stationed in that part of the river, and, closely pursued, barely escaped to the opposite side of the river. He went down toward the ferry, and remained till evening, but no meeting took place. He now returned to his head-quarters at the Robinson house, and began to make arrangements for another interview. Knowing that Washington was about to proceed to Hartford to meet the newly-arrived French officers, and that, while his absence would favor the consummation of his plans, it was of the utmost importance that no movement should be made that could excite suspicion until after his departure. In two days Arnold wrote to Andrè in his commercial style, intimating that a person would meet him on the west side of Dobbs's The hint was understood, and Andrè was fully authorized on that subject. Everything was now in readiness for Ferry, and conduct him to a place of the completion of the bargain. Arnold's first plan was to receive Andrè within the lines, and even at his own headquarters, as a person devoted to the American interests, who had the means of procuring important intelligence. This was a safe ground; for secret agents had always been employed, and Arnold, with consummate address, on being appointed to West Point, had requested La Fayette to give him the names of all the spies employed by him in New-York, as his situation at West Point would enable him to hold more frequent intercourse with them. La Fayette refused, esteeming himself bound in honor to reveal the name of a spy to no one; but Arnold's real design was not understood until after his treachery. His plan for a meeting was communicated to Andrè, with information that, if he could make his way safely to the American outposts above White Plains, he would find no obstructions thereafter. This was not entirely agreeable to Andrè, who was not disposed to go within the American lines, or in any way incur the odious name of a spy. He therefore proposed a meeting at Dobbs's Ferry, which was neutral ground. Arnold, leaving his quarters on the 10th, went down the river in his barge to King's Ferry, and passed the night at the house of Joshua Hett Smith, about two and a half miles from the ferry on the road to Haverstraw. Early in the morning he proceeded toward Dobbs's Ferry, where Andrè and Colonel Robinson were in waiting. Being without a flag of truce he was fired upon by the British gun-boats safety where the interview could be had. Sir Henry Clinton, who was not less anxious than Arnold for the completion of the scheme, had sent Colonel Robinson up the river on board the Vulture, with orders to proceed as far as Teller's Point. As Arnold's head-quarters were in Robinson's confiscated mansion, the Colonel found a ready pretext for writing to him in reference to the restoration of his property. The letter was directed to General Putnam, but was inclosed in one to Arnold, requesting him to hand it to Putnam. This of course gave intimation that Robinson was on board the Vulture. These letters were sent by a flag to Verplanck's Point, where Arnold received and read them on the very day that Washington commenced his journey to Hartford, and only a few hours before the arrival of the chief on the opposite shore. The traitor mentioned the contents with all frankness to several officers, and, with seeming integrity, laid the whole matter before Washington, asking his advice. The chief disapproved of an interview with Robinson, and the traitor dared not risk it, but replied to Robinson, ingeniously adding as a postscript: "I expect General Washington to land here on Saturday next, and I will lay before him any matter you may wish to communicate." Thus informing him of the time of the chief's return. The letters of Arnold were given to Clinton, and the next morning Andrè proceeded to Dobbs's Ferry under positive instructions not to go within the American lines, change his dress, or in any other way act as a spy. It was thought Arnold SMITH'S HOUSE. would visit the Vulture, but his own plan was a different one, and less hazardous to himself. He went to Joshua Hett Smith, and, as Smith alleges, without disclosing his real intentions, engaged him to meet Andrè, whom he represented as a person of consequence from New-York, with valuable intelligence from the enemy, and conduct him within the American lines, the interview, should it be protracted, to be at his house. In view of this Smith took his family to Fishkill on a visit, and returning stopped at Arnold's head-quarters for instructions. The General gave him a flag of truce, sent an order to Major Kieise at Stony Point to supply Smith with a boat, and directed Smith to visit the Vulture the following night, and bring the person he expected on shore. Smith failed in this at the appointed time, as Colquhon, one of his tenants, whom he relied upon as oarsman, refused to go. Colquhon was at once dispatched to Robinson House with a letter announcing the failure, which, by riding all night, he delivered at dawn. Early in the forenoon Arnold himself went down to Verplanck's Point, and thence to Smith's house. While here a letter was handed him from the captain of the Vulture, remonstrating against a violation of the rules of war by a party at Teller's Point. This letter, although signed by Sutherland, was in Andrè's hand-writing, and was designed to inform the traitor that he was on board the Vulture. He now hastened preparations to send Smith to that vessel the ensuing night. Arnold if they continued to refuse, at last consented to go. It was near midnight when the three, with muffled oars, pushed off from the shore. The night was tranquil and serene; the stars shone brightly; the water was unruffled, except by the gentle current; silently the boat approached the Vulture, and was hailed by the sentinel on board. All on board the vessel but Andrè, Robinson, and Captain Sutherland, were ignorant of the plot, and the boat was ordered alongside with many coarse nautical epithets. The noise was heard below, and orders were at once sent that the gentleman should be shown into the cabin. Smith bore the following sealed letter from Arnold : "This will be delivered to you by Mr. Smith, who will conduct you to a place of safety. Neither Mr. Smith nor any other person shall be made acquainted with your proposals. If that I can officially take notice of them, I shall they (which I doubt not) are of such a nature do it with pleasure. I take it for granted that Colonel Robinson will not propose anything that is not for the interest of the United States as well as himself." This was to guard against the consequences, should the letter fall into other hands. Major Andrè was introduced to Smith as John Anderson, and they both descended into the boat, and were soon out into the stream. They landed at the foot of a great hill, called Long Clove Mountain, on the west side of the river, about six miles below Stony Point, where Arnold lay concealed in the bushes; and Smith, first having found him, conducted Andrè thither. They were left alone; and, for the first time, amid the gloom of night, Arnold's lips uttered words of treason. As morning approached, Smith crept into the bushes, and reminded the conspirators that the boat must depart from its present station before daylight. There was much yet to be done before the object of their meeting could be entirely effected. Smith and the boatmen were hence allowed to return up the river, and Andrè, mounting the servant's horse, accompanied Arnold to Smith's house. He was dressed in his uniform, but completely covered up in a long blue surtont. As they proceeded the voice of the sentinel, demanding the He countersign, startled Andrè, and awakened ordered a boat to be sent to a certain place his fears; but it was too late to recede. in Haverstraw Creek, and Colquhon and They reached Smith's house just at dayhis brother, threatened with punishment by break, and at that moment heard a cannon ade in the direction of the Vulture. Colonel Livingston, hearing that the vessel lay so near the shore, had opened a sharp fire from Teller's Point, which led the Vulture to hoist her anchors and drop down the river. Andrè, who, from the upper chamber, could see the firing, watched it with anxious solicitude, but felt relieved when it had ceased. During the morning everything was arranged. Arnold was to weaken the various posts under his command; a link from the great chain across the river, at Constitution Island, was to be removed and weakened, so that this should form no barrier to the passage of vessels; and the British troops, already embarked, under pretext of an expedition to the Chesapeake, were to be ready to move up the river at a moment's warning. Arnold supplied Andrè with the needful explanatory papers, which were put between his stockings and his feet, with instructions, in case of accident, to destroy them. All being completed, he gave Andrè the following pass : "HEAD-QUARTERS, ROBINSON HOUSE, "Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to White Plains, or below, if he chooses, he being on public business by my direction." and turned their faces toward the British camp. Smith was jocular, and assumed to be quite unconcerned, but Andrè was silent and reserved. They met no special interruption until between eight and nine o'clock, when, about eight miles below Verplanck's Point, they were hailed by the sentinel of a patrolling party. Smith dismounted, and went through a most searching examination by Captain Boyd. Even his pass did not screen him from the curious and wondering inquiries of this officer. Andrè, in the mean time, was anxious almost to trembling. Smith answered and prevaricated as well as he could, stating that himself and Mr. Anderson were on their way to meet a person at White Plains, from whom they expected important intelligence, and that they must proceed as expeditiously as possible. Boyd now magnified the perils of their journey, to which Smith listened with open ears, and, in spite of the remonstrances of Andrè, resolved to tarry for the night. Andrè spent a weary and restless night at the house of Andreas Miller, and at the first dawn of light was up and prepared for his journey. Once more on his way, he became more cheerful and talkative, and they journeyed on till they came within two and a half miles of B.Arnold M. Sind Pine's Bridge, which marked the limit of the American territory. Here they partook of a frugal breakfast, at the house of a good Dutchwoman, and the company parted, leaving Andrè to pursue his journey alone over the neutral ground. This was a territory of several miles between the two armies, occupied by neither. It was, however, infested with two species of banditti, known respectively as Cow Boys and Skinners. The first professed to adhere to the British, or lower party, and the second to the Americans, or upper party. Andrè, fearing the Skinners, and preferring to fall into the hands of the Cow Boys, who Boyd had said were most numerous on the Tarrytown road, after crossing the bridge took that direction. Arnold went up the river in his barge, believing his abominable scheme complete. Before he left he urged Smith to return Andre to the Vulture as soon as it was dark. Andrè waited till evening, and then applied to Smith to take him back to the vessel; but Smith positively refused, offering to ride half the night with him on horseback, if he would take a land route. There was no alternative, and Andrè yielded to the force of circumstances. Contrary to Sir Henry's instructions, he had been prevailed upon by Arnold, in case he took a land route, of which some- There was at this time a law of the thing had been said, to exchange his mili-State of New-York, which authorized any tary coat for a citizen's dress. Thus dis- person to seize, and convert to his own robed, a little before sunset, on the evening use, all cattle or beef that should be driven of the 22d, accompanied by Smith and a or removed from the country, in the direcnegro servant, they crossed King's Ferry, tion of the city, beyond a certain line in SCENE OF ANDRE'S CAPTURE. Westchester county. It so happened that, on the morning that Andrè crossed Pine's Bridge, a party went out near Tarrytown to look for booty of this kind. Four of the party were detailed to watch the road from a hill above, and three of them, viz., Paulding, Van Wart, and David Williams, were to lie concealed in the bushes by the stream near the post-road. Such was the position of the parties when Andrè approached. The capture is best related, as given by Mr. Sparks, from the testimony of Paulding and Williams, at the trial of Smith: fire "Myself," said Paulding, "Isaac Van Wart, and David Williams, were lying by the side of the road about half a mile above Tarrytown, and about fifteen miles above Kingsbridge, on Saturday morning, between nine and ten o'clock, the 23d of September. We had lain there about an hour and a half, as near as I can recollect, and saw seyeral persons we were acquainted with, whom we let pass. Presently, one of the young men who were with me said, 'There comes a gentleman-like looking man, who appears to be well dressed, and has boots on, and whom you had better step out and stop, if you don't know him.' On that I got up, and presented my lock at the breast of the person, and told him to stand, and then I asked him which way he was going. Gentlemen,' said he, I hope you belong to our party.' I asked him what party. He said, 'The Lower Party.' Upon that I told him I did. Then he said, 'I am a British officer, out in the country on particular business, and I hope you will not detain me a minute,' and, to show that he was a British officer, he pulled out his watch. Upon which I told him to dismount. He then said, 'My God! I must do anything to get along,' and seemed to make a kind of laugh of it, and pulled out General Arnold's pass, which was to John Anderson, to pass all guards to White Plains and below. Upon this he dismounted. Said he, 'Gentlemen, you had best let me go, or you will bring yourselves into trouble, for your stopping me will detain the general's business;' and said he was going to Dobbs's Ferry to meet a person there and get intelligence for General Arnold. Upon that I told him I hoped he would not be offended; that we did not mean to take anything from him; and I told him there were many bad people on the road, and I did not know but perhaps he might be one." Paulding asked his name; he told him it was John Anderson, and produced General Arnold's pass, when he would have let him go, if he had not before called himself a British officer. "We took him into the bushes," said Williams, "and ordered him to pull off his clothes, which he did; but, on searching him narrowly, we could not find any sort of writings. We told him to pull of his boots. which he seemed to be indifferent about; but we got one boot off, and searched in that boot and could find nothing. But we found there were some papers in the bottom of his stocking next to his foot; on which we made him pull his stocking off, and looked at the contents, and said he was a spy. found three papers wrapped up. Mr. Paulding We then made him pull off his other boot, and there we found three more papers at the bottom of his foot within his stocking. I asked him what he would give us to let him "Upon this we made him dress himself, and go. He said he would give us any sum of money. I asked him whether he would give us his horse, saddle, bridle, watch, and one hunwould direct them to any place, even if it was dred guineas. He said 'Yes,' and told us he that very spot, so that we could get them. I asked him whether he would not give us more. He said he would give us any quantity of dry goods, or any sum of money, and bring it to any place that we might pitch upon, so that we might get it. Mr. Paulding answered, 'No; if you would give us ten thousand guineas, you should not stir one step.' I then asked the person who had called himself John Anderson if he would not get away if it lay in his power. He answered, Yes I would.' I told him I did not intend he should. While taking him along, we asked him a few questions, and we stopped under a shade. He begged us not to ask him questions, and said when he came to any commander he would reveal all. "He was dressed in a blue over-coat, and a tight body-coat, that was of a kind of claret color, though a rather deeper red than claret. The button-holes were laced with gold tinsel, and the buttons drawn over with the same kind of lace. He had on a round hat, and nankeen waistcoat and breeches, with a flannel waistcoat and drawers, boots, and thread stockings." The nearest military post was at North Castle, where Colonel Jameson was in command. To this place Andrè was taken by his captors. Jameson examined the papers, saw they were of the most danger ous character, and in the undisguised hand of Arnold, yet he strangely resolved to send Andrè at once to Arnold. He wrote to the General describing Andrè, the mode of his arrest, and the papers, and started him under escort for West Point. The papers were dispatched to General Washington. Major Tallmadge, who was absent at the time, on his return expressed his surprise at the strange course that had been pursued, and through his persuasion Andrè was brought back and sent for safe keeping to Colonel Sheldon's quarters, Lower Salem, which were further within the American lines. Considering escape hopeless, Andrè penned a letter to General Washington, which he handed open to Major Tallmadge, who read with amazement both its contents and the rank of his prisoner. It was noble in its style and language. We have room but for the following extract: "It is to vindicate my fame that I speak, and not to solicit security. The person in your possession is Major John Andrè, adjutant general to the British army. war. 66 The influence of one commander in the army of his adversary is an advantage taken in A correspondence for this purpose I held, as confidential, (in the present instance,) with his excellency Sir Henry Clinton. To favor it, I agreed to meet, upon ground not within the posts of either army, a person who was to give me intelligence. I came up in the Vulture man-of-war for this effect, and was fetched by a boat from the ship to the beach. Being here. I was told that the approach of day would prevent my return, and that I must be concealed until the next night. I was in my regimentals, and had fairly risked my person. 66 Against my stipulations, my intention, and without my knowledge beforehand, I was conducted within one of your posts. Your excellency may conceive my sensation on this occasion, and must imagine how much more must I have been affected by a refusal to reconduct me back the next night as I had been brought. Thus become a prisoner, I had to concert my escape. I quitted my uniform, and was passed another way in the night, without the American posts, to neutral ground, and informed I was beyond all armed parties, and left to press for NewYork. I was taken at Tarrytown by some volunteers. Thus, as I have had the honor to relate, was I betrayed (being adjutant general of the British army) into the vile condition of an enemy in disguise within your posts. "Having avowed myself a British officer, I have nothing to reveal but what relates to myself, which is true on the honor of an officer and a gentleman. The request I have to make to your excellency, and I am conscious I address myself well, is, that in any rigor policy may dictate, a decency of conduct toward me may mark that, though unfortunate, I am branded with nothing dishonorable, as no motive could be mine but the service of my king, and as I was involuntarily an impostor.' With such skill had the whole plot been conducted that no suspicion of Arnold's fidelity had been aroused. When he had reached his head-quarters, after leaving Andrè, he conversed freely with his aids about the important information he expected from New-York, and even on the day that was to complete his scheme of guilt, he was as calm as usual. Washington returned on the 24th, by an unexpected route to Fishkill, where he was detained over night by M. de la Luzerne on important business. Very early in the morning, however, he sent off his baggage, and at dawn was in his saddle anxious to reach Arnold's head-quarters for breakfast. When opposite West Point, Washington's horse was discovered to be turning into a narrow road that led toward the river. La Fayette said to him :— "General, you are going in the wrong direction; you know Mrs. Arnold is waiting breakfast for us, and that road will take us out of the way." Washington smilingly replied, "Ah, I know you young men are all in love with Mrs. Arnold, and wish to get where she is as soon as possible. You may go and take your breakfast with her, and tell her not to wait for me; I must ride down and examine the redouts on this side of the river, and will be there in a short time." With the exception of two aids-de-camp who rode on to explain the detention, the officers remained with the chief. The aids found the breakfast waiting, and with the family at once sat down to eat. Before they arose, a messenger came in with a letter for Arnold, which he opened and read in the presence of the company. It was Jameson's letter, and contained the first news of Andrè's capture. Agitated as he must have been with emotion, he yet concealed it. He informed the officers he must immediately leave on important business for West Point, wishing them to apologize to General Washington for his absence, and promised soon to return. Having ordered his horse, he immediately left the table and went up to Mrs. Arnold's chamber and sent for her. He hastily told her they must instantly part, perhaps forever, for another messenger might in a few moments arrive, which would lead to his arrest and certain death. Horrorstruck, Mrs. Arnold swooned and fell senseless to the floor. Not daring to call for help, he left her in that state, his in |
