The story
“Among the many anecdotes told of George Washington is one of how he escaped capture in the hands of a treacherous host. The American Army was encamped near West Point, the British forces being some distance away, and at the time there was a practical stoppage of hostilities. Many nearby landowners were patriots, and they delighted in a chance to entertain the gallant leader of the army of the people There was one man who was particularly profuse in his expressions of patriotism. He shall be nameless, for his descendants are still in New York State and are persons of standing and respectability. With this individual, whom Washington frankly trusted, he frequently dined, and to all appearances was the most welcome of visitors. It was therefore, with grief and incredulity that the general received word that his genial host was a traitor, and had plotted to betray Washington into the hands of the enemy. At that stage of the contest, the blow might have been fatal to the cause of liberty.
“The general’s informant was a little darkey boy, a slave in the employ of the traitor, who by a happy chance had been able to overhear his master dickering with a British officer. His story sounded correct, but the fair-minded Washington hesitated to act upon it, knowing that to denounce the man, if he was innocent, meant his social ruin. According to the darkey, Washington was to be invited to dine with the traitor at 2 p.m., and while he was at the table, a British force was to suddenly appear and capture him. Circumstantial proof came in the shape of the invitation, but still Washington hesitated, and at last decided to make a thorough test before he acted. The general was on hand for his dinner engagement, but he was half an hour ahead of time, much to the surprise of his host. The latter detained Washington in conversation, waiting and watching for the soldiers to appear. Finally to his joy, they marched in. He dropped his deferential manner, and turning to Washington, said with a sneer, ‘General, you are my prisoner.’
“’I believe not,’ was Washington’s stern reply. ‘But, sir, I know you are mine. Arrest this traitor, officer.’ At the general’s command, the ‘British’ soldiers removed their military cloaks, and the traitor saw to his horror that they were Continentals, of the commander’s bodyguard. ‘I could not believe that he was a traitor,’ the general said afterward to some of his officers, ‘and I determined to give him opportunity to show that I was mistaken.’ The general’s ruse secured his safety, and the humble darkey, no longer a slave, lived many years, happy and well-to-do, and always commanded the high regard of The Father of His Country.”
Summary from The Moving Picture News · 10 February 1912
