V IN DICATION
O F T H E
C A O S O F A O AND PT R M J R RE.
C O N G R SS H O U S O F R P R E S N A I V S E E E E T T E .
J A N A R Y 1 3 1 8 1 U , 7 .
P LL R r MR . CHA PE made a ep o t unfavourabl e of to the petition of John Paulding, &one the citizen s who captured the British Adjutant Gen
r d u eral Major And e , ring the late Revolutionary
Wa r r of th e n , ) who p ays for an increase pensio allowed to him by government in consequence of that service . “ A debate of no little interest arose on this W question , the early part of hich our reporter did not hear .
Mr . Wright moved to reverse the report of h the committee , and to declare t at the prayer h of t e petitioner ought to be granted . W The report was opposed by Messrs . right, n a nd S o f Md . mith , Gold , Forsyth , Robertso ,
Sh r a p, on the ground of the importance of the 1 0
s r s his a the e vices of this per on and comp nions ,
th e magnitude of the virtue they displayed , and j ustice o f making such an addition to th e pen w t sion allowed to them, as should keep pace i h the dep re ma tion of money since th e amo u nt o f
r r that pension was established . The epo t was
r J ew itt suppo ted by Messrs . Chappell , , Tall
r on o f madge , and Picke ing, the injustice legis
o n o f r lating a single case pension for se vices , h h b u t whic were , in fact, t ough important, the
u o f r common d ty eve y citizen , and in which no disability was incu rr ed ; whilst there were many
u r r o f s vivo s the Revolution , whom the favour of no t the government had distinguished , and w ho n r are la guishing in obscu ity and want, and to whom no relief had been or would be ex tended .
What gave interest principally to the debate, of Con was the disclosure , by Mr . Tallmadge n ecticut f th e , &an o ficer at time , and command ing the advance guard when Major Andre was
in o f V of of brought , ) his iew the merit this
r r t ansaction, with which history and the reco ds of the country hav e made eve ry man familiar .
o f v n t The value the ser ice he did o deny, b ut on o f o f , the authority the declarations
r Major And e , &made while in the custody of d Colonel Tallma ge , ) he gave it as his opinion h that, if Major Andre could ave given to these fo r his s men the amount they demanded relea e ,
n o r he never would have been hung for a spy,
’ s in captivity on that occasion . Mr . T s tate
w a s m n u r t ment i tely ci cums antial, and given with exp ression s o f his individual confidence in
s h r u t its correctne s . Among ot er ci c ms ances ,
’ h e h d stated , t at when Major An re s boots were
off the m it a r h fo r r taken by , was to se c plunde ,
r s r s in and not to detect t eason . The e pe son ,
r o f of w ho deed , he said , we e that class people passed between both armies ; as often in one
t he m et camp as other, and whom, had he with
h h e sh r h a re t em , ould p obably as soon ave pp
r w hended as Majo Andre , as he had al ays made
it a rule to do with these suspicious persons . The conclusion to be drawn from the whole of ’ i s Mr . Tallmadge s statement, of which this a
r s ha d b ief abstract, was, that the e persons bro ught in M ajor Andre only because th ey should p robably get mo r e for his apprehension than his rel ease . “ This statement w a s received with surp rise ’ r a s dr s r s and inc edulity, to Major An e cor ectnes , by the gentlemen on the other side of th e ques
r w a s tion . It was very extraordina y, it said , that at a day so much neare r t he t ran saction
h th e h r s d u t an at present, t e e had exi ted no o bt
th e s r ss a s r ub on ubject, and Cong e , a ma k of p lic g ratitude for their hono urable conduct on 1 2
t this important occasion, set led on these per
s ons pensions for life . Though testimony w a s t rongly stated b y one o f the gentlemen &Gen ’ e ral Smith) to M ajor And r e s high characte r and
w a s honour, it was impossible, it said , that the character and conduct of the men should have
d so ff been at this day represente , yet di erently d . sub epicted The statement of Major Andre , je ct as it must have been to be discoloured by th e m isapprehensions o f the character and mo t iv es of Americans, among whom patriotism
r w a s pervades eve y rank in life , it urged , ought
i no t h to have no weight, ndeed it ought to ave
f on been mentioned , in competition with acts
r dur reco d , and established by full investigation,
- of W w h o ing the life time General ashington, certainly kne w all the circumstances of the
r t ansaction . Though this topic made a prominent figur e
the sa h in debate , it is perhaps proper to y, t at the question was decided on the gro und taken
th e r a s in eport, and above stated having been urged in the debate in fa vo u r of it . th A motion was made by Mr . Forsy , &and t o r u r lost, ) postpone the repo t, to give f rthe time to examine th e correctness of the ex tra o r dina r w h h a d re y vie of the subject, w ich been p sented b y Mr . Tallmadge .
w a s so It moved to amend the resolution , a s to direct the committee to report a bill for inc reasing the compensation of th e other two
o f r surv 1 v 1n of the captors Major And e yet g ,
th e r h w a s as well as of petitione , w ich motion d negative . Th e que s tion on the reversing t he r epo rt of the committee w a s decided in the negative ;
5 3 80 o r 9 0 . ayes , noes “ u u Mr . Little having made an uns ccessf l mo tion to postpone the furthe r conside ration o f
t h e t he h h report , in ope t at a full examination
would be made o f the question to - day raised as
h s m s r to the merits of t e e men, who hi to y de
r u r scribed as pure and inco r ptible pat iots, and w hom b e fully believed to have been so ” The report w a s agreed to .
r Fr o A ) Yor/ o r i er Febr ua r 1 8 1 81 — M m the ea c C u 7 r. , y , ,
i he B a rent Ga rden er t E ditor .
Vindi ca t ion o Va n lVa r t P a u din a nd I/Villi a m s f , l g , ,
tke ' tli r e v ir tuou s a nd a tr iot i c Am er ica n eom en e p Y , l w ho a r rested Zf aj or A ndr e.
r Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge , a membe of the House of Representatives o f th e United S h h tates, in a speech w ic he lately delivered
r r in that body, ventu ed to asc ibe to the cele b ra t ed r h r th e capto s of Andre , a c a acter most
u s r infamo s and dete table ; and to thei conduct ,
h a s s on t t occa ion , motive the most sordid and 1 4
s h odio us . He accu ed t ese men of being as often
r in the camp of the enemies of their count y, a s o ur of in own ; being men, destitute not
of s b ut of only patrioti m , common honesty and honou r ; o f belonging to that detestable gang
th e m o cow - o us ually known by na e f b ys . He h ff c arged them , in e ect, therefore , with being the vilest of thieves and robbe rs ; and in doing so r r s W n , ep e ented General ashi gton and the Congre ss as bestowing the p ublic praise and t he r public bounty upon wretches, utte ly base
r o f and contemptible , f om mere motives policy .
h in wo r T ere was, this attempt, an intrepidity thy of a better cause ; b ut at the same time a rashness which he will never cease to repent .
t o Col . Tallmadge has endeavoured tear the
m r r fairest leaf fro our histo y, and to dep ive the yeom enry o f o ur coun try o f a theme in which
r d o f infl u they glo ie , and an example , whose
no t h ence is less extensive and important, t an was that of the immortal William Tell . If he
so ossib il has done , when there was the least p
h r ity that he mig t be in an er or, he could never h upon reflection justify imself. But if he has
so u done upon slight, pon very slight grounds ;
r o w n r not f om his knowledge , but f om the cal
m nies o f u the envious, and the mere suspicions
f h a s r r o an enemy, he incur ed a esponsibility
r which he must meet ; a responsibility , f om 1 5
which the personal respect with which he may
r have been heretofore rega ded , ought not to
r o f protect him , nor gene al coincidence polit ical opinion to release him . Upon what grounds did the Colonel accuse these m e n o f being cant or/ 3 & of being as often ’ th e m our ow n 9 in ene y s camp , as in Did & he know the facts If he did , he must have seen them steal ; he must have seen them in the enemy ’ s camp & But he does not pretend h 7‘ this . W at then is the evid ence of these facts h — m ht At most, earsay which ig indeed be true
m h w as but it ig t also be, as in fact it , false . This evidence Wa s assuredly t o o loose for the — charge he advanced against men whose ser vice had certainly been important ; and who , absent, were not in a condition to justify them
a . selves . The Colonel is Christian Did he here observe the golden rule The Colonel
& com has his enemies how would he feel, if the
h o f lzis Meir munity s ould judge character, by calumnies 9 “ Th e utmost that can be said in palliation
’ of Col . Tallmadge s conduct, is, that he believed
r what he said to be t ue . He believed them to
- r se ' be cow boy plunderers, because he hea d H e believed they would have permitted Andre e to proceed , if he had had more to give th m , because Andre sa id he was of that opinion & 1 6
Upon such grounds the Colonel employe d the
o f r weight his character, and the autho ity of his place , to consign to infamy the three men w ho ha d saved West Point and the army “ There is not a court of justice in chris
not tend e m which would spurn such evidence .
There can , therefore , be no fear that it will be received by a grateful people . And although we are fully persuaded that nothing has a p
ea red u on Meir de ence p to put the accused p f ,
r o ur yet we proceed , gratuitously, to lay befo e r eaders such conclusive testimony as will sa t isfy the whole wo rld
r - bo cow s . At fi st, as to these men being y
r r Their neighbou s would be , of all othe s, most
w so & likely to kno the fact, if it were and the m annexed certificate fro men, aged and vener
sus able , will show that they were not even
o f . is p ect ed. But the oath Mr Van Wart decisive . “ As to the second point, whether the captors o f Andre would have released him for a very
r r la ge b ibe, provided he could immediately have paid it, that is a circumstance which
b themselves. Mr could be known only y And . Van Wart expressly denies the imputation in the annexed affidavit “ The only possible question that can remain i s W r of , whether the itness is wo thy credit . To 1 7
h h t is point, we bring men who ave known him
his f from in ancy ; men, whose venerable hairs are silvered by age ; they speak to us from the verge of the grave ; and they unite in the declaration that no man is more entitled t o be
I sa a c Va n Wart believed , than “ The nature o f the case does not admit of
r a nd testimony mo e precise, perfect conclusive . The refutation is solemnly sworn to , and by a man who, in moral and religious deportment ” u during a long life , has had no s perior .
’ l s AAc VAN ARr s FI IT W AF DAV .
W o f Isaac Van art, of the town Mount the W Pleasant, in county of estchester, being h duly sworn, doth depose and say, t at he is one of the three persons who arrested Major
r Andre , during the American evolutionary war,
- th e and conducted him to American camp .
That he , this deponent, together with David Wi lliams and John Paulding, had secreted
- for themselves at the side of the high way, the purpose of detecting any persons coming from or having unlawful intercourse with the
ser enemy, being between the two armies ; a h vice not uncommon in t ose times . That this deponent and his companions were armed with muskets ; and upon seeing Major Andre a p th e h proach place where t ey were concealed , 3 1 8
they rose a nd presen ted thei r muskets at him
r ste and equired him to p , which he did . He then asked them wh ether they belonged to his party & and then they asked him which was his
t r & o . p arty which he replied , the lower pa ty
r Upon which they , deeming a little st atagem,
h rc t u f under suc ci ums ances, not only j sti iable, but necessary, gave him to understand that they we re of his party & upon which he joy
u s f r f lly declared himself to be a Briti h of ice ,
h out and told them , t at he had been upon very
r particula business . Having ascertained thus
his c un much , this deponent and ompanions h deceived him as to t eir characters, declaring
r con themselves Ame icans, and that he must h sider himself their prisoner . Upon t is, with
he s seeming unconcern , he said had a pa s from e h n G neral Arnold , w ich he exhibited, and the insisted on their p ermitting him to proceed . But they told him that as he had confessed h r ff imself to be a B itish o icer, they deemed it to be their duty to convey him to the American
t o ok camp ; and then him into a wood , a short distance from the highway, in order to guard against being surprised by parties of the ene
r n my, who were frequently econ oitering in that neighbourhood . That when they had him in ' t o sea rch him the wood , they proceeded , for the purpose of ascertaining who and what he 1 9
w a s s hi s , and found in ide of stockings and
his r a r h sa t boots next to ba e feet, p p e s, w ich isfi d h r e them t at he w a s a spy . Major And e n e w sh h his w h a nd re owed t em gold atc ,
r his ma ked , that it was evidence of being a
t ro h gen leman, and also p mised to make t em h u any reward they might name , if t ey wo ld b ut r e h h h r s permit him to p oce d , w ic t ey efu ed .
h h h u t he He t en told them, t at if t ey do bted
u his r m h h a f lfilment of p o ise , t ey mig t conce l hi h him in some secret place , and keep m t ere ,
h u e w - r until t ey co ld send to N Yo k, and receive
h w And h r ss t eir re ard . t is deponent exp e ly de
r r ff r r A r cla es , that eve y o e made by Majo nd e to them was promptly and resolut ely refused .
for r h And as himself, he solemnly decla es, t at h e h e do es s r had not, and most ince ely believe
W h a d that Paulding and illiams not, any iii tention of pl unde ring their prisone r ; nor did
h o r they confer with eac other, even hesitate , w h u r het er they sho ld accept his p omises, but o n th e r the O cont ary they were , in pinion of
h r h s t is deponent, gove ned , like im elf, by a
th e r deep interest in the cause of count y, and
r a st ong sense of duty . And this deponent
r n V r s h furthe says, that he ever isited the B iti u h camp , nor does he believe or s spect t at
h u W l v r eit er Pa lding or il iams e e did , except
’ ' that Paulding w a s once befo re And re s cap 2 0
r s ture , and once afterwa ds, made a pri oner by
t h a s the British , as his deponent been informed h and believes . And t is deponent for himself expressly denies that he e ver held any unlaw ful traffic o r any intercourse whatever with — to the enemy . And appealing solemnly that omniscient Being, at whose tribunal he must d soon appear, he oth expressly declare that all
h r accusations, charging him t erewith, are utte ly ”
W . untrue . ISAAC VAN ART
S w orn b efo re m e this 2 8 th d a & a y J AC OB RAD CLIEF , o f J a nu ar 1 8 1 2 . y, f Jl I a yor .
We s r th e , the sub c ibers, inhabitants of
o f W h r county estc este , do certify, that during the revol utionary war we were well acquainted W W with Isaac Van art, David illiams, and John
r r d Paulding, who ar ested Majo An re ; and that
no r at time during the revolutiona y war, was any suspicion eve r entertained by their neigh bours o r a cquaintances that they o r either of them held any undue intercourse with the ene
r r my . On the cont ary, they we e universally
r esteemed, and taken to be a dent, and faithful
e r in the cause of the country . W furthe cer t if W y, that the said Paulding and illiams are
ne w not resident among us, but that Isaac Van Wart is a respectable freeholder o f the town of Mount Pleasant ; that we a re well acquainted w ith him ; and we do no t hesitate to de clare ‘2 1
o ur r belief, that the e is not an individual in the county of Westchester, acquainted with Isaac W h Van art, who would not esitate to describe hi m of as a man a sober, moral, industrious and — religious life as a man whose integrity is as i unimpeachable as his veracity s undo ubted . In these respects no man in the county of
Westchester is his superior .
‘ T P O A TH A G . O KI S a e d 31 ea rs . J N N M N , g y d AC O P R a e 7 7 ea rs . J B U DY , g y
E ed 6 e r O H O a 0 a s . J N D LL , g y
d 2 a r H O C E a e 7 e s . J O N B Y , g y
RE A a e d 5 7 ea rs . J . Q U , g y
LIAM P A I G a ed 81 e IVIL a rs . ULD N , g y
H RE A a ed 54 ea rs . J O N Q U , g y
RC H E R REA a ed 6 4 ea rs . A D , g y
E O RG E C O a ed 7 2 ea rs . G MB , g y
I ERT E A a ed 7 0 ea rs . G LB D N , g y d 8 O A TH A O E a e 7 ea rs . J N N D LL , g y
R E I S V A T SSE a ed 1 C O 7 e . N L U N A L , g y a rs
T H O AS C E a ed 71 ea rs . M B OY , g y
T IS L YN T a ed 7 1 ea rs . UN , g y
S A a ed 6 8 A C O C K ea rs . J B U DY M N , g y I IA H A O W LL M MM ND ,
J O H N RO MER .
’ HN A I I JO P ULDING s AFF DAV T.
h of W Jo n Paulding, the county of estchester, o ne th e r r b e of pe sons who took Majo Andre ,
h h he a w a s t s ing duly sworn, sait , t at hree time 2 2
during th e revolutionary war a prisoner with — the ene m y & the first time h e was taken at W n h the hite Plai s, w en under the command of
r - r Captain Requa, and ca ried to New Yo k , and h confined in the Sugar House . T e second time he was taken near Tarry Town , when under of the command Lieutenant Peacock , and con
in h ew - r fined the North Dutch C urch , in N Yo k
h e th e that both these times escaped , and last o f them only fou r days before the captu re of An — dre that the last time he was taken he w a s
Ne w - wounded , and lay in the hospital in York , and was discharged o n the arrival of th e news o f th r & peace e e that he and his companions,
W s Van Wart and illiam , among other articles
h r r w ich they took f om Major And e , were his
s h watch, horse , addle, and bridle , and w ich they — retained as prize that they delivered ove r
o n C0 1 Andre , with the papers found him, to e nel Jameson, who commanded on the lines that shortly thereafter they were summoned to appear as witnesses at th e head - quarters of Gen
W — h h r eral ashington, at Tappan t at t ey we e wit at Tappan some days, and examined as nesses before the court martial on the trial o f S s mith, who brought Andre a hore from on b sl e e w a r — oard the p of that while there , Col
the w o nel William S . Smith redeemed atch from
t m fo r hirt - s th e he t y guinea ; which, and money 2 3
h o received for the rse , saddle, and bridle , they divided equally among themselves and four other persons, who belonged to their party,
“ b ut r when Andre was taken, we e about half
off ' a mile , keeping a lookout on a hill that
ha d o r m one w ith Andre no gold silver y him, but only some continental bills, to the amount — of about eighty dollars that the m eda l s g iv en t o W s him and Van Wart and illiam , by Con gress, were presented to them by General t Washing on, when the army was encamped at
’ V e r l a nck s on th e p Point, and that they occa — sion dined at his table that Williams removed some years ago from Westchester County to s the northern part of the tate, but where, par i t cul a rl no t o . And y, the deponent does kn w f of the deponent, referring to the a fidavit Van W on 2 8th J art, taken the anuary last, and h w ich he has read, says that the same is in P LDI u AU N . s bstance true . JOHN G
S w rn b efore m e this 6 th o C H ARLES V AN WYCK G. , da of M a 1 8 1 7 . y y, &
It&a ster i n C ha ncery.
The ollowin is rom the Courier o M a rch 24th f g f f , 1 D 81 7 Mr . wight the Editor .
om t e N a tio a I nte i e Fr h n l ll g enc r . “ C A S E o r M AJ O R AN D R E .
[Messrs Ga es a nd Sea on l t , “ This case having been brought promi u V r l . ently into public iew ecent y, by Mr Tall 24
’ madge s statement o n the floor of the House of Representatives ; and you having published the r of - o n re emarks the New York Courier it, I
f t o o ou . quest the favour y , in justice Mr Tall m adge, since the subject has been agitated , to th give place to the following article from e.
e W . Glean r, printed at ilkesbarre , Pennsylvania ”
Z . &c . I am,
From the Glea nor .
s & The di closure recently made by Co . Tall
H o f madge , in the ouse Representatives, rela o f tive to the capture Major Andre , seems not to have been received in every instance with the confidence to which it was certainly enti
d a tl e . That gentleman related what he s w and knew ; and those who are attempting to dis in pute him, relate only what they have been
of formed of. To those our readers who may ’ not have seen the report of Col . Tallmadge s remarks, it may be proper to observe, that those three men who captured Major Andre, applied to Congress for an increase of the pen sion settled on them by government, and that w as when this application under consideration,
ol C . Tallmadge &a member from Connecticut) ffi to rose and stated, that having been the o cer o f whom the care Andre was intrusted , he had heard Andre declare that those men robbed
26
near them before either party discovered the
& other upon seeing him, they instantly rose
and seized their rifles . They approached him , and demanded who he was 9 He immediately f answered, that he was a British o ficer ; suppos f so ing, rom . their being near the British lines, that they belonged to that party . They then of few seized him, robbed him the guineas which he had with him, and the two watches which he
w e re of o f l then , one gold and the other sil ff d ver . He o ered to reward them if they woul take him to New - York ; they hesitated and in ’ his n &Andre s) opinio , the reason why they did do so on not , was the impossibility his part to secure to them the performance of the promise . “ too He informs also, that it was an Opinion
to of prevalent admit any doubt, that these men were o f that description of persons usually ” a e - or c ll d cow boys, those who, without being
t o considered as belonging either party, made it a business to pillage from both . He has frequently heard it expressed at that time by f several o ficers, who were personally acquainted not e with all these men , and who could hav been mistaken in their general characters . Andre frequently spoke of the kindness of
th e ffi of. th e American o cers, and particularly a ttention of Major Tallmadge ; and on the way t o of for ff the place execution, sent that o icer 27
to come near him , that he might learn the
manner in which he was to die .
Extra ct from a n A ct of the L eg is la ture of the 24th “ J une 1 7 80 m ore e ectua to revent su i es o , , f lly p pp l f ” c a ttle to t he enemy . “ That it shall be lawful for any person to o w n take, seize, and convert to his use, all cat tle and beef driven or removed from any place
to the northward, to any place to the south
of a ward line in the county of Westchester, ” assigned by the Governor for that purpo se . This extra ct from the law is furnished to Show that these persons were not only war
' d in rante , but were, meritoriously , the service
su in which they were engaged, intercepting p n plies to the e emy ; and to meet the fact, and not the inference insinuated from it, that being out regularly called , and under the command
of f e an o ficer, it must be intend d they were
or there f improper purposes .
E & T R AC TS O F L ETTERS FR O M GE N ER A L W AS H I N G TO N H TO T E P RESID EN T O F C ON G RESS .
“ ’ R ob inson s H ouse i n the H i h ands , g l
Se t . 26 p ,
o I have the honour to inform C ngress, that
’ e I arriv d here yesterday, about twelve o clock,
o n r S my return from Hartfo d . ome hours pre r 2 8
V ious - to my arrival , Major General Arnold went m h fro his quarters, w ich were at this place , and , the as it was supposed , over the river to garri son a t - w West Point, hither I proceeded myself in order to visit the post . I found General Ar
on nold had not been there during the day, and
to his s my return quarters he w a still absent . e In the mean time, a pack t had arrived from l . Co . a meson n Lieut J , announci g the capture of a a John Anderson , who was ende vouring to go
- e im to New York , with several inter sting and
- of portant papers , all in the hand writing Gen eral Arnold . This was also accompanied with
f a in a letter rom the prisoner, v g himself to
- be Major John Andre, Adjutant General to the of British army, relating the manner his cap ture , and endeavouring to Show that he did not
o come under the description f a spy . From these several circumstances, and information that the General seemed to be thrown into
of on some degree agitation, receiving a letter f a little time before he went rom his quarters , I was led to conclude immediately that he had ’ o f heard Major Andre s captivity, and that he a c would, if possible, escape to the enemy, and c ordingly took such m easures as appeared the most probable to apprehend him . But he had e mbarked in a barge and proceeded down the f to o f river, under a lag, the Vulture ship war, which lay at some miles below Stoney and Ver
’ r plank s Points . He wrote me a lette after he
got on board . Major Andre is not yet arrived ,
but I hope he is secure, and that he will be
- a nd here to day . I have been am taking pre ff cautions, which I trust will prove e ectual to prevent the important consequences which this
on of l r in conduct, the part Genera A nold , was
I f do n tended to produce . not k ow the party
that took Major Andre, but it is said that it
of consisted only a few militia, who acted in such a manner upon the occasion as does them
the highest honour, and proves them to be AS men of great virtue . soon as I know their l names, I shal take pleasure in transmitting
them to Congress .
“ P a a m s ctob er 1 r i t , O 7 , 7 80 .
I have the honour to enclose Congress a copy of the Proceedings of a Board o f General f of O ficers in the case Major Andre, Adjutant f General to the British army . This o ficer was
executed , in pursuance of the opinion of the 2d s Board, on Monday, the in tant, at twelve
’
o ur . o clock , at late Camp at Tappan Besides
of the proceedings, I transmit copies sundry h letters respecting the matter, whic are all that
passed on the subject, not included in the pro ce din s e g . 30
I have now the pleasure to communicate the names of the three persons who captured w ho to Major Andre, and refused release him, notwithstanding the most earnest importunities, of on and assurances a liberal reward his part .
J ohn P auldi n D a vid Williams Their names are g, , ’ and Isaa c Va n Wa rt.
P R O E E D I S F A B O AR D F E E R A L OFFI E RS C N G O O G N C ,
H e d b or der o hi s Exce enc Gener a Wa shin ton l y f ll y l g , Comm a nder i n Chi ef of the Army of the Un ited Sta tes
o Am er i ca r es ect in M a or Andre Ad uta nt - en f , p g j , j G era o the Br it ish Arm Se tem ber the 29th 1 780 l f y, p , ,
- a t Ta a n i n the Sta te o N ew ork . pp , f Y
P R E S E T N ,
- Maj or General Greene , President,
- Major General Lord Stirling,
- Major General St . Clair,
Major- General The Marquis de la Fayette
- Major General Howe,
or- Th e b Maj General Baron de Steu en,
B rigadier- General Parsons
a - Brig dier General Clinton,
r - B igadier General Knox,
- Brigadier Genera l Glover,
- Brigadier General Patterson ,
- Brigadier General Hand,
- Brigadier General Huntington ,
- Brigadier General Starke ,
John Lawrance , Judge Advocate Gen . 31
A - Major John Andre, djutant General to the d British army, was brought before the Boar , and the following letter from General Washing
- ton to the Board , dated Head Q uarters, Tappan, 29 th 1 80 f September , 7 , was laid be ore them,
and read .
Gentlem en ,
- to Major Andre, Adjutant General the Brit ish army, will be brought before you for your
examination . He came within our lines in the
on r- night, and an interview with Majo General
Arnold, and in an assumed character ; and was taken within our lines, in a disguised habit, with a pass under a feigned name , and with the enclosed papers concealed upon him . After a careful examination, you will be pleased , as speedily as possible, to report a precise state of
of his case , together with your opinion the light h e in which ought to be considered, and the punishment that ought to be inflicted . The Judge Advocate will attend to assist in the ex amination, who has sundry other papers, rela the tive to this matter, which he will lay before h ' . onour to Board . I have the be ,
Gentlemen, m Your ost obedient, and humble servant
H NGT N . G . WAS I O
The Boa rd o Genera l O cers f fi , ” conv ned a t Ta an e pp . The name-s O f the Officers composing the on Board were read to Major Andre, and his being asked whether he confessed the matters contained in the letter from his Excellency d General Washington to the Board, or denie
in a ddition to his letter to Genera l them, he said ,
Wa shin ton da ted Sa lem the 24th Se tember 1 780 g , , p , ,
&which was read to the Board , and acknowledged by Major Andre to have been written by him, ) which letter is as follows
8 1 . Sa lem 24th S e t. 7 0 , p SIR , What I have as yet said concerning myself, was in the justifiable attempt to be extricated . I am too little accustomed to duplicity to have succeeded . “ I beg your Excellency will be persuaded no o f that alteration in the temper my mind , a or apprehension for my s fety, induces me to take the step o f addressing yo u ; but that it is to secure myself from an imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous pur
- poses o r self interest . A conduct incompatible
the a s with principles that actuated me , well as with my condition in life .
It is to vindicate my fame that I Speak, and not to solicit security . The person in your possession is Major John
- Andre , Adjutant General to the British army .
34
Thus, as I have had the honour to relate , was I betrayed &being Adjutant- General of the British army) into the vile condition of an ene
my in disguise within your posts . f f Having avowed mysel a British o ficer, I have nothing t o reveal but what relates t o m y on of an f self, which is true the honour o ficer
and a gentlema n . The request I have to make your Excel f leney, and I am conscious I address mysel well, is , that in any rigour policy may dictate, a de cenc of y conduct towards me may mark , that f though un ortunate, I am branded with nothing
a s m dishonourable, no otive could be mine but
of w a s inv ol un the service my King, and as I t a rily an impostor . “ Another request is, that I may be permitted t o to write an open letter Sir Henry Clinton , and another to a friend for clothes and linen . I take the liberty to mention the condition of - b e some gentlemen at Charles Town, who
on or ing either parole under protection, were engaged in a conspiracy against us. Though is their Situation not similar, they are objects w ho set for o r may be in exchange me, are persons whom the treatment I receive might ff a ect . “ is not It less , Sir, in a confidence in the
on a generosity of your mind, than ccount of es your superior station, that I have ch en to importune yo u with this letter .
I have the honour to be ,
with great respect, Sir, Your Excellency’ s most obedient
and most humble servant,
JOHN ANDRE,
- Adjutant General .
Genera l Washin ton g , ”
& . & . &c . c c
That he came on Shore from the Vulture sloop o f war in the night of the twenty - fi rst of S eptember instant, somewhere under the Hav erstra w Mountain & that the boat he came o n no a on shore in carried fl g, and that he had a surtout coat over his regimentals, and that he w e re his s urtout c oat when he was taken & That
o o n ha d he met General Arn ld the Shore, and an interview with him there . He also said , that
of w a s when he left the Vulture sloop war, it understood that he w a s to return that night ; o o re but it was then d ubted, and if he c uld not
e concea led on S turn, he was promis d to be hore in of s n ht a place afety, until the next ig , when he w a s to return in the same manner he came on
r he sho e ; and when the next day came, was s s b m ui olicitou to get ack , and ade inq ries in 36
how the course of the day, he should return ; when he was informed he could not return
h route t at way, and he must take the he did f w . a ter ards He also said , that the first notice
of o our osts he had his being within any f p , was, being challenged by the sentry, which was the h n e o . first night was Shore He also said , that the evening of the twenty- second of Septem ’ ber instantf h e passed I ifng s Ferry betw een our ’ osts o Stone a nd Ver la nh s P oints dress p f y p , in the he is a t resent in a nd which he said was not his p , re im enta ls g , and which dress he procured after
f b & he landed rom the Vulture , and when e was
our ost within p , and that he was proceeding to
ew - w a s o n N York , but taken his way, at Tarry n on Tow , as he has mentioned in his letter,
Saturday the twenty - third of September in ’ stant, about nine o clock in the morning . The following papers were laid before the d Boar , and shown to Major Andre , who con fessed to the Board that they we r e found on h him when he was taken, and said t ey were concealed in his boot, except the pass . A pass from General Arnold to J ohn Ander son h na me he , w ich Major Andre acknowledged a ssumed
r 5 1 780 . Artillery orders, Septembe , Estimate of the force at We s t Point and i ts
S 1 780 . dependencies, eptember, 37
Es timate of men to man the works at West
&c . Point,
1 80 . W . Return of ordnance at est Point, Sept 7
n r Remarks o wo ks at West Point . Copy of a state of matters laid before a Coun of Wa r W cil , by his Excellency General ashing
& t on 6 th of 1 780 . 7 , held the September, The Board having interrogated Major Andre about his conception of his coming o n Shore nu
of That it was der the sanction a flag, he said ,
' i nzp ossible f or him to supp ose he came on shore under tha t sa nction o n ; and added , That if he came n shore under that sanctio , he certainly might
have returned under it . Major And re having acknowledged the pre
ceding facts, and being asked whether he had
h to any t ing say respecting them, answered , He
o left them t operate with the Board . The examination of Major Andre being con
cluded , he was remanded into custody . The following letters were laid before the ’ r Boa d, and read Benedict Arnold s letter to n S 2 5 1 80 . General Washingto , dated eptember , 7 ’ Colonel Robinson s letter to General Washing 2 5 1 780 ton, dated September , , and General ’ 2 6 th 1 780 Clinton s letter, dated September, , &enclosing a letter of the same date from Bene
dict Arnold) to General Washington . 38
bo t e e 2 On ard h Vi dtur S e t. 5 1 80 . , p , 7 IR S , “ The heart which is conscious of its ow n rec titude , cannot attempt to palliate a step which the world may censure as wrong . I have ever
o f to acted from a principle love my country, since the commencemen t of the present un happy contest between Great Britain and the Colonies & the sa me principle of love to my country actuates my present conduct, however to it may appear inconsistent the world , who ’ very seldom judge right o f any man s actions .
I have no favour to ask for myself. I have t oo often experienced the m gra tit ude of my country to atte m pt it & but from the known of t o humanity your Excellency, I am induced M for rs. ask your protection Arnold, from every insult and injury that the mistaken vengeance
- h t of my country may expos e her to . It oug t o fall only on me & sh e is as good and as innocent
of . as an angel, and is incapable doing wrong I beg She may be permitted to return to her
e to to a s friends in Philad lphia, or come me, S o o he may cho se . Fr m your Excellency I have no on sh e ff fears her account, but may su er from the mistaken fury of the country . “ I have to request that th e enclosed letter
Mr s . may be delivered to Arnold, and she per m itte d to write to me . 39
I have also t o ask that my clothes and bag&
of gage , which are little consequence, may be sent to me ; if required , their value Shall be paid for in money . “ I have the honour to be , with great regard and esteem ’ ’ Your Excellency s most ob ed t .
humble servant,
B . ARNOLD . His Excellency
' o Genera l Wa shingt n.
o f N . B . In justice to the gentlemen my a nd family, Colonel Varrick Major Franks, I think myself in honour bound to declare , that h . w o they, as well as Joshua Smith , Esq & I know is suspected) are totally ignorant o f any trans a of to ctions mine , that they had reason believe t ” were inj urious o the public .
“ t r e o i i lc S 2 1 u S ns n t . 5 8 Vu 7 0 . l , fi , ep , “ SIR , I a m this moment informed that Major Ah ’ - of dre , Adjutant General his Majesty s army in
America, is detained as a prisoner by the army
incum under your command . It is therefore bent on me to inform you of the manner of his falling into your hands & He went up w ith a f lag at the request of General Arnold , on pub
his t o lic business with him , and had permit 40
- return by land to New York . Under these cir c um sta nces Major Andre cannot be detained
o u of by y , without the greatest violation flags, and contrary to the custom and usage o f all nations ; and as I imagine you will see this
o f do matter in the same point view as I , I must desire you will order him to be set at
to . liberty, and allowed return immediately Every step Major Andre took was by the a d
o f vice and direction General Arnold, even that of of taking a feigned name, and course not
o f r liable t censure o it .
I am , Sir, not forgetting former acquaintance,
Your very humble servant,
BEV . ROBINSON, l Lo l . . Co . y Americ
n o Genera l Wa shi gt n.
“ - 1 8 N ew York S e t . 26 7 0 . , p , IR S , “ ’ Being informed that the Kihg s Adjutant
r e General in Ame ica has been st pt, under Ma ’ or- j General Arnold s passports, and is detained ’ a prisoner in your Excellency s army, I have the honour to inform you, Sir, that I permitted
- Major Andre to go to Major General Arnold , at of the particular request that general officer .
You will perceive, Sir, by the enclosed paper, ha d an undoubte d right to send my flag of
r u f or . o r dr r t ce M j An e, who came to me unde h h t at protection, and aving held my conver d sation with him , I elivered him confidential
ow n - r papers in my hand w iting, to deliver to your Excellency . Thinking it much properer h e him should return by land , I directed to make use o f the feigned name of John Ander son , under which he had by my direction come
t o on shore , and gave him my passports go
- r to the White Plains o n his way to New Yo k . This offi cer cannot the refore fail of being i m
ew - a s w a s mediately sent to N York, he invited to a conversation with me , for which I sent him
o f r a flag t uce , and finally gave him passports fo r his safe return to your Excellency ; a ll which I had then a right to do, being in the
of actual service America, under the orders of t General Washing on , and commanding general W at est Point and its dependenc ies . “ h I ave the honour to be,
’ Your Excellency s most obedient, h and very umble servant,
B . ARNOLD .
i C inton S r H enrg l .
The Board having considered the letter from his Excellency Gene ral Washington respectin g 4 8
r u - r th e r sh Major And e , Adj tant Gene al to B iti
r r th e army, the confession of Majo And e , and
r r u EP T pape s p od ced to them , R OR to his Excel
t he foll ow m leney , Commander in Chief, the g
r Ma Or facts, which appea to them relative to j
And re .
r sh r r Fi st, That he came on o e f om the Vul tu re Sl e e p of war in the night of the 2 1 st o f
S r w h eptembe instant, on an intervie wit Gen
r r . eral A nold , in a private and sec et manner
S h e h his econdly, That c anged dress within o ur lines ; and under a feigned name , and in
s o ur S a di guised habit, passed works at toney
’ V er l a nk s th e o f 22d and p Points, evening the
r s r of Septembe in tant, and was taken the mo n
th e 28d S s r ing of of eptember in tant, at Tar y
u h his Town , in a disg ised abit, being then on
- r h ha d way to New Yo k and w en taken , he in w h his possession several papers , ich contained intelligence for the e nemy . The Board having maturely c onsidered these
L O EP T his r facts , Do A S R OR to Excellency Gene al
W u - ashington, That Major Andre , Adj tant Gen
th e r r eral to B itish army, ought to be conside ed a s r h a Spy f om the enemy, and t at, agreeable to the law and usage of nations, it is their opin
e h e u h ff r h . ion, o g t to su deat
' - NAr i . EENE . Ge . r i GR , M nl P esident 4 4
S r . . te ling , M G
Ar . St . Clair, M . G .
La Fayette , M . G .
R . Howe , M . G .
b . . Steu en, M G
Samuel H . Parsons, B . Genl .
James Clinton, B . Genl .
H . Knox, Brig . Genl . Artil .
&. o . . Jn Glover, B Gen
t . . John Pat erson , B Genl
Edw d. . . Hand , B Genl
J . Huntington, B . Genl .
S . . John tarke , B Genl
L R . HN AW ANOE . JO , J A Genl
it
B. c . & c . to . & General, Sir Henry Clinton, K
C‘
Your Excellency is doubtless already a p of n prized the manner in which I was take , and possibly of the serious light in which my
r conduct is conside ed, and the rigorous deter mination that is impending .
Under these circumstances, I have ob tained General Washington’ s permission to send you
h of t is letter ; the object which is, to remove
fr u. u om your breast any s spicion, that I co ld 4 5
’ imagine I was bound by your Excellency s or ders to expose myself to what has happened .
’ of The events coming within an enemy s posts, of h and c anging my dress, which led me to my u o w n in present sit ation, were contrary to my tentions, as they were to your orders ; and the circuitous route , which I took to return, was imposed &perhaps unavoidably) without alter native upon me . “ r In I am pe fectly tranquil mind, and pre h pared for any fate, to which an onest zeal for ’ my King s service may have devoted me . In addressing myself to your Excellency on of this occasion , the force all my obligations o f to you, and the attachment and gratitude I bear you, recurs to me . With all the warmth of h ou my eart, I give y thanks for your Excel
’ l ency s profuse kindness to me ; and I send you the most earnest wishes for your welfare , which ff f a faithful, a ectionate, and respect ul attendant can frame . h I have a mother and three Sisters, to w om the value of my commission would be an ob
a s ff jcet, the loss of Grenada has much a ected their income It is needless to be more ex pl icit on this subject ; I am persuaded of your ’ Excellency s goodness . I receive th e g rea test attention from his Ex c ell enc W h m r y General as ington, and fro eve y 4 6 pe rs on unde r whose charge I happen to be [da ced I r have the honou to be ,
W r u h ith the most espectf l attac m ent,
’ Your Excellency s most obedient, h and most umble servant, A E JOHN NDR ,
- Adjutant General . &Addressed)
A” B ir enr C inton . . . r & c & c . Gene a l S H l & c . y , _
Copy of a letter from his Excellency General W ashington , to his Excellency Sir Henry
Clinton .
1 8 . H ea d ua rters S e t. 30 7 0 Q , p , IR S ,
’ In answe r to your Excellency s letter of the 26th to instant, which I had the honour receive ,
o u I am to inform y , that Major Andre was taken under such circumstances as would have justi
a fi ed the most summ ry proceedings against him .
i the I determ ned , however, to refer his case to examination an d decision of a Board of Gen
f r eral O ficers, who have reported , on his f ee and voluntary confession and letters, That he
o n h o f w a r came s ore from the Vulture sloop , in th e night of the tw enty - fi rst of Septembe r ” th r . h & c & c . e t e r instant, as in eport of Boa d of Gene ral O fficers . h s r n s d From t e e p oceedi g , it is evi ent Major Andre w a s employed in the execution of meas
s o f ure ve ry fo reign to the objects flags of truce , and s uch as they we re never meant to author iz e o r countenance in the most distant degree ;
t & and this gentleman confessed , with the grea
r his est candou , in the course of examination , “ w a s h e That it impossible for . him to suppose
ni ne o n shore under the sanction of a flag . ’ I have the honour to be, your Excellency s
most obedient and most humble servant,
W S . G . A HINGTON &Addressed)
H is Fa celleneg Sir H enry Clinton.
’ s of 2 9 th In thi letter, Major Andre s the of
S r Si r & eptembe , to Henry Clinton, was trans
m itt ed .
Ye 1 . l Vew r/e 2 9th S e t. 780 , p SIR , “ Persuaded that yo u are inclined rather to promote than p revent th e civilities and acts of
h th e of b e humanity, whic rules war permit
fi nd no f tween civilized nations, I di ficulty in r r ou ep esenting to y , that several letters and messages sent from hence have been disre
u n o f garded , are na swered , and the flaDgs truce r h that ca ried them detained . As I ave ev e i treated all flags of tru ce with civility a nd re
he o u s pect, I have a right to pe , that y will 4 8 order my complaint to be immediately re d ressed . “ w ho a n f com Major Andre , visited o ficer ow n nding in a district at his desire , and acted in every circumstance agreeable to his
& direction , I find is detained a prisoner my friendship for him leads me to fear he may suffer some inconvenience for want of necessa
fe w ries ; I wish to be allowed to send him a , and Shall take it as a favour if you will be pleased to permit his servant to deliver them . In Sir Henry Clinton ’ s absence it becomes a part of my duty to make this representation and request
’ I am, Sir, your Excellency s
s Most obedient humble ervant, JAMES ROBERTSON
Lt . General .
o Genera l Wa shingt n.
Ta an S e t. 30 1 780 . pp , p , “ IR S , “ o f 2 h I have just received your letter the 9t . Any delay which may have attended your flags h a s proceeded from accident and the peculiar
of no t inten circumstances the occasion, from
nal or a tio neglect viol tion . The letter that a d
tt ed of has an answer, received one as early
u w r e as it co ld be given ith p opri ty , transmitted
50
’ f tide will permit, and wait near Dobb s erry for your permission and safe conduct, to meet your o r ou Excellency, such persons as y may appoint, on to converse with them this subject . I t o I have the honour be, Your Excellency ’ s Most obedient and
most humble servant,
H . CLINTON .
H E . P S. on . s . e The Andrew Elliot, q Li ut H n o . Governor, and the William Smith, Chief
of his Justice this province, will attend Excel len ey Lieut . General Robertson . H . C .
r Gene a l Washington.
u. . . Lie t General Robertson Mr Elliot, and Mr
’ Smith, came up in a flag vessel to Dob b s ferry, tw o agreeable to the above letter . The last not ff were su ered to land . General Robertson on was permitted to come shore, and was met
r w ho by Major General G eene, verbally report ed that General Robertson mentioned to him in substance what is contained in his letter of 2d of the October to General Washington .
“ - Yo O 1 N ew rk ct. 1 80 . , , 7 “ IR S , “ I take this Opportunity to inform your Ex & 5 1
cell enc no n y, that I consider myself lo ger act ing under the commission of Congress & Their last to me being among my papers a t West
use of o u Point, you, Sir, will make such it as y
think preper. “ t o At the same time, I beg leave assure
your Excellency, that my attachment to the
of true interest my country is invariable, and that I am actuated by the SAME PRINCIPLE which has ever been the GOVERNING RULE of my con
duct, in this unhappy contest . I have the honour to be
very respectfully, ’ Your Excellency most ob ed t
humble servant,
B . ARNOLD . o His Excellency General Wa shingt n.
re hound chooner F a o Wuce G y S , & l g f Q ’ O 2 o Ferr ct. 1 D bb s 80. y, , 7
f A note I have rom General Greene , leaves
me in doubt if his memory had served him, to relate to you with exactness the substance of the conversation that had passed between
on of . him and myself, the subject Major Andre In an affair of so much consequence to my
r to h f iend , the two armies, and umanity, I would leave no possibility of a misunderstand 52
to ing , and therefore take the liberty put in writing the substance of what I said to
General Greene . “ ff to of Col I O ered prove, by the evidence f of ouel Robinson and the o ficers the Vulture, that Major Andre went on Shore at General ’ for W Arnold s desire, in a boat sent him ith a flag of truce ; that he not only came ashore with the knowledge and under the protection of w ho the General commanded in the district, but that he took no step while on shore but by of direction General Arnold, as will appear by the enclosed letter from him to your Excel leney .
Under these circumstances I could not, and hoped you would not consider Major Andre as for his to a Spy, any improper phrase in letter ou y . “ The facts he relates correspond with the evidence I offer ; but he admits a conclusion no of that does t follow . The change clothes un and name was ordered by General Arnold, w a s der whose direction he necessarily , while
As n within his command . General Gree e and
I did not agree in opinion, I wished that dis Of of interested gentlemen, knowledge the law
of war and nations, might be asked their Opin ion ou the subject ; and mentioned Monsieur
Knypha usen and General Ro cham b a ul t . I related that a Captain Robinson had been
to delivered Sir Henry Clinton as a Spy, and undoubtedly was such & but that it being sig nifi ed to him that you were desirous that this man should be exchanged, he had ordered him t o be exchanged & “ I wished that an intercourse of such civil of of ities, as the rules war admit , might take o ff many of its horrors . I admitted that Major ’ Andre had a great Share of Sir Henry Clinton s esteem, and that he would be infinitely obliged b yhis liberation ; and that if he was permitted to return with me, I would engage to have any person you would be pleased to name set at liberty . “ I added, that Sir Henry Clinton had never put to death any person for a breach of the of now rules war, though he had, and has, many in his power . Under the present circumstances much good may arise from humanity, much ill from the want of it . If that could give any weight, I beg leave to add, that your favour
Of able treatment Major Andre, will be a favour I should ever be intent to return to any you hold dear . “ no t My memory does retain, with the exact
h of ness I could wis , the words the letter which General Greene showed me from Maj or Andre ’ Fo r to your Excellency . Sir Henry Clinton s ’ ou of satisfaction, I beg y will order a copy it
n - to be se t to me at New York . “ I have the honour to be, Your Excellency ’ s
Most obedient, and
most humble servant,
JAMES ROBERTSON .
in o Genera l Wa sh gt n.
N ew - York October 1 1 8 7 0 . “ , , IR S , “ The polite attention shown b y yourE xcel
the Mr leney and gentlemen Of your family to s. f Arnold, when in distress, demand my grate ul acknowledgment and thanks, which I beg leave to present . From your Excellency ’ s letter to Sir Henry of f Clinton, I find a Board General O ficers have
a s given it their Opinion, that Major Andre comes under the description of a spy & My good Opinion of the candour and justice of those gen tl em en leads me to believe , that if they had been made fully acquainted with every circumstance h respecting Major Andre , t at they would by no
of s means have considered him in the light a py,
or of . even a prisoner In justice to him, I think
f on it my duty to declare, that he came rom board the Vulture at my particular request, by o n for S a flag sent purpose him by Joshua mith, 55
’ ho t o Esq . w had permission o g to Dobb s ferry
to carry letters, and for other purposes not
mentioned , and to return . This was done as a
- s & . blind to the py boats Mr Smith, at the same c on time , had my private instru tions to go on board the Vulture, and bring shore Colonel
or . w a s Robinson, Mr John Anderson, which the name I had requested Major Andre t o as
sume & At the same time I desired Mr . Smith to
inform him, that he Should have my protection ,
and a safe passport to return in the same boat,
our AS as soon as business was completed . several accidents intervened t o prevent his b e on ing sent board, I gave him my passport to n return by land . Major Andre came o shore h in his uniform &without disguise ) which, wit
much reluctance , at my particular and pressing
for . stance, he exchanged another coat I fur
nish ed h him with a orse and saddle , and pointed
o ut h e the route by which was to return . And m f as co manding o ficer in the department, I had an undoubted right to transact all these mat h h ters w ic , if wrong, Major Andre ought by ff no means to su er for them . c But if, after this j ust and andid representa n ’ tion of Major A dre s case, the Board of Gen f eral O ficers adhere to their former Opinion, I shall suppose it dictated by passion and r esent ment ; and if that gentleman should suffe r the 56
of severity their sentence, I shall think myself
of t o re bound, by every tie duty and honour, t alia t e on of such unhappy persons your army, f as may all within my power, that the respect due to flags and to the law of nations may be better understood and observed . f of I have further to observe, that orty the principal inhabitants of South - Carolina have f justly orfeited their lives, which have hitherto been spared by the clemency of his Excellency
Sir Henry Clinton, who cannot in justice ex his tend mercy to them any longer, if Major Andre suffers ; which in all probability will Open f a scene o blood at which humanity will revolt. “ Suffer me to entreat your Excellency for ow n of your and the honour humanity, and the
ou of ff not love y have justice, that you su er an n to of unjust se tence touch the life Major Andre . “ if But this warning Should be disregarded, ff w it and he su er, I call Heaven and earth to
e a n ness, that your Excell ncy will be j ustly sw erab l e for the torrent of blood that may be
Spilt in conseque nce .
I have the honour to be,
with due respect,
’ ’ Your Excellency s most ob ed t
and very humble servant,
B . ARNOLD .
o Genera l Washingt n.
58
Th e time which elapsed between the capture
r on m o f of Major And e , which was the orning
2 3d of the September, and his execution , which ’ did not take place till twelve o clock on the 2 d — — o f October ; the mode of trying him ; his 2 9th . on letter to Sir Henry Clinton, K B . the “ of September, in which he said , I receive the greatest attention from his Excellency Gen u eral Washington, and from every person nder whose charge I happened to be placed — not t o mention many other acknowledgments which he made of the good treatment he received must evince that the proceedings against him
n o r were not guided by passio resentment . The practice and usage of war were against his re quest, and made the indulgence he solicited, circumstanced as he was, inadmissible .
P ublished b Order o Con ress y f g ,
’
See r . CHARLES THOMSON, y
I N C ON G RESS .
be I t 1 8 o em r 3 s . N v , 7 0 Whereas Congress has received information
h J ot a ul din t at g, David Williams, and Isaac W m of th e Van art, three young volunteer ilitia
of - on 2 3d d a of State New York , did , the y
September last, intercept Major John Andre, 59
u - of r Adj tant General the B itish army, on his
r in retu n from the American lines, the character o f a spy ; and notwithstanding the large bribes ff o ered them for his release , nobly disdaining
for of to sacrifice their country the sake gold , secur ed a nd conveyed him to the commanding
f o f th e o ficer the district, whereby dangerous a n d traito rous conspiracy of Benedict Arnold
of was brought to light, the insidious designs
b a ffi ed the enemy , and the United States res cued from impending dange r . “ R esolved , That Congress have a high sense of the virt uous and patrio tic conduct o f the said John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wa rt & In testimony whereo f “ Or dered h of , T at each them receive annually, o ut of dol the public treasury, two hundred
or lars in Specie , an equivalent in the current u money of these states, d ring life ; and that the Board of War p rocure for each of them a Silver
o n S o f S medal, one ide which hall be a Shield “ F DEL TY on with this inscription, I I and the “ ” VINOIT M P T IZE other the following motto, A OR A R , m and forward the to the commander in chief, w ho d is requeste to present the same, with a h copy of t is resolution, and the thanks of Con
r g ess for their fidelity, and the eminent service ” they have rendered their country . 6 0
Extract from the recital t o the act of the
u Of a t Legislat re the State, the time granting — to the captors of Andre each a farm . The act “ their virtue in r e us recites, as a consideration , f i n a lar e sum o ered to them b M a or Andre as g g f y j , ” o o e e a bribe t p ermit him t scap .
2 4th 1 802 in From the Evening Post, July , ,
i etime o — Mr the lf f General Hamilton . Coleman the Editor —the letter was to the late Colonel
Sears, then residing in Boston .
[The foll o w ing l etter resp ecti ng the fate Of M ajor
Andre w a s w ri t en in the ea r 1 7 80 b Genera t y , y l
h - - H a m i on en a co one a nd aid de cam t o Gen . lt , t l l p
o dou a s on een re su red W a shi ngton . N b t it h l g b t a
u not on a s a s ec im en of fi ne w r i i n b ut a s p ly p t g, the b est M o num ent of the Fa cts r el ati ng t o t ha t
en . H a m ton h s ee a ffecting tra nsa cti on . G il a b n ev er
c onsidere d a n e e a n w r i er a s w e a s a a r io a nd l g t t , ll p t t
b ra v e so di er a nd w e do resum e ha this rodu c l , p t t p
t i on of his en a hou h of a nci en da te w i b e a c p , lt g t , ll — m n e d rs Ant . D em a c ep tab l e a nd a usi g t o our r a e . i &
r Since my return f om Hartford, my dear f riend , my mind has been too little at ease to permit me to w rite to you sooner . It has been
th e wholly occupied by the incidents, and tragic
’
of . consequences, Arnold s treason My feelings
Yo u never were put to SO severe a trial . will have heard the principal facts before this reaches sit you ; but there are particulars, to which my n m e ation gave access, that cannot have come
r r h to your knowledge from public epo t, w ich
r I am pe rsuaded you will fi nd inte esting . “ c From several ircumstances, the project
t o seems have originated with Arnold himself, and to have been long premeditated . The first overture is traced to some time in June last. 1 C0 . n It was conveyed in a letter to Robinso , o f h the subject w ich was, that the ingratitude
u he had experienced from his co ntry, concur h ring with other causes, had entirely c anged his principle s & that he now only so ught to re store himself to th e favour of his p rince by some signal proof of his repentance & and that he wished to open a correspondence with Sir
r Hen ry Clinton for this pu pose . About that
on period he made a journey to Connecticut,
r h h his return f om which to P iladelp ia, he solie ited the command of VVest - Point alleging that the effects of his wound disqualified him for h active duties o f t e field . The sacrifice of this important post was the atonement he intended to make . General Washington hesitated the less to gratify an office r who had frequently h e rendered eminent services , as was convinced th e post might be safely trusted to one who h a d given so many distinguished proofs o f his of patriotism . The beginning August he joined 6 2
the army, and renewed his application . The
enemy, at this juncture , had embarked the greatest part of their force on an expedition
o ur w a s m to Rhode Island, and army in otion , m t o e to compel the relinquish the enterpris ,
o - its r to attack New York in weakened state . The General Offered Arnold the left wing o f
o n the army, which he declined, the pretext already mentione d but not without visible
embarrassment. He certainly might have exe c the of uted duties such a temporary command, and it was expected from his enterprising tem per that he would gladly have embraced so splendidly inviting an Opportunity ; b ut he did not choose t o be diverted a moment from his te b favouri o ject, probably from an apprehension ff that some di erent disposition might take place, h w ich would exclude him . The extreme solici o f tude he discovered to get possession the post, to of would have led a suspicion treachery, had it been possible from his past conduct to have supposed him capable of it .
r The cor espondence thus begun, was carried o n d r between Arnol and Major And e, adjutant
r o f general to the B itish army, in behalf Sir S Henry Clinton , under feigned ignatures, and a
a n mercantile disguise . In intercepted letter
’ o f o ur Arnold s which lately fell into hands, he w ‘ proposes an intervie , to settle the risks and profit Of co- partnership & and i n the same style
o f a u m en metaphor, intimates an expected g
e rr of th e tati n of the ga ison, and speaks it as
f . means of extending their tra fic It appears, n w as by a other letter, that Andre to have met
fla him on the lines, under the sanction of a g, in the character o f Mr. John Anderson . But some cause or other, not known, prevented this interview . “ General Washington crossed the river in his way to Hartford the day these despatches arrived . Arnold, conceiving he must have
d of e hear the flag, thought it nec ssary, for the
t o sake of appearances, to submit the letters
of him, and ask his Opinion of the propriety complying with his request . The General, without his usual caution, though without the least surmise of the design, dissuaded him from it, and advised him to reply to Robertson, that whatever related to his private affairs must be of a civil nature , and could only properly be addressed to the civil authority . This refer f d ence ortunately derange the whole plan, and was the first link In the chain of events that led to the detection . The interview could no longer take place in the form of a flag, but was obliged to be managed in a secret manner . “ Arnold employed one Smith to go on board
r the Vulture, and b ing Andre ashore, with a pass A & A a c fer Mr . John nderson ndre came ashore cordin l of g y, and was conducted within a picket f Mr o . ours, to the house Smith, where Arnold and he remained together in close conference all that night and the day following . At day in f light the morning, the commanding o ficer
’ - of at King s ferry, without the privity Arnold , moved a couple of cannon to a point Opposite where the Vulture lay, and obliged her to take
or a more remote station . This event, some
t o lurking distrust, made the boatmen refuse convey the two passengers back, and discon c erted so one Arnold much, that by of those strokes of infatuation, which often confound the
o f o f schemes men conscious guilt, he insisted
’ on for Andre s changing his uniform a disguise, and returning in a mode different fromthat in which he came . Andre, who had been unde Signedly brought within our posts in the first n ew instance, remonstrated warmly against this and dangerous expedient . But Arnold persist ing in declaring it impossible for him to return as he came, he at length reluctantly yielded to his persuasion, and consented to change his
a nd dress, take the route he recommended .
Smith furnished the disguise, and in the even ’ - ro ing arriving at King s ferry together, they p c eeded r ste ed to C ompond, where they pp the r of emainder of the night, at the instance a held by General Washington a few weeks b e fore . “ The prisoner was at first inadvertently or t o r dered A nold, but upon recollection , while w as on he still the way, he was countermanded , en and sent t o Old Salem . The papers were in closed a letter to General Washington, which having taken a route different from that by ff which he returned, made a circuit, that a orded
for - leisure another letter, through an ill judged f delicacy written to Arnold, with an in orma ’ of t o tion Anderson s capture, get to him an hour before General Washington arrived at his quarters ; time enough t o elude the fate that his awaited him . He went down the river in
con barge to the Vulture, with such precipitate f no t usion, that he did take with him a Single o paper useful t the enemy . On the first notice o f ff w as t oo the a air, he pursued, but much late to overtake him . “ A moment before his setting o ut he went ’ Mr s. into Arnold s apartments, and informed her,
t o that certain transactions had just come light, which must for ever banish ' him from his coun he . S try fell into a swoon at this declaration, to his ow n and he left her in it consult safety, till the servants, alarmed by her cries, came h f. S e to her relie remained frantical all day, e accusing ev ry one who approached her, with in an intention of murdering her child, &an fant in her arms) exhibiting every other mark o f ff the most genuine and agonizing a ection . Exhausted by the fatigue and tumults of her
r hrenz spi its, her p y subsided towards evening, o and She sunk into all the sadness f distress . It was impossible not to have been touched with her Situation every thing affecting in f or emale tears, in the misfortunes of beauty ; every thing pathetic in the wounded tender of o r e ness a wife, in the appr hensive fondness of a mother ; and every appearance of suffer
ing innocence, conspired to make her an object f o sympathy to all who were present . She
experienced the most delicate attentions, and f every friendly o fice , till her departure for
Philadelphia . “ of Andre, without loss time, was conducted
- of to the head quarters the army, where he was immediately brought before a board of general
f of m isre re o ficers, to prevent all possibility p f or on o . scutation, cavil the part the enemy The board reported that he ought to be con sidered a s s th e a py, and , according to laws and ff usages of nations, to su er death ; which was
t o f executed w days a ter .
“ & ff Never, perhaps, did a man su er death with more justice , or deserve it less . The first step h e took after his capture was to write a letter 6 8
of to General Washington, conceived in terms
dignity without insolence, and apology without
sce e o f meanness . The p it was to vindicate himself from the imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous or interested
inv ol un purposes, asserting that he had been t a ril his inten y an impostor ; that, contrary to
for tion, which was to meet a person intelligence, on neutral ground, he had been betrayed within our of posts, and forced into the vile condition an enemy in disguise ; soliciting only, that to whatever rigour policy might devote him, a of decency treatment might be observed, due to a person, who though unfortunate, had been Hi guilty of nothing dishonourable . s request f for was granted in its ull extent ; , in the whole of ff progress the a air, he was treated with the most scrupulous delicacy . When brought b e f of f ore the board o ficers, he met with every
of to an mark indulgence, and was required swer no interrogatory which could even embar rass his feeling . On his part, while he carefully concealed every thing that involved others, he frankly confessed all the facts that related to f himsel ; and upon his confession, without the
of trouble examining a witness, the board made
not their report . The members of it were more impressed with the candour and modest fi rm ness, mixed with a becoming sensibility which 6 9
n he displayed, than he was pe etrated with their liberality and politeness . He acknowledged the generosity of the behaviour towards him in every respect, but particularly in this, in the
of strongest terms manly gratitude . In a con versation with a gentleman, who visited him —h e after his trial, he said flattered himself he had never been illiberal, but if there were any of remarks prejudice in his mind, his present experience must obliterate them . one of t o In the visits I made him , &and I saw him several times during his confinement) he begged me to be the bearer of a request to for the general, permission to send an Open let “ ter to Sir Henry Clinton . I foresee my fate , &said he) and though I pretend not to play the ff hero, or to be indi erent about life, yet I am reconciled to whatever may happen, conscious that misfortune, not guilt, will have brought it
is one upon me . There only thing that disturbs
ha s my tranquillity . Sir Henry Clinton been too good to me ; he ha s been lavish of his kindness . I am bound to him by too many
t o o to obligations, and love him well, bear the or thought that he Should reproach himself, on that others should reproach him, a suppo sitiou that I had conceived myself obliged by his instructions to run the risk I did . I would not for the wo rld leave a sting in his mind that 70
Should embitter his future days . He could scarce finish the sentence, bursting into tears of his ff in spite e orts to suppress them, and with difficulty collected himself enough after
t o wards to add, I wish to be permitted assure not him I did act under this impression, but a s submitted to a necessity imposed upon me, contrary to my ow n inclination as to his or ” a ders . His request was re dily complied with, the and he wrote letter annexed, with which, I d sa ou are y, y will be as much pleased as I am, both for the diction a nd sentiment . “ w a s When his sentence announced to him,
w a s his he remarked, that since it lot to die, as there was a choice in the mode , which would ff to make a material di erence his feelings, he in would be happy, if it were possible, to be d l u ged with a professional death . He made a second application by letter, in concise but indul persuasive terms . It was thought this
of gence , being incompatible with the custom war, could not be granted ; and it was therefore determined in both cases to evade an answer, to spare him the sensations which a certain knowl edge of the intended mode would inflict. When he w a s led out to the place of exe c ution f , as he went along he bowed amiliarly to all those with whom he had been acquainted i n his confinement . A smile of complacency 7 1
the expressed serene fortitude Of his mind . f Arrived at the atal spot, he asked , with some “ &” emotion, must I then die in this manner “ He was told it had been unavoidable . I
no t am reconciled to my fate, &said he) but to ” the mode . Soon, however, recollecting him
self, he added, it will be but a momentary
pang and springing upon the cart, performed the last offices to himself, with a composure that excited the admiration and melted the
hearts of the beholders . Upon being told the
ha d final moment was at hand, and asked if he “ a n sa y thing to y, he answered, Nothing, but to request you will witness to the world that I ” r rdi die like a brave man . Among the ext a o nary circumstances that attended him in the
of died univ ersall es midst his enemies, he y
teemed and universally regretted . “ There was something singularly interesting
in the character and fortunes of Andre . To an
excellent understanding, well improved by edu
cation and travel, he united a peculiar elegance of of mind and manners, and the advantage a ’ Tis pleasing person . said he possessed a pretty
fo r f taste the fine arts, and had himsel attained
some proficiency in poetry, music, and painting .
His knowledge appeared without ostentation, diffi dence a t and embellished by a , that rarely
se tended many talents and accomplishments, 72
h which left yo u to suppose more t an appeared . es His sentiments were elevated, and inspired teem they had a softness that conciliated a ffec
Hi his . s tion elocution was handsome, address easy, polite, and insinuating . By his merit he had acquired the unlimited confidence of his m General, and was aking a rapid progress in military r a nk and reputation . But in the height of his career, flushed with new hopes from the execution of a project the most beneficial to his party that could be devised , he is at once pre cipit a t ed from the summit of prosperity ; sees of all the expectations his ambition blasted, and himself ruined . The character I have given of him is drawn f saw of partly rom what I him myself, and partly from information . I am aware that a man of real merit is never seen in so fa v oura of ble a light as through the medium adversity . The clouds that surround him are so many o ff Mi for shades that set his good qualities . s tune cuts down little vanities that, in prosperous a s so times, serve many Spots in his virtues, and gives a tOne of humanity that makes his worth
. w ho more amiable His spectators, enjoy a hap t o f pier lot, are less prone detract rom it through envy ; and are much disposed by compassion, to give him the credit he deserves, and perhaps even to magnify it .
74
and Offered any friend o f ours in their power
in exchange . Nothing could have been more
frivolous than the plea which was used . The ob fact was, that besides the time, manner and
o f of and jcet the interview, change dress, other f circumstances, there was not a Single ormality customary with flags ; and the passport was not had to . . Major Andre , but to Mr Anderson But
on there, the contrary, been all the formalities,
of t o sa it would be an abuse language y, the sanction of a flag for corrupting an officer to betray his trust ought t o be obligatory . So unjustifiable a purpose would not only destroy its validity, but make it an aggravation . “ Andre himself has answered the argument , by ridiculing and exploding the idea in his ex o o f amination before the b ard f o ficers . It was
to . a weakness urge it There was, in truth , no way of saving him & Arnold o r he must have been the victim ; the former was o ut of our power . “ It was by some suspected, Arnold had taken his measures in such a manner, that if the interview had been discovered, in the act, it might have been in his power to sacrifice n Andre to his ow security . This surmise of double treason , made them imagine Clinton might be induced to give up Arnold for An dre ; and a gentleman took occasion to sug 75
gest this expedient to the latter, as a thing that might be pre posed by him & He declined it — the moment he had been guilty of so much frailty, I should have ceased to esteem him . “ ’ of r The infamy A nold s conduct, previous
hi s to his desertion, is only equalled by mean
f of ir ness since . Besides the olly writing to S
Henry Clinton, assuring him that Andre had acted under a passport from him, and accord f ing to his directions, while commanding o ficer
f not at a post, and that, there ore , he did doubt, he would be immediately in ; he had the effron t er to W y to write General ashington, to the
o f same purpose, with the addition a menace o f retaliation , if the sentence should be carried into execution . He has since acted the farce o f sending in his resignation . This man is th in every sense despicable . In addition to e
of scene knavery and prostitution, during his h h command in P iladelp ia, which the late seiz ure of his papers has unfolded ; the history of
his command at West- Point is a history of little a s well as great villanies . He practised every
ste e ed to art of peculation, and even p connex ions with the suttl ers of the garrison to defraud
the public .
of of To his conduct, that the captors Andre forms a striking contrast & he tem pted their in
t e rit h ff horse g y wit the o er of his watch, his , 76
sum h and any of money t ey Should name . They r ejected his offe rs with indignation & and the gold that could seduce a man high in th e
of r esteem and confidence his count y, who had of the remembrance past exploits, the motives o f present reputation and future glory t o prop his integrity, had no charms for three simple n peasants, leaning only o their virtue and a h sense of duty . W ile Arnold is handed down w r r ith exec ation to future times, poste ity will
m of V an Wart repeat with reverence the na es , P in Wi ia auld ll ms . g , and
REMARKS .
to . A few only, in addition those by Mr Gar d in Courier 1 8 enier, his editorial paragraph, , th S February, will be necessary . ome, as will be
so u perceived, have become by the subseq ent appearance of the P ennsylva nia article in o ur
It . a s . w papers republished here, and as de
l r d Ga rdenier e a e . w . by Mr D ight to Mr , at the request of Colonel Tallmadge he thereby vir t uall o w n fo r y making it his , responsible the
r u of t th the facts, and among them, for these “ of to be particularly noted , that the captors Major Andre took two watches from him ; that 77
’ they took eozn from him ; that he offered to re w ard them if th ey would take him to New Yo rk ; that they hesitated ; that he declared it as his Opinion, that the reason why they
so on did not do , was the impossibility, his to f part, to secure them the performance o the promise ; that the informant o f the writer of the article supported him to the place o f execution ; that on the way he sent for C0 10 m nel Tallmadge to co e ne ar him , that he might learn the manner in which he was to ” t o o f die . As some these facts, let it be briefly repeated and stated , that the captors aver the only m oney or curr ency they took from
w a s a er one him p p , and that they took only watch that, according to General Hamilton , the unfortunate man was not ascertained of the manner in which he was to suffer until by
h o f the sig t the fatal mean, the gibbet, all pre v ious notice o r intimation of it having been designedly withheld from him and that so far
su orted s ra n on from requiring to be pp , he p y the f cart and performed the last o fice himself. As
one of to the facts, Colonel Tallmadge is even of at variance with himself. In the report his
to sa speech in Congress he is made y, that the
dem a nded captors the reward, and specified the
a mount h r re used to ive , and t at Majo Andre f g it ; when considered as speaking through the P enn 78
s lva nia ered y article , he says, that Major Andre ofi
re used to e the reward and they f tak it . If the
a ct evidence last is the f , we have then the , as furnished by Colonel Tallmadge himself, of the ver viri ue considera tion of y , the the honours and bounty o f their country to them ; but if the
is a ci first the f , then they are unquestionably — to be given up as bribed they were bribed in i/i eir li ea ris , and that is enough ; protesting, solemnly protesting, at the same time, against
hearsa of the y, the declarations Major Andre,
roo BRIBE & and , by whomsoever repeated, as p f . — Has Colonel Tallmadge been hitherto uncon of fl o scious the re ection , how hon urable to the
of o ur to character country at the time, those who were in the revolution, to the cause itself of sin ie the revolution, Arnold the y instance where the defection to be traced to a bribe & o inion of on It was the p Major Andre , and, his a ui/zorii o inion of y, it became the p Colonel
Tallmadge , that if Major Andre could have sum given to the captors the they demanded, they would have released him . It is said to
o f have been the Opinion Sir Robert Walpole,
has lais ri c ever e. that y man p The sentiment, as o ne meant by him, is licentious ; still, in view i t o f s o o . it, there is reason to fear it true
I o r Whenever deviate from truth rectitude,
f sordid or a and whether rom vile lucre , wh tever 7 9
the the m may be gratification , te pter may be said to have succeeded with his bribe ; he has
ound m rice I f y p . apply this remark to m y self, and do not hesitate to apply it to John
Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, and David Williams ; hence it behooves them and me to be ever “ rsi cast a si one guarded how we fi . “ ” Cowboys When the British troops a d v a nced a u into Westchester County, in the t um n 1 7 6 o f w ho of 7 , those the inhabitants
u off were in favour Of the revol tion, moved
th e of to northern towns the county, or to the
or adjacent towns in Dutchess County, Connec ticut ; those who were Opposed t o it remained . The British and American lines soon became
so stationary, and remained generally through
of the war, leaving a Space country between them from the North River to the Sound, and in depth from the town Of Westchester t o the
h of sout ern frontier the northern towns, in the county, a distance of about twenty miles . At 2 th 1 6 Co n this j uncture , 7 December, 7 7 , the v ention Of re uir the state passed a resolve, q h ing all the male in abitants of the county, of th e of age sixteen years and upwards, without discrimination , to take an oath of allegiance to w o r o ut the state, ithin a limited time , be put Of the protection of the state, and treated as ” ‘ Of R ecusa nzs Open enemies . The pillage the , 80
o r w ho re used those f to take the oath, although
le a liz ed w a s no tw ith in this manner y , still, and standing the hostility between the parties in
a s the contest, considered disreputable ; but whether the cases in which it actually took place , and whether the persons engaged in it,
Cowbo s called in contumely y , and at times also skinners o n o r direci , would, inquiry, the regular
r p oof being called for, appear as numerous as ’ from Colonel Tallmadge s representation, we would be led to suppose they were, I think b e may be questioned . Indeed, if we are to lieve they were so in numbers as to form a cla ss t o Of persons, and if it also appertained them to be passing between both armies, and ” o ne as Often in camp as the other, we may fi nd f then perhaps some di ficulty in believing, at the same time, there was due vigilance in the Officers in command on the lines — scarce a day and the enemy not furnished with int elli gence . Colonel Tallmadge has certainly been singularly unfortunate in applying the latter portion Of the description O f the Cowboy inter course and good fellowship with the enemy, to
John Paulding, it having happened , Of which, however , it is possible Colonel Tallmadge was
r th e unapp ized at time, that he was three
r times a p isoner, twice he escaped, and instantly again in arm s ; whe n captured the third time
82
than once, whence I suppose Colonel Tallmadge moved in this instance if not by sense of duty & m h and the answer has unifor ly been, t at where d ff a person oes an act, beneficial in its e ects to
another, the motive ought never to be made a question ; the act should be left to speak for t o itself, and the agent have entire credit for it ; ff but where the e ects the reverse , injurious, and
a ra v a t edl so fo r especially, as here, most gg y , unless Colonel Tallmadge meant these persons
f to a s were in uture be considered worthless, it
not t o is be conceived what he did mean, there f or the ormal artificial reasoning, that because one t o in no bad motive Obvious, a good be no one tended , will not always satisfy ; that w of can kno what passes in the heart another, there can be no more than a rational probable persuasion of it by deduction from the facts and circumstances ; that the declaration of the party, even where from necessity admissible , at b est feeble proof ; that correctness o f motive has us ually a s its concomitant consistency of conduct ; that sense Of duty is o f an highly n active nature , never abiding lo g with passivity and silence ; that at the same time it restrains fro m haste and indiscretion, indeed , where it
t o do so ha s f has failed , it ailed to entitle itself if to be received as excuse or apology, injury
com la ined has ensued . Major Andre p to Colonel 83
violence o r Tallmadge Of supposed unjustifiable , , ’ ow n robberz in Colonel Tallmadge s phase, Of the complaint not reported to the commander in chief or other person authorized to redress on it ; the aggressors, the persons charged, the spot, and never questioned ; he might have
talein i d been told that the y be ng prove , then
robber or whether y not, usually a question Of construction , and that, he being an enemy, and on t o his way the enemy, to take from him his watch, horse , saddle , bridle , and whatever other
ff r ht ul so e ects he had with him, was ig f , and his complaint satisfied ; he might have been told that Colonel Smith was frequently at h ead t o quarters, and familiarly there , and selected
- on of have the out post the west side the river, ’ m es Opposite to Dobbs Ferry, whence flags and to sages the enemy were usually despatched , and those from them received, intrusted to him , and so to have had an hOp e that the watch had
r Ol O been edeemed to be sent to his family . C n el Smith died a few months before Colonel ’ Tallmadge s intended disclosure in Congress,
la st Of witnesses the the , and hence the latter circumstance can now be only intimated as a t th e roba bili . p y The year after the capture ,
r medals, decreed to the capto s, presented to
th e r them with some solemnity, in p esence Of the army assembled in the neighbou rhood of 84 where Colonel Tallmadge was serving at the w time . T enty years thereafter he reads in the
Evenin P ost n o ur y , amo g journals Of the most ’ extensive circulation, General Hamilton s letter, republished for the express purpose Of preserv
l lfonument record of Fa cts ing it as a , a the ; for years and years together, he a member Of
one congress, Of the grand inquest Of the nation t o inquire into abuse and imposition, and these persons constantly yearly receiving a sum out o f w d the public treasury as a re ar , and which , him ow n according to , originated in their false suggestion, ought never to have been granted,
of and course to be recalled , and during the
of - whole Of the time, a period thirty seven years, and all these several occasions, and d others which might be mentione , were it not that these remarks would be considered a s
r thereby prot acted to an unnecessary length, PASSIVE occurring , and Colonel Tallmadge and — SILENT. One word more ; surely there neve r was an instance of such total disregard o f what
ff for others may feel and su er, and a purpose so l — f utterly, utterly trivia Let this su fice .
CURATOR .