The Daily Advertiser

The following anecdote has been communicated to us by a gentleman who was present when the transaction took place.

At the siege of Charleston, an American soldier had been bribed to convey to the enemy a plan and state of the works, ammunition, &c. After he had passed the lines he was discovered by the piquet; who, having repeatedly called upon him to return, were at length obliged to fire at him, and wounded him so that he could not proceed. Upon examining the papers with which he was charged, they were found so accurately and ingeniously executed, that General Lincoln was convinced they were the work of another hand, and offered the soldier his life provided he would discover the person in the garrison, who had employed him. This offer was rejected, with an observation that he knew the risque which accompanied his attempt, and had received an adequate consideration. The usual arrangements were therefore made for his execution, and the rope being tied about his neck, the General hoping that such terrifying circumstances might have shaken his fortitude, sent an aid-de-camp to make another tender of pardon upon the same terms. "No!" exclaimed the resolute victim, "you have my life in your power, but my honor is in my own." The signal was immediately given he was consigned to eternity under the impression of this noble sentiment; and it is remarkable, that the hangman as he descended from his duty, was killed by a shot from the British Piquet. Such conduct, however, proves the inconsistency of the human character; nor is it easy to conceive how a mind so solicitous to preserve its dignity in a matter merely personal, should have condescended to engage in a treachery destructive to public confidence and allegiance.