The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-03-07

1777, encamping his
- army in winter
Quarters, and using the & Arnold Ta-
vern" for his own bsadquartarss iii
was then owned and conducted sby
his aid and paymaster, the intrepid
Colonel Jacob Arnold, who with Ills
squadron Of Light Horse rendepes
most efficient service during the Revo-
lutionary War. Washington remained
here from the time Of his arrival On
January ;, 1777 until the nth Oh NAV.
His army was located OH and about
Fort Nonsense, and scattered from
Loantaka Valley to the farm houses
near Mendham. The weather Of this
winter was severe in the extreme.
The soldiers suffered greatly from the
excessive cold. from the want OF food,
and lack Of clothing The commander
in-chief was fully alive to the priya-
tions of his soldiers, as is fully shown
by Co private letter doubtless written
after his arrival at the Arnold IA
yern. 2 In 1t he says, Sometimes
the soldiers have been five or six days
without bread, q others, as many
without meat and two or three times
without either. The Importance to
the young Republic of the many con-
situations between Washington ana
his Generals. held in this historic
building cannot be estimated 1t is
much to be regretted no historian
with graphic pen was present 10 re-
cord the scenes that transpired within
the walls of the Arnold Tavern
during that memorial winter. From
this house issued many letters written
by Washington to Congress. to the
Governor of the newly made states,
to the patriots scattered over the
land, urging, persuading, rebuking.
inspiring, and using every Arguments
within the range of his capacious
mind, to rouse the people to the dis
charge Of duty, and to prepare for the
opening campaign. It was here that
he wrote those noble letters to Baron
Steuben. Count Pulaski, and the
Chevelier Lu Corne. Momentous
subjects were here debated, great
questions affecting the future Of the
newborn Republic, raised and left
for settlement in the coming time,
for there were wise men gathered
there, who forecasted the approach
ing glory Of the United States, and
foresaws their needs, anticipated their
extended empire, and made provision
at that early period for the growth Of
the Nation which should one day hold
in it's hands the destinies of the
world. Doubtless here was begun the
negotiations which resulted in the
acquisition by tho infant States. OF
the vast Empire beyond the Alleghen-
res, and Of the free navigation Of
the Mississippi, Lucerne was then.
even at that early period, with teem-
ing brain. with instructions from
Spain, to negotiate with the American
Congress on that subject. Here
Washington met daily with his aids
and officers to consult about the army.
To advise with Steuhen, about its dis
cipline and tactics; with LaFayette
how nearer to bring France and the
revolted colonies together. Here also
came Alexander Hamilton, though one
of the youngest officers Of the army
he had already been advanced to the
rank of colonel and gave promise of q
brilliant future DR.. j. r. Tuttle in
bis Annals of Morris County in the
war OF the Revolution, mentions an
anecdote, told him by Mr.. George p.
Mccullough. who had it directly from
General Doughty, Revoluticnary
officer, residing in Morristown:
While Washington was residing at
the Arnold Tavern, he had d man
employed to act as a spy But some
circumstance had led Ccl. Halrii-
ton to suspect that he was carrying
news to the enemy, and he determined
to make some good use OF the nsap,
Accordingly when the man called Slie
day at the Colonel's Office BIZ faurE
him very busy making out repozs of
! the condition Of the army to SO
| Commander in-Chief The report
| was made out with great minuteness
of details. Such division had SO
many men, ana such division lad
so many more, ETC., etc. Tsen tho
whole was summed up with splen-
aid aggregate at least four times Az
4 large as the actual force The coadi-
tion of the magazine was detailed
4 in the same manner. Soon after, the
suspected spy entered the Office. Cos
lionel Hamilton pretended TO have
Isolna errana, excusing himself, saying
he would be back in a few man ates
/ apparently in his haste, he had left
his report lying on his table, and no
4 sooner was he gone than the fello
glanced over its pages, and sure thgt
lhe Ind an lnvaluahle documenS
through the most fortunate tlnanoe.
poullseted it aud left for the eue1ssy