on the bank of the North river." The aid-de-camp departed rejoicing.

And now the patriot became "every inch" the executive officer. From his intimate acquaintance with the resources of his native state, he knew exactly where those resources were to be obtained, and their facilities for transportation, for with him everything was done by method and regularity. His orders flew in all directions. And his orders were obeyed.

Meantime, the return of the aid-de-camp to headquarters with intelligence of the promised supplies diffused a general gladness throughout the army. When the expected day arrived, many an anxious eye was turned to the road leading from the eastward to the landing on the North river.* A dust is seen in the distance, and presently are heard the cries of the teamsters, urging their fine oxen, while the heavy-laden wains groan under their generous burdens. A shout rings through the American camp, and the commander-in-chief, attended by his officers, ride to an eminence to witness the arrival of the welcome supplies.

Governor Trumbull had two sons attached to the headquarters: John, the distinguished artist, and the last of the aids-de-camp, and Jonathan, military secre

* Fishkill landing, opposite Newburgh.

↑ John Trumbull was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, in June, 1756. He commenced his career as a painter at the age of eighteen years. He had been graduated at Harvard college the previous year. His first historical composition, the Battle of Canna, was painted in 1774. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war he entered the army as adjutant of the first Connecticut regiment, and went to Roxbury, near Boston. Washington heard of his talent for drawing, and employed him to sketch a draught of the enemy's works. His success commended the young painter to Washington, and in August, the commander-in-chief appointed him his aid-de-camp. In 1776 he was in the northern department, under Gates. The following year he left the army, and resumed his profession at Boston. He went first

tary to the commander-in-chief at the siege of Yorktown.*

Among the great variety of persons and character that were to be found from time to time at and about the headquarters, was the famed Captain Molly, already mentioned in the chapter on the BATTLE OF MONMOUTH. After her heroic achievements at the battle of Monmouth, the heroine was always received with a cordial welcome at headquarters, where she was employed in the duties of the household. She always wore an artilleryman's coat, with the cocked-hat and feather, the distinguishing costume of Proctor's artillery. One day the chief accosted this remarkable woman, while she was engaged in washing some clothes, pleasantly observing: Well, Captain Molly, are you not almost tired of this quiet way of life, and longing to be once more on the field of battle?"-"Troth, your excellency," replied the heroine," and ye may say that; for I care not how soon

66

to Paris, and then to London, in 1780, and in the latter city placed himself under the instruction of Benjamin West. The political sins of his father were visited upon his head. On suspicion of his being a secret rebel agent, he was imprisoned eight months, and then banished from the kingdom, West and Copley becoming his securities. He returned home in January, 1782, and formed a connection with the army, as aid to the chief. At the close of the war he again went to England, where he pursued his profession with zeal for several years. Finally he contemplated a series of pictures illustrative of American history. He arrived in New York in 1789, and was favored with sittings by Washington and other distinguished men of the Revolution. Having collected much material, he again went to England, as private secretary to Mr. Jay, the American embassador. He returned to America in 1804, but did not remain long. He lived in England until the close of the war of 1812-'15, and then came home. He was engaged to paint four large pictures for the rotunda of the new federal capitol. These pictures occupied him seven years, and are, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Surrender of Burgoyne, the Surrender at Yorktown, and Washington resigning his Commission. He died in the city of New York on the tenth of November, 1843, in the eighty-eighth year of his age.

* See note on page 174.

I have another slap at them red-coats, bad luck to them." "But what is to become of your petticoats in such an event, Captain Molly?"-"Oh, long life to your excellency, and never de ye mind them at all at all," continued this intrepid female. "Sure and it is only in the artillery your excellency knows that I would sarve, and divil a fear but the smoke of the cannon will hide my petticoats."

The name and memory of headquarters expired not with the war of the Revolution, but was preserved in the Presidoliads of New York and Philadelphia,* where hundreds of the war-worn veterans of the days of trial repaired, as they said, to headquarters, to pay their respects, and inquire after the health of his excellency and the good Lady Washington. All were made welcome and "kindly bid to stay;" and while they quaffed a generous glass to the health of their beloved chief, the triumphs of Trenton and Princeton, of Monmouth and Yorktown, "were freshly remembered."

And poor Pat, too, reverently with hat in hand, would approach the headquarters. "To be sure, he would say, that he well knew his excellency had no time to spare to the likes of him. He just called to inquire after his honor's health, long life to him, and the good Lady Washington, the poor soldier's friend." But, taking the steward aside, with a knowing look, would observe: "Now, my darlint, if his excellency should happen to in

The federal Congress held its first session, under the present constitution, in the city of New York, where Washington was inaugurated president of the United States, on the thirtieth of April, 1789. The seat of government was removed to Philadel phia in 1790, the Congress assembling there on the first Monday in December of that year. That city continued to be the seat of government until the year 1800, when the Congress assembled for the first time in the city of Washington.

quire who it was that called, just tell him it was one of ould Mad Anthony's boys. Hurrah for Ameriky!" And repeating the shout that so often had rang above the battle's roar, the veteran would go on his way rejoicing.

It may be, in the course of human events, that upon the places at Morristown and the Valley Forge, where the soldier of liberty erected his cheerless hut, the domes and spires of cities may arise in the splendid progress of a mighty empire, but the patriotic American of that future day, proud of the fame of the Father of his Country, and glorying in the recollections of America's heroic time, will pass by the palaces of pomp and power, to pay homage to the mouldering ruins of the HEADQUARTERS.*

* There are several other buildings, besides those already mentioned, yet standing, that were used as headquarters by Washington. The best preserved of them are located as follows: near Chad's ford on the Brandywine, and at White Marsh, fourteen miles from Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania; the Hopper house, four miles south of the Ramapo Pass, an old mansion at Rocky Hill, where his farewell address to the army was written, in New Jersey; at Tappan, in Rockland county, Quaker Hill, in Duchess county, near White Plains, and at Dobb's ferry, in Westchester county; and at No. 1 Broadway, and Madam Jumel's mansion near Fort Washington, on York or Manhattan island, in the state of New York.

CHAPTER X.

MYSTERIES OF THE REVOLUTION.*

THE AMERICAN CAMP IN NEW JERSEY A NIGHT SCENE-APPEARANCE OF A STRANGERA CLERGYMAN SEEKS AN INTERVIEW WITH WASHINGTON-HIS ADMISSION TO THE PRESENCE OF THE CHIEF-WASHINGTON WARNED CONCERNING GENERAL CHARLES LEE-DOCTOR GRIFFITH-CONDUCT OF GENERAL LEE AT MONMOUTH-RIVINGTON AND SECRET SERVICETHE QUAKER LOAN-RIVINGTON FAITHFUL-SOLUTION OF THE MYSTERY-WASHINGTON AND RIVINGTON-SECRET INTERVIEW · RIVINGTON'S MANNERS AMOUNT OF SECRET SERVICE MONEY USED-ITS VALUE TO THE COUNTRY.

Ir was Saturday night, the twenty-seventh of June, 1778, when the American army, after a toilsome march in a tropical heat, halted for rest and refreshment in the county of Monmouth, New Jersey. The weary soldiers were gathered in groups, some preparing the evening meal, while others, exhausted by their march, threw themselves on the ground to seek repose. The short night of June was waning, the watch-fires burned dimly, and silence reigned around. Not so at headquarters. There lights were seen, while the chief, seated at a table, wrote or dictated despatches, which were folded and directed by aid-de-camp and secretaries, while near at hand were expresses, seated like statues upon their drowsy horses, awaiting orders; and ever and anon an officer would approach them with the words, "This for

* Published in the National Intelligencer, on the twenty-second of February, 1856. † See note on page 211.

The American army was encamped that night upon the Manatapan creek, between Cranberry and Englishtown, a few miles from Monmouth courthouse.