date, in answer to mine of the 7th of July, also a letter from
your house of the 24th July, in answer to mine of the 15th,
with a note from Mr. B----, of the 30th July; with an extract
of a letter from Mr. J. Osborne of the 24th. I have paid
particular attention to the contents of the several letters;
had they arrived earlier, you should have had my answer sooner.
A variety of circumstances has prevented my writing you before.
I expect to do it very fully in a few days, and to procure you
an interview with Mr. M----e, when you will be able to settle
your commercial plan, I hope, agreeable to all parties. Mr.
M----e assures me that he is still of opinion that his first
proposal is by no means unreasonable, and makes no doubt,
when he has had a conference with you, that you will close
with it. He expects, when you meet, that you will be fully
authorized from your House; that the risks and profits of the
copartnership may be fully and clearly understood.
“A speculation might at this time be easily made to some
advantage with _ready money_; but there is not the quantity
of goods _at market_ which your partner seems to suppose, and
the number of speculators below, I think, will be against
your making an immediate purchase. I apprehand goods will be
in greater plenty, and much cheaper, in the course of the
season; both dry and wet are much wanted and in demand at this
juncture; some quantities are expected in this part of the
country soon. Mr. M----e flatters himself that in the course of
ten days he will have the pleasure of seeing you; he requests
me to advise you, that he has ordered a draft on you in favor
of our mutual friend S----y for £300, which you will charge on
account of the _tobacco_. I am, in behalf of Mr. M----e & Co.,
Sir, your obedient humble servant,
“GUSTAVUS.
“Mr John Anderson, Merchant,
“To the care of James Osborne, to be left at the Reverend Mr.
Odell’s, New York.”
Next from Lower Salem, dated Sept. 6th, came a letter from Sheldon to
Arnold.[40] He reports having placed the messages as Arnold directed.
His letter closes with the following paragraph:
“The person mentioned is not returned from his Excursion. I
have forwarded Mrs. Arnold’s letter for Major Gibs to Col.
DeLancey and wrote him on the subject; in answer he writes me
that if any articles are sent to him for Mrs. Arnold he will
take particular care of them and inform me immediately. I
fear the matter may be attended with some difficulty, as I am
informed Gen. Parsons will take command on the lines tomorrow,
however will do the best I can to secreet the articles should
they come within my power. I have the Honor to be Dear Sir,
with great Esteem & Regard Your most obt. Humbl. Sert.
“ELISHA SHELDON.”
With the intention of reaching Arnold, but not caring to address him
directly, Major André’s next letter was directed to Sheldon, as follows:
“NEW YORK, 7 Sept. 1780. _Sir_: I am told my name is made known
to you, and that I may hope your indulgence in permitting me to
meet a friend near Your outposts. I will endeavour to obtain
permission to go out with a flag which will be sent to Dobbs’
Ferry on Sunday next the 11th at 12 o’clock, when I shall
be happy to meet Mr. G. Should I not be allowed to go, the
officer who is to command the escort, between whom and myself
no distinction need be made, can speak on the affair. Let me
entreat you, Sir, to favor a matter so interesting to the
parties concerned, and which is of so private a nature that the
public on neither side can be injured by it.
“I shall be happy on my part of doing any act of kindness to
you in a family or property concern, of a similar nature.
“I trust I shall not be detained but should any old grudge be
a cause for it, I should rather risk that than neglect the
business in question or assume a mysterious character to carry
on an innocent affair and as friends have advised get to your
lines by stealth. I am with all regard Yr most humble sert.
“JOHN ANDERSON.”
Shortly before the arrival of the above letter Colonel Sheldon received
a note from Arnold reading:
“ROBINSON’S HOUSE, 7 September, 1780.--Since I saw you, I have
had an opportunity of transmitting a letter to the person
in New York, of whom I made mention, and am in expectation
of procuring a meeting at your quarters. If I can bring
this matter about, as I hope, I shall open a channel of
intelligence, that will be regular and to be depended upon. I
am, &c.
“B. ARNOLD.”
Sheldon was evidently mystified by these letters, and so from Lower
Salem on September 9th, 1780, addressed Arnold:
“_Dear Sir_; Enclosed I send you a letter, which I received
last evening from New York, signed John Anderson, who mentions
his being made known to me. If this is the person you mentioned
in your favor of yesterday, he must have had his information
by your letter, as I never heard his name mentioned before I
received the letter. I hope you will not fail meeting him at
Dobbs’s Ferry; if you cannot meet him yourself, pray send some
person that you can confide in. I am so much out of health,
that I shall not be able to ride that distance in one day. I
am, &c.
“ELISHA SHELDON.”
Arnold showed alarm upon receiving this letter. Probably because André
had spoken in such a manner as he feared would excite suspicion. In his
reply to Sheldon he says:
“ROBINSON’S HOUSE, 10 September, 1780.
“_Dear Sir_; I received last night your favor of yesterday.
You judge right. I wrote to Mr. Anderson on the 3d instant,
requesting him to meet me at your quarters, and informed
him that I had hinted the matter to you, and that you would
send any letter to me, or inform me of his arrival. I did
not mention his name in my letter to you, as I thought it
unnecessary. I was obliged to write with great caution to him.
My letter was signed Gustavus, to prevent any discovery in
case it fell into the hands of the enemy.
“From the tenor of Mr. Anderson’s letter, (in particular that
part where he says, ‘The officer, who commands the escort,
between whom and myself no distinction need be made, can speak
on the affair,’) I am led to conjecture my letter has been
intercepted. There are several things in the letter, which
appear mysterious. As you are unwell, and I want to go to
Verplanck’s Point to give directions in some matters there,
I am determined to go as far as Dobbs’s Ferry and meet the
flag. If Mr. Anderson should not be permitted to come out
with the flag and should find means to come to your quarters,
I wish you to send an express to let me know; and send two
or three horsemen to conduct him on the way to meet me, as
it is difficult for me to ride so far. If your health will
permit, I wish you to come with him. I have promised him your
protection, and that he shall return in safety. I am convinced
of his inclination to serve the public; and if he has received
my letter, and in consequence thereof should come to your
quarters, I make no doubt to fix a mode of intelligence, that
will answer my wishes.
“If General Parsons has arrived, I wish you to show him my
letter, and tell him that my request is to have Mr. Anderson
escorted to meet me. Please to write me by return of the
express through what channel you received Mr. Anderson’s
letter, and if your emissary has returned. I am, with great
regard, &c.
“B. ARNOLD.”
Sheldon’s reply to Arnold’s above was prompt. It is dated Lower Salem,
12 September, 1780.
“_Dear General_, In your favor of the 10th instant, you desired
to know, through what channel I received Mr. Anderson’s
letter. It was by a flag that came to our lines, and forwarded
to me by Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson. It came to me sealed. The
person, so often mentioned, has returned from New York, where
he was detained ten days before he could obtain permission
to return. He was not suffered to leave his quarters, unless
escorted by some person appointed by the Commanding Officer for
that purpose; by which means he had no opportunity of gaining
any intelligence of consequence. He will be at your quarters
within a few days. His name is Elijah Hunter. General Parsons
had not arrived at North Castle yesterday at twelve o’clock. I
am to inform you that I have been in arrest two or three days,
on a complaint exhibited to head-quarters by a villain by the
name of Darius Stoddard, for defrauding the public, together
with sundry other charges. I have the honor to be, &c.
“E. SHELDON.”
General Washington momentarily expected the British boats to ascend
the Hudson, as is evident by his letter to Arnold preparing for that
emergency. Answering it from Headquarters at Robinson’s House on
September 12, 1780, Arnold in a paragraph saves the barge crew for
himself and enables us to record the regiment to which they belonged.
He says:
“... The order, contained in the postscript of your
Excellency’s letter of the 7th, to send the eight bargemen of
Colonel Putnam’s regiment to join their regiment, I conceive to
be on a supposition of their being idle at West Point. I beg
leave to observe, that they are now employed as my bargemen;
that all the militia oarsmen had, previous to the receipt of
the order, been drafted, and sent to different commands, at
King’s Ferry and elsewhere, so that it is out of my power to
procure a proper crew for my barge; for which reason I have
thought proper to detain them until I receive your Excellency’s
further orders on the subject.[41]
“BENEDICT ARNOLD.”
Arnold now started to meet John Anderson, as appointed in his letter
of September 7th. For this purpose he set out in his barge on Sunday
afternoon; passed the night at Joshua Smith’s house, and on the morning
of the 11th of September descended nineteen miles to Dobbs’ Ferry.
There is every reason to believe that André was nearby, expecting him,
but as Arnold’s barge drew near some British gun boats opened such a
fire that Arnold was put in peril of his life and obliged to fall back.
In the hope of being followed he retired to an American post on the
west shore, above the ferry, where he remained until sundown, but no
flag came. That night he returned to West Point and André went back to
New York.
_Simcoe Wished to Capture Washington_
During the first week in September Major André had arranged that
Colonel Simcoe and the Rangers were to take an active part in the
surrender of West Point. Word now reached the Colonel that he was to
be ready to embark upon the arrival of Sir George Rodney’s fleet, and
it was rumored for an intended expedition into the Chesapeake. This so
upset Colonel Simcoe that he hastily and in great distress appealed by
letter to Major André. Immediately upon his return from Dobbs’ Ferry
the Major answered him, as follows:
“September 12, 1780. _Dear Simcoe_: Rely upon it your alarms
are vain. Colonel Watson or you, one or the other, will not
embark. I should have been happy to have seen you and have
hinted that apparent arrangements are not always real ones, but
I beg you to seek no explanation. I should not say what I do
but I cannot, without concern, see you in any uneasiness I can
relieve.
“JOHN ANDRÉ.”
André followed this letter to Oyster Bay and with Simcoe planned for
the capture of General Washington,[42] which plan was not approved of
by Sir Henry Clinton when it was presented to him a few days later.
Simcoe nevertheless prepared for any emergency. An order among the
papers of Captain Daniel Youngs reads:
“OYSTER BAY 14th September, 1780. _Sir_: By order of Colo.
Simcoe am directed to desire you to furnish seven waggons or
oxteams upon the next advice sent of the Regt. moving. These
waggons will be discharged the first Post the Regt. halts at.
This is only to intimate to you to have the teams in readiness
upon the first notice that the baggage, stores &c. of the
Regt, may not suffer by delay when the march is ordered. Robert
Gardner, Sergt. (endorsed) Complied with, Quart. Master, Q. R.”
[Illustration: 8. Colonel John Graves Simcoe and prominent British
Officers. 1. Lord Cornwallis, 2. Sir Henry Clinton, 3. Major John
André, 4. Admiral Arbuthnot, 5. Gen. John Burgoyne, 6. General
Riedesel, 7. Lord Rowdon.]
Meanwhile Benedict Arnold was uneasy. From James Livingston at
Verplanck’s Point came a letter dated Septr. 13th, reading:
“_Dear General_: I am just now informed by the inhabitants of
Tarry Town, that Colo. Robinson came there in a Barge under
pretence of a Flagg, but think its more probable to reconnoitre
the country. I have not the least doubt they will shortly send
out a Foraging Party as the country between this and New York
lies entirely exposed.
“If you think it advisable I will send a party to endeavour to
give them a check in case they should come as high as Tarry
Town. I have ordered the inhabitants to drive off their cattle
should the enemy appear in force.
“JAMES LIVINGSTON.”
Arnold on the same day directed a long letter to Major Tallmadge,
similar as it concerned Anderson to his letter to Sheldon of the 10th.
A postscript reads:
“If Mr. James Anderson, a person I expect from New York should
come to your quarters, I have to request that you will give him
an escort of two Horse to bring him on his way to this place,
and send an express to me that I may meet him.
“B. ARNOLD.”
Then he again addressed Mr. John Anderson, as follows:
“September 15th.--_Sir_: On the nth at noon, agreeable to your
request, I attempted to go to Dobb’s Ferry, but was prevented
by the armed boats of the enemy, which fired upon us; and I
continued opposite the Ferry till sunset.
“The foregoing letter was written to caution you not to mention
your business to Colonel Sheldon, or any other person. I
have no confidant. I have made one too many already, who has
prevented some profitable speculation. I will send a person in
whom you can confide by water to meet you at Dobb’s Ferry at
the landing on the east side, on Wednesday the 20th instant,
who will conduct you to a place of safety, where I will meet
you. It will be necessary for you to be disguised, and, if the
enemy’s boats are there, it will favor my plan, as the person
is not suspected by them. If I do not hear from you before, you
may depend on the person’s being punctual at the place above
mentioned. My partner, of whom I hinted in a former letter, has
about ten thousand pounds cash in hand ready for a speculation
if any should offer, which appears probable. I have already one
thousand pounds on hand and can collect fifteen hundred more in
two or three days. Add to this I have some credit. From these
hints you may judge of the purchase that can be made. I cannot
be more explicit at present. Meet me if possible. You may rest
assured, that, if there is no danger in passing your lines, you
will be perfectly safe where I propose a meeting, of which you
shall be informed on Wednesday evening, if you think proper to
be at Dobb’s Ferry. Adieu, and be assured of the friendship of
“GUSTAVUS.”
This letter, although promptly received by Major André, never reached
Clinton’s headquarters. A copy of it was left by one of the crew of a
Connecticut privateer in the pay of Sir Henry Clinton, at the Townsend
House, Oyster Bay, and another copy was forwarded several days later
with the following note added:
“September 18th, The foregoing I found means to send by a very
honest fellow, who went to Kingsbridge on the 16th, and I have
no doubt you received it. But as there is a possibility of its
miscarriage, I send a copy, and am fully persuaded that the
method I have pointed out to meet you is the best and safest,
provided you can obtain leave to come out.”
On the 16th the Vulture again conveyed Beverly Robinson up the river.
Pretending to believe that General Putnam still commanded in the
Highlands, Robinson addressed a note to him requesting an interview
on the subject of his confiscated property, and sent this letter by a
flag, enclosed in one addressed to General Arnold; soliciting of him
the same boon should General Putnam be absent. This letter was received
at Verplanck’s by Livingston and forwarded to headquarters as Robinson
wished it to be.
On the 18th September, Washington with his suite crossed the Hudson to
Verplanck’s Point, in Arnold’s barge, on his way to Hartford. Arnold
accompanied him as far as Peekskill, and on the way laid before him
with affected frankness the letter of Colonel Robinson, and asked
his advice. Washington disapproved of any such interview, observing
that the civil authorities alone had cognizance of these questions of
confiscated property.
Arnold now openly sent a flag on board of the Vulture, as if bearing a
reply to the letter he had communicated to the commander-in-chief. His
message, addressed to Colonel Beverly Robinson, reads:
“September 18th, 1780.--_Sir_: I parted with his Excellency
General Washington this morning, who advises me to avoid
seeing you, as it would occasion suspicions in the minds of
some people, which might operate to my injury. His reason
appears to me to be well founded; but, if I were of a different
opinion, I could not with propriety see you at present. I
shall send a person to Dobb’s Ferry, or on board the Vulture,
Wednesday night the 20th instant, and furnish him with a
boat and a flag of truce. You may depend on his secrecy and
honor, and that your business of whatever nature shall be
kept a profound secret; and, if it is matter in which I can
officially act, I will do everything in my power to oblige
you consistantly with my duty. To avoid censure, this matter
must be conducted with the greatest secrecy. I think it will
be advisable for the Vulture to remain where she is until the
time appointed. I have enclosed a letter for a gentleman in
New York from one in the country on private business, which I
beg the favor of you to forward, and make no doubt he will be
particular to come at the time appointed. I am, &c.
“B. ARNOLD.[43]
“P. S. I expect General Washington to lodge here on Saturday
night next, and will lay before him any matter you may wish to
communicate.”
A further note on the opposite side of the sheet reads: “As no person
except His Excellency Genl. Washington shall be made acquainted with
them. The bearer, Capt. D. Archibald will take particular care of your
letters and deliver them to me with his own hand. B. A.”
On the same day Major André left Oyster Bay, crossed the Sound at
Flushing, and on the New York side met by appointment Sir Henry
Clinton, and together they rode to Mme Riedesel’s for a private
interview. A paragraph in her memoirs records this visit; she says:
“The country residence of General Clinton was an hour’s ride
from the city ... he invited us to spend the summer there.
It was a most beautiful situation, the Hudson River running
directly in front of the house.... Not far from us were the
Hell-gates.... We often saw ships in danger, but only one was
wrecked and went to pieces during our stay. General Clinton
came often to visit us, but in hunter’s dress, accompanied by
only one aid-de-camp.... The last time he came to see us he had
with him the unfortunate--as he afterwards became--Major André,
who, the day afterwards, set out upon the fatal expedition, in
which he was captured by the Americans, and afterwards hung as
a spy.”
This visit was followed by a dinner at Kip’s house in the vicinity of
Kip’s Bay, which was about where 2nd Avenue and 34th Street now is.
Ostensibly it was given to Clinton and his staff but in reality it was
as a parting compliment to André. The next day (Tuesday) he went by
way of King’s Bridge to Dobb’s Ferry and thence to the sloop of war,
Vulture, then probably at Teller’s Point. Reaching her about seven p.
m. he waited all the next day without message or news from Arnold. His
messages to Clinton explain the situation.
ON BOARD THE VULTURE, 21 September.
“_Sir_; As the tide was favorable on my arrival at the sloop
yesterday, I determined to be myself the bearer of your
Excellency’s letters as far as the Vulture. I have suffered for
it, having caught a very bad cold, and had so violent a return
of a disorder in my stomach which had attacked me a few days
ago, that Captain Sutherland and Colonel Robinson insist on my
remaining on board till I am better. I hope tomorrow to get
down again.”
In this letter he enclosed one meant for Clinton only, which read:
“_Sir_: I got on board the Vulture at about seven o’clock last
evening; and after considering upon the letters and the answer
given by Col. Robinson ‘that he would remain on board, and
hoped I should be up,’ we thought it most natural to expect the
man I sent into the Country here, and therefore did not think
of going to the Ferry. Nobody has appeared. This is the second
expedition I have made without an ostensible reason, and Col.
Robinson both times of the party. A third would infallibly fire
suspicions. I have therefore thought it best to remain here on
plea of sickness, as my enclosed letter will feign, and try
further expedients. Yesterday the pretence of a flag of truce
was made to draw people from the Vulture on shore. The boat was
fired upon in violation of the customs of war. Capt. Sutherland
with great propriety means to send a flag to complain of this
to General Arnold. A boat from the Vulture had very nearly
taken him on the 11th. He was pursued close to the float. I
shall favor him with a newspaper containing the Carolina news,
which I brought with me from New York for Anderson, to whom it
is addressed, on board the Vulture. I have the honor, &c.”
The ingenious artifice by which he contrived to let Arnold know that he
was waiting for him was written as follows:
“VULTURE, OFF TELLER’S POINT, 21 September.--_Sir_: I consider
it a duty to complain of any violation of the laws of arms, and
I am satisfied that I now do it where I cannot fail to meet
redress. It is therefore with reluctance I give you the concern
to know, that a flag of truce having been yesterday shown on
Teller’s Point, I sent a boat towards the shore, presuming
some communication was thereby solicited. The boat’s crew on
approaching received a fire from several armed men, who till
then had been concealed.[44] Fortunately none of my people were
hurt, but the treacherous intentions of those who fired are not
vindicated from that circumstance. I have the honor to be, &c.”
(This was signed by Sutherland and countersigned by John Anderson,
Secretary, and in André’s handwriting.)
FOOTNOTES to “JOHN ANDRÉ AND ARNOLD’S TREASON PLOT”:
[36] Dunlap, vol. 2, p. 171.
[37] The Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt in his Travels in North
America in 1795, says: “But for this inveterate hatred against the
United States, which he too loudly professes, and which carries him too
far, General Simcoe appears in the most advantageous light. He is just,
active, enlightened, brave, frank, and possesses the confidence of the
country, of the troops, and of all those who join him in administration
of public affairs.”
[38] Alexander Hamilton, in a letter to John Laurens, says: “The
project seems to have originated with Arnold himself, and to have been
long premeditated. The first overture is traced back to some time in
January last. It was conveyed in a letter to Colonel Robinson, the
substance of which was, that the ingratitude he had experienced from
his country, concurring with other causes, had entirely changed his
principles; that he now only sought to restore himself in the favour of
his king by some signal of his repentance and would be happy to open a
correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton for that purpose.”
[39] Sheldon says, in his letter of August 10th, 1780: “It mortifies
me not a little, that I am obliged to tell you that more than twenty
of the best of my horses, completely accoutred, are employed as common
Express Riders between this place and Newport exclusive of those which
I am obliged to employ on the same business in conveying despatches
as an intermediate post between Head Quarters and the first stage of
expresses. I hope as horses are much wanted on this advance post those
Dragoons who are employed on such extra service may soon be called to
more honorable duty.”
[40] Washington Papers, No. 19991.
[41] General Washington’s reply from Headquarters, Sept. 14th, 1780,
was: “... Under the circumstances you mention you may detain the men
of Colonel Putnam’s regiment, who are serving as bargemen to you;....
I shall be at Peekskill on Sunday evening, on my way to Hartford,
to meet the French admiral and general. You will be pleased to send
down a guard of a captain and fifty men at that time, and direct the
quartermaster to endeavour to have a night’s forage for about forty
horses. You will keep this to yourself, as I wish to make my journey a
secret. I am, &c. GO. WASHINGTON. (He was delayed in setting out. It
was Monday the 18th.)