Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1876 — The Kidnapping of Washington at Newburg. [ARTICLE]

The Kidnapping of Washington at Newburg.

I* was while at these headquarters a bold attempt was made to capture Washington. . Clinton was very anxious to get possession of his person, and Washington received many' letters warning him of his danger. But with all the plans that were laid, none seemed to be so easy of execution aotheone that was foiled here by the patriotism of a young lady, the daughter of onoJEtt rick, who professed to be a warm patnot, but those who knew him best looked on him with suspicion. This man and this spot were selected to effect Washington's capture. The plan proposed was to have a boat ready, and a party of Tories secreted in the wood near by, when Washington should be invited to dinner. His daughter overheard a conversation that exposed this plot, and informed Washington of her suspicions, and Mhim not to accept the invitation of ler to dinner. The dinner hour was to be-lste, so that it would be dark before the meal was over. Then the seizure was to be effected, and the captive borne off to the bosom of the Hudson. The boat, manned by strong rowers, would easily have reached the English vessels below West Point before Washington woyld be missed. In stead of declming the invitation he ac* cepted it, mi* in the idedhtime ordered a detachment of his lito-gitard to march to the place just at evening and present themselves at the door. While Ettrick was engaged in conversation with his distinguished guest, he heard their footsteps ana the low command of their leader, and, supposing them to be athe detachment of Tones, he rose and, faying his hand on Washington’s shoulder, said: “ I believe, General, you are my prisoner." • “ I believe not, sir, but you are mine,” was (the reply, as the life-guard closed around hijn. He was immediately marched oft and locked up. This threw the daughter into a paroxysm of grief. She had not anticipated such a result. She had given no positive information —simply told her’ suspicions to Washington, thinking the only result would be to make him decline the invitation. That he would kindness to him the cause of punishment to her father she did not tor a moment dream, and she besought him not to repay her fidelity to him by the imprisonment and death of her father. If it had been a mere personal matter, Washinglon wctilib deuhtipsßC hafq ,suflere4 tfq man to go un molested ;f but the blow was not aimed at him, but at his country, and this he would noir have forgiven in an on. ly son. Still, every instinct of his nature revel ted against inflicting needless suffer-, ingbn the daughter vrfio -had acted W nobly. If it had becofne known, however,'it is doubtful eve>tif Washington’s influence could have saved the wretch Whose crime was tenfold greater than that of Arnold; A drumhead court-martial and a swift death was what he richly deservea. Washington, however, kept the whole matter quiet except to a few personal friends, and after a short confinement released him on the promise that he would leave the country. To this he gladly consented, and escaped to Nova Scotia. The-secrecy which Washington maintained in regard to it for the daugh ter’s sake doubtless kept it from becoming « part of f the. history of the (met r but there is no doubt of its truth among the bld Revolutionary tjamilips of this region.—7. T. Headley, in Calaiy for July.