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194 mentioned that Mrs. Beekman had taken charge of his valise, and told what its contents were. Smith had evidently overheard and Major Andre being of the same stature and form as Lieutenant Jack, the scheme to steal the American officer's uniform as a disguise for the spy had immediately taken form, Lieutenant Webb was deeply grateful to Mrs. Beekman for the prudence which had protected him from the dire result of his own folly, had saved his property, and had prevented an occurrence which might have caused a train of national disasters.

Many of Mrs. Beekman's letters written during the war breathed the most ardent spirit of patriotism. The wrongs she was compelled to suffer in person, and the aggregation of wrongs she witnessed on every side aroused her just indignation. Her feelings were expressed in her many and frequent prayers for the success of the American armies. Although surrounded by peril and disaster she would not consent to leave her home; her zeal for the honor of her family and her country inspired her with the courage that never faltered and caused her to disregard the wrong she so continually had to bear.

The energy of mind which characterized her through life was evinced on her deathbed. Calmly and quietly, bearing much suffering, she awaited the coming of that last enemy, whose nearer and yet nearer approach she announced unshrinkingly to those about her. When it was necessary to affix her signature to an important paper, and being supposedly too weak to write, she was told that her mark would be sufficient, she immediately asked to be raised, called for a pen and placing her left hand on the pulse of her right, wrote her name distinctly. It was the last act of her life. She looked death in the face with the same high resolve and strong will with which she had been wont in her lifetime to encounter losses and terrible enemies. It was the strength of Christian faith which thus gave her the victory over the "King of Terrors."