north, in the most minute articles of daily use by retail. With great natural facilities, and the invincible enterprise of the citizens, the prosperity of Troy must go on, increasing with a rapidity equal to that, at least, of the last ten years.

LETTER VII.

Revolutionary Reminiscences-Tree near the Academy-Execution of Strang and Palmer-Gen. Putnam's memorable Letter-Circumstances which led to the capture of Major Andre-Vignette on the bills of Westchester Bank, &c.

Peekskill, December 4th, 1835.

DEAR P.-In September, while on a visit to this place, I gave a few rambling sketches of men and things. Among other matters, I alluded to the Academy, and its beautiful and commanding location; gave the inscription from Paulding's monument, etc., but neglected noticing the many interesting revolutionary associations connected with the place. Now as every thing relating to the revolution, that resulted in the establishment of our Independence, possesses an interest entitling it to attention, I cannot, while on the very spot so fraught with these reminiscences, forego the pleasure of alluding to what can never become dull to the ear of patriotic Americans.

But two miles from the village stands the dwelling occupied by Washington, while the American army were encamped in this place. The majestic tree near the Academy, on which Strang was hanged for some misdemeanour, still remains; and here

too is the place where Palmer, the American tory, was executed, by order of Gen. Putnam, whose memorable reply to Gov. Tryson, who wrote for his release, threatening vengeance if he were executed, deserves an enduring record. It brieflyemphatically unfolds the true character of that distinguished hero. The note runs thus :

"Sir-Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your service, was taken in my camp as a spy; he was condemned as a spy; and you may rest assured, sir, he shall be hanged as a spy. I have the honour to be, &c.

"ISRAEL PUTNAM. "P. S.-Afternoon. He is hanged."

Not the threats of the British Governor, or the entreaties of Palmer's wife, could change the purpose of the determined General. I am informed by an old inhabitant of Peekskill, that the man who led Palmer to the gallows afterwards married his widow, and that a child of this union still survives.

I have before alluded to the capture of Andre, by Paulding and his associates; but there is a traditionary circumstance, which occurred in Peekskill, or rather in Courtland, of which Peekskill is the principal village, that placed Major Andre in the path of the captors. For the facts connected with this tradition, I am indebted to R. E. Ward,

Esq. It seems that in the autumn of 1780, a farmer of this village was making cider, having been for a few days released from his country's service to follow his agricultural pursuits. The mill in which he was at work was situated on the east bank of the Hudson, near that part of Haverstraw bay, called "Mother's Lap." While busily employed in the manufacture of his cider, two young men (Sherwood and Peterson) with their muskets, (the usual accompaniment in those days,) approached the farmer, and after passing the usual salutations, and refreshing themselves with the new cider, seated themselves upon a log that lay near the mill.

The farmer observing them in close conversation, and looking very intently on some distant object, asked them the cause of their alarm and anxiety. "Hush," speaking low, says Sherwood, "the red coats are about us."

"Where?" asked the farmer, in a whisper.

Yonder, yonder, just within the Lap," answers Peterson, pointing at the same time to a spot where was an English gun-boat, with twenty-four men laying upon their oars. "Return to your mill," he added; and addressing himself to Sherwood, "we will crawl to the bank of the river, and give the red boys a shot."

Peterson and Sherwood drew near the margin of the Hudson, and placed themselves behind a large

rock, which was directly between them and the gun-boat. Here, after reconnoitring the situation of the gun-boat, and examining their guns, they fired upon the crew, and killed two persons. The soldiers that manned the gun-boat belonged to the British sloop of war Vulture, which lay at anchor in the Hudson, off Teller's Point. Not expecting to meet with the enemy, they had prepared themselves with no weapons of attack or defence, except a blunderbuss. This they hastily fired towards the shore, but without giving it any particular direction, and of course, without producing any effect. Quickly perceiving that all their efforts to defend themselves must be unavailing, as they were contending with a hidden foe, they put their boat about as speedily as possible, and proceeded towards the Vulture, presuming that its heavy arms would secure to them a far better protection from rebel outrage, than their own small blunderbuss. In proceeding back to the Vulture, they kept a proper distance from the shore, for the purpose of evading all further annoyance from the rebel muskets. The retreat was made good, and as the sun was just losing himself behind the towering mountains that border the Hudson in the vicinity of Haverstraw bay, the disappointed sailors might have been seen lifting themselves up the side of the Vulture.

Peterson and Sherwood remained in their place