My father at first declined the offer, but they persuaded him to accept, saying "If it does you no good, it can do you no harm and you had best take it." After my father's escape from imprisonment at New York, General Washington invited him to dinner where he met a large board of officers, convened, as he soon after discovered for the purpose of persuading him to become a spy. The proposition was made as soon as the cloth was removed and rejected instantly with indignation. Washington and his officers then tried to appease him and to accomplish their

xiv INTRODUCTION

designs by encomiums upon his abilities and by flattering appeals to his patriotism. They urged the need the public stood in at that moment of a confidential agent to reside with the enemy, they stated the exalted opinion they enter-tained of his fidelity and address, they declared that they, considered him the very man who would make the sacrifice required to serve his country, and that he might designate his own terms and name any sum for compensation. He replied that he was willing to do anything for his country that is just and right, but would not forfeit his good name by acting in the dishonorable capacity of a spy; that he was willing to sacrifice anything for his country but his honor. Upon their urging him again to comply with their proposition, he rose from the table, expressed how much his feelings were hurt to think they had not a better opinion of him and took his leave. The proposal disgusted him so much that he left the service for a while and kept a school on Long Island. The bold stand he always took on all questions involving principle created for him warm friends and enemies.