THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH. 



353 



in the harbor, and four hundred pieces of ordinance. General Gates had also 

 been defeated at Camden in North Carolina, seven hundred of our troops having 

 been killed in battle, and one thousand three hundred wounded and made prison- 

 ers, and the whole of his forces routed and dispersed. The Eastern States had 

 likewise been overrun by the enemy „ with fire and sword And to add to the gen- 

 eral gloom which now overspread the United States, the small army that was left 

 was reduced to the greatest distress and misery ; and nothing, it is believed, but 

 the wisdom and prudence of the immortal Washington, could have kept it to- 

 gether ; for, in the language of a committee appointed by Congress, to visit it, 

 the soldiers were unpaid for months together — seldom having more than six daj/s 

 provision in advance ; and on several occasions, for several successive days, en- 

 tirely without meat. The medical department having no supplies whatever for 

 the sick, and every department of the army being alike without money, and not 

 even the shadow of credit left. Discontent to an alarming extent, at the same 

 time among the officers and soldiers, on account of the depreciated currency of 

 the country. The pay of a private for a year, would not subsist his family for a 

 single week ; nor would the pay of an officer procure forage, or even oats, for 

 his horse. 



And in addition to these evils which fell so heavily upon the army, others not 

 less deplorable, had, by reason of the embarrassed state of the country, fallen 

 upon the community at large. For the aged and infirm, who had retired to en- 

 joy the fruits of their industry, found their subsistence reduced to a scanty 

 pittance ; and the widow and the orphan were obliged to accept a dollar, where 

 hundreds were their due. 



At this moment when all was dark, our hopes for a successful termination of 

 the war well nigh gone, when the east and the south were in gloom and doubt, 

 and fear — which " betrays like treason," — was setting on many an honest face, 

 Major Andre was sent from the British army, whose General then wished to finish 

 the war at a blow, to tamper with the low principles of Benedict Arnold ; and by 

 the strength of bribery and corruption, to pluck up his shallow-rooted patriotism 

 at once. The treason had so far prospered, that the delivery of West Point and 

 the army there stationed, was agreed upon. The plan to effect the purpose was 

 drawn up ; nay, more, the victims of deceit and slaughter, were marked out, 

 perfidy and destruction had sharpened their daggers for the march, when it 

 pleased Divine Providence to make three of our fellow citizens instruments in 

 His hand for good. 



They arrested the spy on his return to the camp. On this event, perhaps, 

 hung the destinies of our country ; if not that, certainly the lives of thusands, 

 and long years of war were involved in it. The spy was taken, and conducted 

 to the lines of the American army ; the immeasurable power of gold was tried upon 

 Van Wart and his associates — it would not do ; rewards beyond their knowledge 

 of wealth were offered them, if they would give up their prisoner — but offered 

 them in vain. Their virtues, to the honor of human nature, to the honor of re- 

 publican principles, to the honor of our country, stood the test — nobly stood it. 

 The spy was tried, and expiated his offence against the laws of nations by his 

 death, and our country was saved. 



During the whole of this excitement, so momentous and alarming, we have to 

 thank God that our country was stained by one act of treason only ; and to al- 



