when she was sent off to King's Bridge, then Gen. Mifflin's head-quarters.

Miss Margaret Moncrieffe, the heroine of the book, though really only a child in years, for she had just passed her fifteenth summer, was, in all that belongs to woman of feeling, heart or passion, fully developed, and history has recorded that a most romantic attachment sprang up between herself and Major Burr, the handsome, gallant and accomplished aid-on her part with all the fervor of her passionate nature, on his, with more caution and prudence; and that his love for her was not a supreme and reigning passion, may be assumed from the well known circumstance, that it was he who having detected her in imparting secret information to Governor Tryon, then on board the flag ship, Duchess of Gordon, lying opposite Staten Island, gave such information as caused her removal to a place where she would find other and less dangerous occupation.

It was during General Washington's absence that a plot was concocted by Governor Tryon, aided by Matthews, a well known Tory, then mayor of the city, who was residing at Flatbush, to capture General Washington, hoping thus to terminate the war by one bold blow. Margaret Moncrieffe contributed materially to the possible success of their

plans, in which the Tory residents of the city, together with many Provincials who had been bought over, had joined, by conveying secretly to Governor Tryon information as to the location and strength of the various fortifications on the island; but fuller details of the plot will be found elsewhere.

The pages which follow are derived from these two incidents—the mutual attachment of Aaron Burr and Margaret Moncrieffe, and the infamous plot of Tryon and Matthews. Every name is historically correct, save two or three introduced to fill up the story. Every incident is historical-the dress and appearance of the principal conspirators are described as accurately as could be derived from the authorities consulted, and save the main incident, that Aaron Burr was seduced from his allegiance to his country, or his devotion to her cause, by Margaret Moncrieffe, the author claims that he has woven a fiction founded entirely on facts.

Without this explanation, he would never present it for public praise or censure. With it, which is but simple justice to the best abused and most maligned man who ever filled a high and honorable station, the work must abide the decision which the public may award.

OF THE

UNIVERSITY

OF

CALIFORNIA

MARGARET MONCRIEFFE.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL PUTNAM AND AARON BURR.

It was a pleasant morning on the 31st day of May, 1776-not exactly morning, for the sun had passed the meridian nearly an hour-General Putnam was seated in the apartment on the lower floor of his head-quarters, at No. 1 Broadway, which he had appropriated as an office for the transaction of all his official business-the reception of reports, the issuing of orders, and all the details which belong to the position of Commanderin-Chief of the troops which then garrisoned the city of New York, some thirteen thousand in number.

He held his position by reason of the absence of General Washington, who had been summoned by the Congress, then in session in Philadelphia, to consult with the members of that august body (alas! how sadly and woefully changed), with reference to the suspected movements of the British fleet, under Admiral Howe, which

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convoyed transports containing an army of some twenty thousand regulars and Hessians, under the command of Lord Howe, and which had recently left the waters of Virginia. It was supposed that their next point of attack would be the city of New York, and orders had been given to fortify the island at every accessible point.

General Putnam was seated, or rather lounging on a hair-covered mahogany sofa, elaborately carved, and studded with brass nails-then, no doubt, thought to be a superb piece of furniture—and was holding in his hand an open letter which he had just perused.

At a large oval table which stood in the centre of the room, and which was covered with papers lying about in disorder and confusion, was seated a young man, dressed in the blue and buff uniform of the day, such as was worn by the regular troops (when they had any to wear). His sword lay on the floor beside him, and his chapeau had been placed on the other side. He could not have been more than twenty or twentyone years of age, for his countenance was almost boyish. His face was oval, with a broad, expanded forehead, white as snow, where it had been covered by his hat-his complexion pale, but not sallow, though somewhat bronzed by exposure-his nose was beautifully shaped, and of just proportion to his face-his mouth closely cut, and evincing a spirit of determination and perseverance, fully borne out by the history of his after