( 20 ) and to return. This was done as a blind to the spy boats: Mr. Smith at the fame time had my private directions to go on board the Vulture, and bring on thore Col. Robinson, or Mr. John Anderson, which was the name I had requested Major André to affume: At the fame time I defired Mr. Smith to inform him, that he fhould have my protection, and a fafe paffport to return in the fame boat, as foon as our business was compleated. As feveral accidents intervened to prevent his being fent on board, I gave him my paffport to return by land. Major André came on fhore in his uniform (without difguife) which with much reluctance, at my particular and preffing inftance, he exchanged for another coat. I furnished him with a horfe and faddle, and pointed out the route by which he was to return. And as commanding officer in the department, I had an undoubted right to tranfact all these matters; which, if wrong, Major André ought by no means to fuffer for them. But if, after this juft and candid reprefentation of Major André's cafe, the Board of General Officers adhere to their former opinion, I fhall fuppofe it dictated by paffion and refentment; and if that Gentleman fhould fuffer the feverity of their fentence, I fhall think myfelf bound by every tie of duty and honour, to retaliate on fuch unhappy perfons of your army, as may fall within my power, that the respect de to flags, and to the law of nations, may be better understood and obferved. I have further to obferve, that forty of the principal inhabitants of South-Carolina have juftly forfeited their lives, which have hitherto been fpared by the clemency of His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, who cannot in juftice extend his mercy to them any longer, if Major André suffers; which in all probability will open a fcene of blood at which humanity will revolt. Suffer me to intreat your Excellency, for and your own the honour of humanity, and the love you have of justice, that you suffer not an unjust sentence to touch the life of Major André. But if this warning fhould be disregarded, and he suffer, I call heaven and earth to witness, that your Excellency will be justly answerable for the torrent of blood that may be spilt in confequence. I have the honour to be, with due refpect, your Excellency's Moft obedient and very humble fervant, B. ARNOLD. His Excellency General WASHINGTON. Tappan, ( 21 ) SIR, Tappan, Oct. 1, 1780. BUOY'D above the terror of death by the consciousness of a life devoted to honourable pursuits, and stained with no action that can give me remorse, I trust that the request I make to your Excellency at this ferious period, and which is to foften my last moments, will not be rejected. Sympathy towards a foldier will furely induce your Excellency and a military tribunal to adopt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of honour. Let me hope, Sir, that if ought in my character impresses you with esteem towards me, if ought in my misfortunes marks me as the victim of policy and not of refentment, I fhall experience the operation of these feelings in your breast, by being informed that I am not to die on a gibbet. I have the honour to be, your Excellency's JOHN ANDRE, The time which elapfed between the capture of Major André, which was on the morning of the 23d of Sept. and his execution, which did not take place till 12 o'clock on the 2d of October ;---the mode of trying him ;---his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. on the 29th of September, in which he faid, “I "receive the greatest attention from his Excellency General "Washington, and from every perfon under whofe charge I "happen to be placed;"---not to mention many other acknowledgments, which he made of the good treatment he received ;---must evince, that the proceedings against him were not guided by paffion or refentment. The practice and ufage of war were against his request, and made the indulgence he folicited, circumftanced as he was, inadmiffible. Published by order of Congress, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary. CHAPTER IX. ANDRE'S STATEMENT.-HIS EXECUTION.-ASSIGNMENT OF GENERAL MCDOUGALL TO COMMAND AT WEST POINT.-GENERAL GREENE ORDERED TO RELIEVE HIM. THE ARMY GO INTO WINTER QUARTERS. VISIT OF THE MARQUIS DE CHASTELLUX.-CELEBRATION AT WEST POINT OF THE BIRTH OF THE DAUPHIN OF FRANCE.-GENERAL KNOX ORDERED TO COMMAND AT WEST POINT.-MAJOR FLEMING SUCCEEDS HIM.-Removal of tHE GREAT CHAIN FROM THE HUDSON.-ATTEMPT TO RAISE THE OLD IRON IN THE SUNKEN FRIGATES.-CAPTAIN MOLLY.—The Artillerists and Engineers. -ESTABLISHMENT OF A MILITARY SCHOOL.REPAIRS ON THE FORTIFICATIONS.-REPORT OF MAJOR NIVEN.--VISIT OF LIANCOURT.WEST POINT NO LONGER OF IMPORTANCE AS A DEFENSIVE POINT. -- THESE Proceedings were not followed by the usual formality of a trial by a court-martial, nor were witnesses summoned; but the following paper, submitted by André, was placed before the Board: "ANDRÉ'S STATEMENT. "On the 20th of September I left New York, to get on board the Vulture, in order [as I thought] to meet General Arnold there in the night. No boat, however, came off, and I waited on board until the night of the 21st. During the day, a flag of truce was sent from the Vulture to complain of the violation of a military rule, in the instance of a boat having been decoyed on shore by a flag, and fired upon. The letter was addressed to General Arnold, signed by Captain Sutherland, but written in my hand, and countersigned 'J. Anderson, Secretary.' Its intent was to indicate my presence on board the Vulture. In the night of the 21st, a boat with Mr. and two hands came on board, in order to fetch Mr. Anderson on shore, and, if too late to bring me back, to lodge me until the next night in a place of safety. I went into the boat, landed, and spoke with Arnold. I got on horseback with him to proceed to *house, and in the way passed a guard I did not expect to see, having Sir Henry Clinton's directions not to go within an enemy's post, or to quit my own dress. “In the morning A. quitted me, having himself made me put the papers I bore between my stockings and feet. Whilst he did it, he expressed a wish, in case of any accident befalling me, that they should be destroyed, which I said, of course would be the case, as when I went into the boat I should have them tied about with a string and a stone. Before we parted, some mention had been made of my crossing the river, and going by another route; but, I objected much against it, and thought it was settled that in the way I came, I was also to return. "Mr. to my great mortification persisted in his determination of carrying me by the other route; and, at the decline of the sun, I set out on horseback, passed King's Ferry, and came to Crompond, where a party of militia stopped us and advised we should remain. In the morning I came with as far as within two miles and a half of Pine's Bridge, where he said he must part with me, as the Cow-Boys infested the road thencefor * Joshua Hett Smith. |