execution, he had, by permission, addressed a few lines to his family, but these, after his death, were destroyed by Cunningham, and the reason assigned for this was, "that the rebels should never know they had a man in their army, who could die with such firmness." The use of a bible, and the attendance of a minister were denied him; and thus surrounded by mocking lips and unpitying hearts, his noble soul took flight. It must be remembered, in measuring the character of Hale, that it was not hope of promotion, nor promise of pecuniary reward, that induced him to take the step he did. Nothing but an earnest wish to serve his country, impelled him to the course, and this circumstance removes every stigma that would otherwise hang upon him as a spy, and elevates him to the rank of a martyr. It is absurd to argue, that there is any difference between the cases of Andre and Hale. Both were apprehended within the enemy's, lines, disguised in assumed characters, and this made them amenable to the stern construction of military law. There is not a shadow of reason for elevating the character of Andre above that of Hale. Indeed, when we remember the last words of each, the American officer appears as the grandest hero of the two. "Bear witness," said Andre," that I die like a brave man." His last thoughts were selfish, and he wished only for the preservation of his own unstained honor. But the thoughts of Hale were upon his native land, "he only lamented that he had but one life to lose for his country." Several efforts have been made, at different times, to erect a monument to Hale. But it has not yet been done. In 1835, congress voted a thousand dollars towards this object, but no action has since been taken upon it. It is a trite and often quoted saying, "that republics are ungrateful." Is not this history a shameful evidence of its truth? The late Dr. Dwight penned the following tribute to the memory of Hale: "Thus, while fond virtue wished in vain to save, The pride of peace, and rising grace of war." CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN HARPER. In the month of April in 1780 it was the intention of Captain Brant, the Indian chieftain, to make a descent upon the upper fort of Schoharie, but which was prevented by an unlooked for circumstance. Col. Vrooman had sent out a party of scouts to pass over to the head waters of the Charlotte river, where resided certain suspected persons, whose movements it was their duty to watch. "It being the proper season for the manufacture of maple sugar, the men were directed to make a quantity of that article, of which the garrison were greatly in want. On the 2d of April this party, under the command of Capt. Harper, commenced their labors, which they did cheerfully, and entirely unapprehensive of danger, as a fall of snow, some three feet deep, would prevent, they supposed, the moving of any considerable body of the enemy, while in fact they were not aware of any body of the armed foe short of Niagara. But on the 7th of April they were suddenly surrounded by a party of about forty Indians and Tories, the first knowledge of whose presence was the death of three of their party. The leader was instantly discovered in the person of the Mohawk chief, who rushed up to Capt. Harper, tomahawk in hand, and observed; 'Harper, I am sorry to find you here!' "Why are you sorry Captain Brant?' replied the other. "Because' replied the chief, 'I must kill you, although we were schoolmates in our youth*-at the same time raising his hatchet, and suiting the action to the word. Suddenly his arm fell, and with a piercing scrutiny, looking Harper full in the face, he inquired Are there any regular troops in the fort in Schoharie?' Harper caught the idea in an instant. To answer truly, and admit there were none, as was the fact, would but hasten Brant and his warriors forward to fall upon the settlements at once, and their destruction would have been swift and sure. He therefore informed him that a reinforcement of three hundred Continental troops had arrived to garrison the forts only two or three days before. This information appeared very much to disconcert the chieftain. He prevented the farther shedding of blood, and held a consultation with his subordinate chiefs. Night coming on, the prisoners were shut up in a pen of logs, and guarded by the Tories, while among the Indians controversy ran high whether the prisoners should be put to death or carried to Niagara. The captives were bound hand and foot, and were so near the council that Harper, who understood something of the Indian tongue, could hear the dispute. The Indians were for putting them to death, but Brant exercised his authority to effectually prevent the massacre. "On the following morning Harper was brought before the Indians for examination. The chief commenced by saying that * Brant received an English education. he was suspicious he had not told him the truth. Harper, however, although Brant was eyeing him like a basilisk, repeated his former statements, without the improper movement of a muscle, or any betrayal that he was deceiving. Brant satisfied of the truth of the story, resolved to retrace his steps to Niagara. But his warriors were disappointed in their hopes of spoils and victory, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that they were prevented from putting the captives to death. "Their march was forthwith commenced, and was full of pain, peril, and adventure. They met on the succeeding day with two loyalists who both disproved Harper's story of troops being at Schoharie, and the Captain was again subjected to a piercing scrutiny; but he succeeded so well in maintaining the appearance of truth and sincerity as to arrest the upraised and glittering tomahawk. On the same day an aged man, named Brown, was accidentally fallen in with and taken prisoner, with two youthful grandsons; the day following being unable to travel with sufficient speed, and sinking under the weight of the burden imposed upon him, the old man was put out of the way Iwith the hatchet. The victim was dragging behind, and when he saw preparations making for his doom, took an affectionate farewell of his little. grandsons, and the Indians moved on, leaving one of their number, with his face painted black--the mark of the executionerbehind with him. In a few moments afterward, the Indian came up, with the old man's scalp dangling from between the ramrod and the muzzle of his gun. "They constructed floats, and sailed down the Susquehana to the confluence of the Chemung, at which place their land-travelling commenced. Soon after this, a severe trial and narrow escape befel the prisoners. During his march from Niagara on this expedition, Brant had detached eleven of his warriors. to fall once more upon the Minisink settlement, for prisoners. This detachment, as it subsequently appeared, had succeeded in taking captive five athletic men, whom they secured and brought with them as far as Tioga Point. The Indians slept very soundly, and the five prisoners had resolved, on the first opportunity, to make their escape. While encamped at this place during the night, one of the Minisink men succeeded in extricating his hands from the binding cords, and with the utmost caution, unloosed his four companions. The Indians were locked in the arms of deep sleep around them. Silently, without causing a leaf to rustle, they each snatched a tomahawk from the girdles of their unconscious enemies, and in a moment nine of them were quivering in the agonies of death. The two others were awakened, and springing upon their feet, attempted to escape. One of them was struck with a hatchet between the shoulders, but the other fled. The prisoners immediately made good their own retreat, aud the only Indian who escaped unhurt, returned to take care of his wounded companion. As Brant and his warriors approached this point of their journey, some of his Indians having raised a whoop, it was returned by a single voice, with the death yell! Startled at this unexpected signal, Brant's warriors rushed forward to ascertain the cause. But they were not long in doubt. The lone warrior met them, and soon related to his brethren the melancholy fate of his companions. The effect upon the warriors, who gathered in a group to hear the recital, was unexpressibly fearful. Rage, and a desire of revenge, seemed to kindle every bosom, and light every eye as with burning coals. They gathered around the prisoners in a circle, and began to make unequivocal preparations for hacking them to pieces. Harper and his men, of course gave |