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Chapter III
Important Incidents of the Revolution
and Later History of Manhattan. New York Government at Sea—Plot to Assassinate Washington—Shocking Barbarity of English Officers—Hale and André, the Two Spies—Arnold in New York—British Evacuation—The Burr and Hamilty Tragedy of 1804—Robert Fulton and the “Clermont“—Public Improvements of 1825.
Plot to Assassinate Washington
About the 24th of June, 1776, a most barbarous plot was discovered among the tories of New York, including the Mayor and several of General Washington''s guards. The plan was, upon the approach of the British troops, to murder Washington and all the staff officers, blow up the magazines, and secure the passes of the town. About five hundred persons were engaged in the conspiracy, and the Mayor acknowledged that he had paid one of the chief conspirators £140, by order of Governor Tryon. One of the soldiers belonging to Washington''s guards being convicted was executed in the Bowery, in the presence of twenty thousand spectators. Severity to the few was doubtless mercy to the many. |
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