The spy was taken, and conducted to the lines of the American army ; the immeasurable power of gold was tried upon Van Wart and his associates -- it would not do ; rewards beyond their knowledge of wealth were offered them, if they would give up their prisoner -- but offered them in vain. Their virtues, to the honor of human nature, to the honor of republican principles, to the honor of our country, stood the test -- nobly stood it. The spy was tried, and expiated his offence against the laws of nations by his death, and our country was saved.

During the whole of this excitement, so momentous and alarming, we have to thank God that our country was stained by one act of treason only ; and to al-

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

leviate our grief and mortification for this act, we have to offer the incorruptible integrity of three militia men in the common walks of life, (where virtue always resides,) in whose breasts all ordinary springs of action were absorbed by the love of liberty, and whose enthusiastic ardor in the cause was regulated and guided by prudence and firmness ; and we have it to say, too, that if one proud, envious, canker-hearted General had his price, our soldiers were above purchase ! -- that if treason found its way to the stronghold and the citadel, it was in the end crushed at the outposts. To commemorate this event, that posterity should not lose sight of it -- that future ages should understand it by full and satisfactory proof -- that our countrymen know how to respect and value patriotism as well as to practice it -- that they were as ready to render justice to the merits of a private soldier, as to the officer highest in rank -- and to show, too, that our Revolution was achieved by principles of the highest order, we have assembled to erect this monument.