diplomatic
correspondence with the French Minis
ter. Congress. the cOmmander-ln-chief
and State and foreign governments.
daughter. lie IS engaged in contro-
vcrsy with Governor Lee Of Maryland
as 20 which STATE shall support The pris
oners Of the Saratoga Convention. and as
to the disposition OF the specific quotas
OF Virginia under the continental requisi- |
ti0in Of November. 1850. At the same
time ne writes 90 the continental quar- |
termaster that he has "scnt 90 Frede- |
ricksburg for camp-kettles." Naughter) |
PINCHED FOR FUNDS
Summarizing, the State of affairs I'm |
Virginia at this poriod-"Finally" said |
Mr. Lassiter there is not a dollar, even |
OF paper money left IN the Treasury.
and on January 25d, tse Legislature is !
summoned 10 convene on the Lrst day of |
March"
with the establishment Of Arnold at /
Portsmouth. the campaign ia Virginia |
may Dee properly said 20 have opened. !
The struggle waXed IN interest gradually |
tt awning 1873 Htt ftt' it ttf tiffAt 'ttttt ga t
on both sides and eliminating at York
town.
TO us who far four generations have
intuitive.y understood Benedict Arnold |
and Judas Iscariot 60 De terms syn0ny-
nous With unspeakaole business. small
change Of focus is necessary" said Mr. |
Lassiter. Ito comprehend our forefathers
contempt for rhe historic character. Mr.
Jefterson's weii-known letter VI January
Ilst 10 General Muhlenberg. was. how
ever, referred 90 as throwing a curious
light upon contemporary passion.
That a phlOs0phic statesman. such as
Jefferson, said Mr.. Lassiter. should have
aiken such measures for the punishment
n a crime ecyatcs the criminal 20 all
most satanic proportions. while dciract-
ng from the dignity OF the magistrlcy |
md Of justice.
More blighting than sentence OF court
martial, more salutary than physical exc
luton is the fatidic judgment that left
Arnold gnwhipped Of human justice. but
pillaricd IN eternal shame" (Applausc
loud and proi1asepy
Mr.. Lassiter followed the campaign so |
memorable in the history OF the State |
With a citation Of historic fact delight
ully presented. without undue dinuse-
less. and from start 10 finish he retain
d the keen interest OF as discriminating |
IN audience as ever gathered In the hall |
lpon his conclusion vigorous applause |
rave eXproggfou 10 IL. sentiments