On November 25, 1783, the British were supposed to leave New York after being defeated in the revolutionary war by the colonies. The British did everything that was agreed to by the two sides, except remove their flag from Fort George. The flag stood high on a pole, and was nailed to it. The pole, which was covered in grease, had been impossible to climb in order to get the flag down, Until John Van Arsdale came. He first attempted to climb the pole but failed. He than fixed cleats to the pole and was able to get high enough to secure a ladder. He than removed the British flag and proudly placed the American Flag on top of the pole.
I think Ruffini used this story in the introduction, to give the reader a brief understanding that the Van Arsdale family had an impact on American History before Harry Van Arsdale Jr.'s time.
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