His correct answers and prompt advice, when consulted upon the military routes to be traversed, his rapid and accurate perception of heights, and distances, and his sagacity in pointing out the proper direction for the various columns of the army to take through the impediments of the country, made a strong impression upon the principal officers, both French and American; and Rochambeau said to him, - "Oakley, nature designed you for the leader of an army." He always possessed a nice sense of what was due to him-self as a man of honor. When the combined forces retired from Westchester on their way to Yorktown, Washington invited him to dinner at headquarters, where he met several of the superior officers, convened, as he soon afterwards dis-covered for the purpose of persuading him to go below as a spy. Accordingly, as soon as the cloth was removed, the proposition was made to him by the American commander, and rejected instantly and with indignation. The officers present then joined Washington, in endeavouring to pacify this unexpected outbreak of displeasure, and after some time had elapsed, the whole party renewing the subject, made

THE WESTCHESTER GUIDES 91 another attempt to accomplish the object which had brought them together. They urged at much length, that at that particular moment, the good cause stood in great need of a confidential agent to reside with the enemy for special pur-poses; they expressed the exalted opinion entertained by them of his fidelity and address; declared that of all the persons they could think of he was the one best fitted for the required service, and concluded by appealing to his patriotism, for the sacrifice of all feelings that stood in the way of his consent. He replied that he was ready at all times to do whatever was just and reasonable in the cause in which they had all em-barked: that if his country required it, he would surrender for her sake, everything he possessed except his honor, but that he would not forfeit his good name by acting in the infamous capacity of a spy.