Progress of the Conspiracy on the Part of the British Commander.--Major
John AndrÈ.
Although the correspondence with the enemy had been kept up nearly
eighteen months, it had always been under fictitious names by both
parties. The epistolary intercourse between Major AndrÈ and Mrs. Arnold,
begun before her marriage and continued after that event, afforded
a convenient medium of communication, which Arnold could turn to his
purpose without exciting the suspicions even of his wife. His advances
were made directly to Sir Henry Clinton, through the hands of Major
AndrÈ; and in this channel the correspondence was conducted to the end.
AndrÈ had the entire confidence of his commander, and was for a time his
aid-de-camp, till raised to a higher station. He affixed to his letters
the signature of John Anderson, and Arnold assumed the name of Gustavus.
They also wrote in a disguised hand, and used other devices to prevent
detection.
Without giving any certain clew to his name, rank, or character,
Arnold expressed in his first letters a dissatisfaction with the French
alliance, and touched upon other topics in such a manner as he thought
would please the British commander and attract his attention. He
likewise sent intelligence, which proved to be correct and important.
The same was repeated at different times, till at length General
Clinton's curiosity was awakened, and he employed every method in his
power to ascertain the identity of the person, who was opening himself
thus freely, and furnishing information of the greatest value. It was
obvious, from the nature of his communications, that he was a person
of consequence, who had a knowledge of the secret springs of American
affairs, and was on terms of intimacy with the leaders. To prevent the
possibility of detection, however, should his letters fall into
other hands than those for which they were intended, the language was
extremely guarded in every thing that related to the situation or person
of the writer.
At length, after putting together and weighing a variety of
circumstances, Sir Henry Clinton was satisfied, that his hidden
correspondent was General Arnold. He had no positive proof, but the
evidence was so conclusive in his own mind, that the correspondence was
continued upon that supposition. This discovery was not made, or rather
this conviction was not settled till subsequently to Arnold's trial by
a court-martial; and being then under a sort of disgrace, and not likely
again to be employed, the British commander did not look upon him to
be of so much importance, whatever might have been his military merits,
that it was an object worthy of his attention to bring him over merely
as an officer of rank. On the contrary, believing him to be more useful
as a correspondent where he was, than he would be when joined to the
British army, no tempting encouragements were held out to hasten his
desertion.
Things remained in this posture for some time, when the person wrote,
that he should certainly be soon employed again in the American service,
and made a direct offer to surrender himself, and in such a manner as to
contribute every possible advantage to his Majesty's arms. In a few days
Arnold took the command at West Point, and the affair then assumed a
magnitude and an interest, which it had not hitherto possessed.
General Clinton now saw a prospect before him, and an opening for a
successful operation, which claimed his immediate and assiduous care.
To get possession of West Point and its dependent posts, with their
garrisons, military stores, cannon, vessels, boats, and provisions,
appeared to him an object of such vast importance, that in attaining it
no reasonable hazard or expense ought to be spared. In the first place,
it would bring under his control the navigable waters of Hudson's River,
and in some degree facilitate his intercourse with the army in Canada,
as well as essentially derange the communication of the Americans
between the eastern and middle States. But other results, of much
greater consequence, might be anticipated by taking into view the
condition of affairs at the present stage of the campaign.
A French fleet and army, under the command of the Chevalier de Ternay
and Count de Rochambeau, had recently arrived in Rhode Island, and were
ready to cooperate with the Americans in an attack upon the British,
whenever a favorable opportunity should offer. Washington's army had
been augmented, and was gaining strength daily by new enlistments and
the temporary service of the militia. Many reasons induced Sir Henry
Clinton to believe, that an attempt was intended against New York, as
soon as a union could be concerted between the commanders of the two
allied forces. The information derived from his spies and the Tories
confirmed this belief. It was rumored, that Washington would move upon
Kingsbridge and Morrisania, while a detachment would menace or perhaps
attack Staten Island, and the French invade Long Island and approach the
city in that direction.
To execute such a scheme, it would be necessary for the Americans to
collect and deposit in some place large magazines of provisions and
military stores. Both from its position and its strength, West Point
would undoubtedly be chosen for the depot of these supplies. On this
ground alone, therefore, it was an object of the greatest importance
with the British commander to pursue any plan, which held out a promise
to put him in possession of that post. Such an event would not only
defeat the project of a combined attack, but distress both the opposing
armies to such a degree, by depriving them of supplies, that it would
cause disaffection and desertion in the American ranks, and excite
a spirit of discontent if not disgust among the French. When these
bearings of the subject are taken into view, it is no wonder that Sir
Henry Clinton should be extremely desirous to effect a purpose, which
would crown the campaign with triumphant success, and be of such immense
advantage to the King's service.
His original idea for executing the plan was, that every thing should
be in readiness to act when the two allied armies should begin their
movements towards New York, and after the magazines had all been
gathered into the depots on Hudson's River. If the posts and garrisons
had been surrendered at this moment, it would have deranged and
frustrated the operations of the allies. Washington must have instantly
retreated from Kingsbridge. The French troops on Long Island would have
been left unsupported, and must either have retired precipitately to
their ships, or more probably have fallen into the hands of the British.
Although Sir Henry Clinton kept the affair a profound secret to himself
and two or three officers, yet all the requisite preparations were
made. The troops were so posted that they could be put in motion at the
shortest notice, and vessels of suitable dimensions and properly manned
were ready. While things were in this train, the important news of
the defeat of General Gates in South Carolina reached New York. It was
questionable at first what course Washington would pursue in consequence
of this intelligence. It was supposed, that he would detach a part of
his army to the south, and thus change the aspect of the campaign at the
north. He was carefully watched by the spies; and it was ascertained,
that he did not send a man to the southward, nor make any apparent
alteration in his previous plans. It was inferred, that New York
was still his object, and this inference was rendered certain by
communications from General Arnold. The events, which immediately
followed, will be best described in the words of Sir Henry Clinton, as
contained in one of his letters to Lord George Germain.
"At this period," said he, "Sir George Rodney arrived with a fleet at
New York, which made it highly probable, that Washington would lay aside
all thoughts against this place. It became therefore proper for me no
longer to defer the execution of a project, which would lead to such
considerable advantages, nor to lose so fair an opportunity as was
presented, and under so good a mask as an expedition to the Chesapeake,
which every body imagined would of course take place. Under this feint
I prepared for a movement up the North River. I laid my plan before Sir
George Rodney and General Knyphausen, when Sir George, with that zeal
for his Majesty's service, which marks his character, most handsomely
promised to give me every naval assistance in his power.
"It became necessary at this instant, that the secret correspondence
under feigned names, which had been so long carried on, should be
rendered into certainty, both as to the person being General Arnold
commanding at West Point, and that in the manner in which he was
to surrender himself, the forts, and troops to me, it should be so
conducted under a concerted plan between us, as that the King's troops
sent upon this expedition should be under no risk of surprise or
counterplot; and I was determined not to make the attempt but under such
particular security.
"I knew the ground on which the forts were placed, and the contiguous
country, tolerably well, having been there in 1777; and I had received
many hints respecting both from General Arnold. But it was certainly
necessary that a meeting should be held with that officer for settling
the whole plan. My reasons, as I have described them, will, I trust,
prove the propriety of such a measure on my part. General Arnold
had also his reasons, which must be so very obvious, as to make it
unnecessary for me to explain them.
"Many projects for a meeting were formed, and consequently several
attempts made, in all of which General Arnold seemed extremely desirous,
that some person, who had my particular confidence, might be sent to
him; some man, as he described it in writing, of his own mensuration.
"I had thought of a person under this important description, who would
gladly have undertaken it, but that his peculiar situation at the time,
from which I could not release him, prevented him from engaging in it.
General Arnold finally insisted, that the person sent to confer with him
should be Adjutant-General Major AndrÈ, who indeed had been the person
on my part, who managed and carried on the secret correspondence."
From these facts it appears, that AndrÈ did not himself propose to
undertake this mission, nor engage in it voluntarily, but yielded to the
wishes of Sir Henry Clinton in conformity with the express solicitation
of Arnold. Although this circumstance does not affect the nature of
subsequent transactions, yet in its bearing on the character and motives
of AndrÈ it is worthy of remembrance.
The parents of AndrÈ were originally of Geneva. From that place they
removed to London, where this son was born. He was sent early in life
to Geneva for his education, but he returned to London before he was
eighteen years old. Being designed for the mercantile profession, he
entered the counting-house of a respectable establishment in London,
where he continued at least three or four years. During this period he
formed an ardent attachment for a young lady, which was reciprocated;
but the marriage was defeated by the opposition of the lady's father.
The strength of his passion for her is described in glowing colors, and
with much enthusiasm of feeling, in his interesting letters written at
the time to Miss Seward. She is there called Honora. Four years after
the engagement had been dissolved by parental authority, she was married
to another person. Till that time AndrÈ had cherished the delusive
fancy, that some propitious event would change the current of his
fortunes, and crown his wishes with success. Despair had now shut the
door of hope. The following lines, from Miss Seward's poetical tribute
to his memory, allude to this incident.
"While the fair-one's sighs Disperse, like April storms in sunny
skies, The firmer lover, with unswerving truth, To his first passion
consecrates his youth; Though four long years a night of absence prove,
Yet Hope's soft star shone trembling on his love; Till hovering Rumor
chased the pleasing dream, And veiled with raven-wing the silver beam."
From that moment AndrÈ became disgusted with his pursuits, and resolved
to seek relief from his bitter associations, and dissipate the memory
of his sorrows, in the turmoil and dangers of war. He joined the British
army in Canada, with a lieutenant's commission, and was taken prisoner
at the capture of St. John's by General Montgomery in the autumn of
1775. He was sent with other prisoners to Lancaster, in Pennsylvania,
where he remained a few months till he was exchanged. Not long
afterwards he said, in a letter to a friend, "I have been taken prisoner
by the Americans, and stripped of every thing except the picture of
Honora, which I concealed in my mouth. Preserving that, I yet think
myself fortunate." The picture had been delineated from the living
features of the object of his affection by his own hand.
To a graceful and handsome person, AndrÈ added many accomplishments of
mind and manners. He was passionately fond of the fine arts, and had
attained very considerable skill in drawing and painting. A journal of
his travels and campaigns in America, which he kept from the time of his
first arrival in Canada, contained lively and picturesque sketches of
the people, their dresses, houses, and other objects, illustrating the
habits of life, customs, and amusements of the Canadians, Americans,
and Indians; and also drawings of animals, birds, insects, trees, and
plants, each in its appropriate colors. Landscapes, views, and plans
of places were interspersed, and connected by a narrative and written
descriptions. This journal was seen and perused in Philadelphia, while
the British had possession of that city. To a taste for poetry he united
a love of elegant letters, and his attainments in the various branches
of literature were extensive.
His epistolary writings, so far as specimens of them have been
preserved, show a delicacy of sentiment, a playfulness of imagination,
and an ease of style, which could proceed only from native refinement
and a high degree of culture.
These attractions, connected with an affable deportment, and the address
of a perfect gentleman, gained him ready access to all circles, and won
the hearts of numerous friends. A favorite in the army, and everywhere
admired in the walks of social life, his merits were soon discovered
by those, who had power to reward them. Unaided by any other
recommendation, than that of his own character, he was received into
the military family of Major General Grey as aid-de-camp, soon after his
release from captivity. In this station he remained till General Grey
returned to Europe, when he was transferred to the same post in the
family of Sir Henry Clinton.
Such was the confidence, and the respect for his talents, which he
inspired in Sir Henry Clinton, that, when a vacancy occurred in the
office of adjutant-general by the resignation of Lord Rawdon, he
appointed AndrÈ to fill the place at the head of the department. AndrÈ
was now only a captain in the service, and, the rank of major being
requisite for an adjutant-general, Sir Henry Clinton wrote to the
minister on the subject, and requested that he might accordingly be
promoted. The minister declined complying with the solicitation, on the
ground that AndrÈ was too young an officer for such an elevation. In
reply, General Clinton intimated surprise and a little displeasure, that
his request should be thus turned aside; and said he could not fix his
choice on any other person so suitable for the office, and therefore
he should continue to employ AndrÈ to discharge its duties, and should
forbear for the present to make any other appointment.
This representation was successful. The rank of major was conferred
on AndrÈ, and Sir Henry Clinton then applied in form to have him
commissioned by the King, as adjutant-general of the army in America.
The letter containing his application was dated only three weeks
preceding the capture of AndrÈ. Hence he did not receive the commission
before his death, although he had for nearly a year filled the office of
adjutant-general.