Letters of farewell to his mother and his nearest friends were written, and the condemned man's calmness was still evinced in the exercise of his pen. On this same evening he sketched from memory, as a memento for a friend in New York, the striking view of the North River that had presented itself to him as he looked from the window of Smith's house, and figured the position of the Vulture as she rode at anchor beyond his reach. Tradition also assigns to this occasion the composition of some last verses, that were long cherished on the lips of the common people. The morning of Tuesday, October the 2d, 1780, found him with his mortal duties all performed and not afraid to die.
The prisoner's board was supplied from Washington's own table ; on this day his breakfast was sent him as usual, from the General's quarters. He ate with entire composure, and then proceeded to shave and dress with particular care. He was fully arrayed in the habits of his rank and profession, with the exception of sash and spurs, sword and yorget. The toilet completed, he laid his hat on the table and cheerfully said to the
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTEk.
guard officers deputed to lead him forth, "I am ready at any moment, gentlemen, to wait on you." Though his face was of deadly paleness, its features were tranquil and calm; his beauty shone with an unnatural distinctness that awed the hearts of the vulgar, and his manners and air were as easy as though he was going to a ball-room rather than the grave.