It was a time of expectancy, and also of terror.
Why of terror?
It was known that Rochambeau had landed at Newport, and was coming to Lebanon—it was in the air. He would stop at Newport, and it was believed that Washington would go there to meet him. Washington might go by way of New London and Lebanon or over the great turnpike road of Massachusetts and Connecticut; but whatever way he might take, it was believed that he would stop in the hidden Connecticut town.
One day a courier had come to the alarm-post.
“Are the ways guarded?” he asked. “There is a plot to capture Washington if he makes a progress to meet Rochambeau.”
“Let us go to the war office and consider the matter,” said the Governor.
“If the matter is serious, I will bring it before the Committee of Safety.”
They considered the matter. The Governor was alarmed, and he said to Peter:
“Leave the store and go back to your post on the by-road.”