Beeckman to take charge of his valise, which contained his new uniform and a sum of gold. ' I will send for it,' he added, ' in a few days ; but do not deliver it to anyone without a written order from me.' A fortnight after his departure, Mrs. Beeckman saw an acquaintance, Joshua Smith, (whose loyalty to the national cause was doubtful.) ride up to the house, and heard him ask her husband for Lieutenant Webb's valise. Mr. Beeckman was about to comply with his request, when his wife advanced and demanded a writ-

BEE&.MAN MILL, MT. FLEASANT.

1,532.

THE TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT.

ten order before she would relinquish her custody of it. Smith replied that he had none, the officer having had no time to write one; but added: 'You know me very well, Madam; and when I assure you that Lieutenant Webb sent me for the valise, you ought not to refuse to deliver it to me, as he is in very great need of his uniform?' Mrs. Beeckman had conceived a great dislike for Smith before this; his known sympathy with the royalist cause being in marked contrast to her enthusiastic devotion to the colonies; and influenced by it, she determined to hold on to her charge until a written order of undoubted genuineness should compel her to surrender it. Smith was vexed at her doubts; but his entreaties had no effect on her resolution; and disappointed at the illsuccess of his effort, he rode away. The result proved that he had no authority to make the application ; and it was subsequently ascertained that, at the very time of this attempt on his part to secure the uniform, Andre" was concealed in his house. After Andre's capture, the Lieutenant called in person for his valise, and bore a message from Washington, thanking Mrs.