Year: 1859

The fatigue of the journey and the excite
ment of being taken prisoner had overcome
nature, to such a degree that Joshua slept
soundly until late in the afternoon. 1t
was not until he was rudely shaken by the
shoulder that he reused up sufficiently to re-
alize his situation. To his surprise number
of soldiers, with muskets in their hands, stood
around him. After recovering from his sud
den fright Joshua inquired the reason why he
was detained prisoner. He stated that he
belonged to a respectable family in Delaware,
who would not be guilty Of committing any
offence against the cause of freedom and that
If they would give him an opportunity he
would prove to their satisfaction, that he was
nothing more than what he actually appeared
TO boa young, unsophistocated quaker
But arguments to these men, had but little
effect. It was their province to obey, not
command. The young mans hands were
pinioned by the guard and he was marched to
the State House, where court was assembled
to give him a trial. In the days of the Revo-
luton there were no unnecessary preliInin-
aries in trials of public character; conse-
quently the young quaker was arraigned and
the Court proceeded to business. The princi-
pal officer inquired the name and residence OF
the prisoner; who answered in firm and dis
tinct voice ''My name is Joshua Way Of the
State Of Delaware


"Your business Mr.. Way ifyou please Y
suggested the officer. ~ live with my father
and work upon the farm"


"How came you so far from home, in these
troublesome times, without the password that
would insure you to travel, the roads, with
out molestation, or the danger OF placeing
your life and liberty in jeopardy"


aFriend, have no knowledge ofpass-words,
neither do know anything about the append
ages of war my business required my pres
ence in this city, to-day, and came in haste
knowing that republican troops occupied the
place made no hesitation inenteringit; little
dreaming that would be taken prisoner fol
my temerity." "What might your business
be, Mr.. Way, that required your travelling all
night and entering our camp contrary to the
rules of warp MY business, friend, cannot
be made public. Ii is of no Importance to
subordinate officers, 40 matter how much II
may concern the Commander in Chief" This
answer was anything but satisfactory to the
officers composing the court. Their ingenuity
was brought in requisition, in tic futile en-
deavor to drain out something that would lead
to the real object ofthe visit fthe young peak'
er But everything that they could contrise &c
produce this result was failuer. AT length,
the prisoner, fearful that something might
slip, from his lips, that would lead to be-
trayel of his secret, assumed dogged silence
Every effort to unlock the young mans heart
having proved a failure, and the evidence Of
his having been found IN the midst OF the
camp without the password were suihcient II
those times to warrant a conviction. The
circumstances were certainly against him and
there was not a single individualit. the whole
camp, to which he could apply, to l'rove his
identity. The court was not long in making
up its mind and rendering a verdict. An OIL
ficer ordered Joshua to stand up and uncov,el
his head. The young man mechanically rais-
ed himself, upon his feet, but obstinately re-
fused to remove his beaver. This was done
by subordinate who very uncermoniously
pitched it into corner of the room upon the
floor Without the moveing of a muscle JOS
hua stood erect before the men of authority
and was adjudged guilty of being a spy and
entering the American camp in Disguise
Without murmer he stoically controlled his
feelings and remained mute. The presiding
officer arose, with some dignity, and inquired
il he could show any reason why sentence
should not be passed upon him. Joshua said
he had but few words to say-in fact nothing
in palliation of any imaginary offence that
men said he had committed. For on that
score his concience was clear. The latter part
of his speech is somewhat characteristic of
the society to which he belonged and of no
doubt will be of interest to the reader. 1t
was to this effect


ITO attempt to say one word, in my de-
fence would be, in fact, partial acknowledge
ment that have committed a crime which
will never do even though thou shouldst take
my life. II there is one thing that pride
myself in more than another it is truth
Friends have told thee that my business
was not thine, that came to this City not as
a secret spy to get knowledge Of thy weak
ness and convey the intelligence to that man
Of war, Howe, and in SO telling think that
thee shouldst be satisfied and let me depart
in peace. Surely thou art not afraid Of
single individual, in city where thousands
Of men are armed, and upon the alert for
every emergency. A simple lad of apeaceful
sect cannot do much harm amid such hosts Of
soldiers even if he were disposed soto do
In louder and more emphatic tone the Qua.
ker continued: can assure thee that my
presence in Philadelphia cannot much injure
the republican cause and probably it may
greatly benefit it but be the consequences
what they may no man shall know the cause
Of my visit unless it be General Washington
himself. At this declaration the Court seeni-
ed very much surprised and majority oi
whom would willingly have postponed the