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Liberty Now Has A Country Mystery Cache

Hidden : 3/16/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

“Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.”

The cache is not listed at the above coordinates.

The cache is located in the very historic Rombout Cemetery on the corner of Westview Drive and Route 52 (near the Route 52/Route 82 intersection). You may park near the cemetery in the big parking lot (site of old A&P). I have included this as a waypoint for your convenience.

You are looking for a medium sized lock n lock container with room for a log book and some small trade items.

The cache is named after Major General Marquis de Lafayette. In 1777, Lafayette purchased a ship, and with a crew of adventurers set sail for America to fight in the revolution against the British. Lafayette joined the ranks as a major general, assigned to the staff of George Washington. He served with distinction, leading America forces to several victories. In autumn of 1778, Lafayette received news that his daughter had died and requested a leave of absence to make the long journey back to France on furlough. He first traveled to Philadelphia to make his formal request before Congress. Washington, who did not want to lose Lafayette’s services even for a short time, whole-heartedly agreed to his demand. In October of 1778, he departed camp bound for Boston, where he was to board the frigate, Alliance and sail back briefly to his homeland. On his way to Boston, Lafayette rode into the town of Fishkill and there fell ill of fever. Severely sick with malaria, he could not continue on his trip to Boston. Lafayette was forced to remain in Fishkill. At General Washington’s request, he was urged to stay in Colonel Brinckerhoff’s house (the old house right next to the cemetery) to rest and receive medical care. Whenever Washington was at Fishkill he made Colonel Brinckerhoff's his headquarters. He occupied the bedroom back of the parlor, which remains the same 'excepting a door that opens into the hall, which has been cut through.' It is an old-fashioned house built of stone, with the date 1738 on one of its gables. During Lafayette’s stay at the Brinckerhoff house, Washington rode daily from his camp eight miles away to inquire about his condition, and insisted that his very own personal physician take charge of the extremely sick patient. Upon the recovery of Lafayette, Washington even sent his physician along with him on the ride to Boston just to make sure that he remained healthy. It was evident at this point of Washington’s high admiration for the young Frenchman. When Lafayette finally arrived in Boston he was handed a letter from his dear friend that said, “I am persuaded, my dear Marquis, that there is no need of fresh proofs to convince you either of my affection for you personally or of the high opinion I entertain of your military talents and merit”. On January 11, 1779 the Alliance finally set sail for France. On this return visit to France, Lafayette persuaded the French government to send aid to the Americans. After the British surrender at Yorktown, Lafayette returned to Paris. He had become a hero in the new United States of America.

To locate the cache, go to the above posted coordinates and gather some information to fill in the missing coordinates. Find the year in which the Presbyterian Middle Church was built. The number that is located in the hundreds place is the answer for “A”. The number that is located in the tens place is the answer for “B”.

FINAL COORDINATES: N 41 32.A05 W 073 52.3B1

This cache, along with many other of its type that I have placed recently, focuses on older, nearly forgotten burial plots of Dutchess County. The goal of these caches is not necessarily the length of the walk nor the difficulty of the find, but rather a simple reverence for those who came before us to shape our area.

Given this cache's venue and the need to show proper respect for it, there will be NO DIGGING REQUIRED to locate the final cache container. It is NOT located in the rock wall and is a safe distance away from any gravestone. Please DO NOT engage in any behavior that might even POSSIBLY be construed by the locals as improper, disrespectful, or sacrilegious toward the grave sites or the general area. Please leave everything (the cache as well) BETTER than it was before you arrived.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)