Claudius Smith; or The Orange County Tories
There is much in the career of Claudius Smith to interest the student of human nature. Whether we regard his deeds of violence as but the legitimate working of his evil propensities, in defiance of God and man, or whether we deem him in a measure fortified in his attitude toward the Whigs by his sense of loyalty to the king, we cannot deny that he displayed qualities of leadership worthy of a better cause. Had he shown a like energy and prowess at the head of a few thousand troops, his praises would have been sounded on every lip. We leave for others to draw the line between the bandit chief, whom all abhor, and the lordly conqueror, whom all affect to honor.
Claudius Smith to interest the student of human nature. Whether we regard his deeds of violence as but the legitimate working of his evil propensities, in defiance of God and man, or whether we deem him in a measure fortified in his attitude toward the Whigs by his sense of loyalty to the king, we cannot deny that he displayed qualities of leadership worthy of a better cause. Had he shown a like energy and prowess at the head of a few thousand troops, his praises would have been sounded on every lip. We leave for others to draw the line between the bandit chief, whom all abhor, and the lordly conqueror, whom all affect to honor. Claudius Smith is described as having been a man of large stature and of commanding presence; possessed of powerful nerve and keen penetration; cautious and wily; in short, he was admirably formed by nature for a bandit chieftain.
Claudius early manifested a thieving propensity, in which it is said he was encouraged by his father. The boy, on one occasion, having stolen some iron wedges, on which were stamped the owner `s initials, his father assisted him to grind the letters out. His mother, who appears to have been of a different mould, was shocked at the depravity manifested by her son; and she once said to him as though with the voice of prophecy-” Claudius, some day you will die like a trooper's horse-with your shoes on,” meaning that he would come to his death by violent means. These words of his mother seemed to rankle in the heart of Claudius; and at a subsequent period of his life he publicly recalled them under circumstances that indicated an infernal depravity, deep and ingrained, in his nature.
The topography of the country in which he resided, and the times in which he flourished, were eminently favorable for the terror to the Shawangunk region. The town of Monroe, Orange county, is entitled to the distinction of having been the residence of Claudius Smith. This and the adjoining towns abound in wild mountains with almost impregnable fastnesses, favorable alike for marauding incursions and the secreting of booty. From these inaccessible mountain haunts the robbers would swoop down upon the unsuspecting and defenceless residents of the valley, murder and plunder to their hearts' content, and escape to their retreats before assistance could be obtained. Besides, the British forces located at Stony Point and Fort Lee furnished a cover for the marauders to whose protection they could fly when hard pressed, and likewise a favorable market for stolen property; and we may add, the British frequently were known to instigate these expeditions by the offer of reward.
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