AndrÈ makes known his true Character.--His Letter to Washington.--Escape
of Arnold to the Enemy.--Washington arrives at West Point.
The course pursued by Jameson was extraordinary and inexplicable. On
examining the papers, he found them to be in the undisguised handwriting
of General Arnold, with which he was perfectly acquainted. Their
contents and the manner of their being found were such, as, one would
think, could not fail to excite suspicion in the most obtuse mind,
whatever might be the rank or character of the party concerned.
There were six separate papers, as follows. First, artillery orders,
which had recently been published at West Point, giving directions how
each corps should dispose of itself in case of an alarm. This paper was
of the utmost importance, as it would enable the enemy, when they should
make an attack, to know the precise condition of every part of the
garrison. Secondly, an estimate of the force at West Point and its
dependencies. Thirdly, an estimate of the number of men requisite to man
the works. Fourthly, a return of the ordnance in the different forts,
redoubts, and batteries. Fifthly, remarks on the works at West Point,
describing the construction of each, and its strength or weakness.
Sixthly, a report of a council of war lately held at headquarters, which
contained hints respecting the probable operations of the campaign,
and which General Washington had sent to Arnold a few days before,
requesting his opinion on the subjects to which it referred.
Considering the extreme caution, which Arnold had practised on every
other occasion, particularly in disguising his letters, it is not
the least remarkable incident in his conspiracy, that papers of
this character, by far the most important and hazardous that he had
communicated, should, in his own handwriting, be entrusted to a channel
so much exposed to accident. *
* All these original papers, as they came from AndrÈ's boots, have been
carefully preserved, and are now before me. They are copied throughout
in Arnold's usual handwriting, and their contents are endorsed on
the back of each in the same hand. To those, who are fond of tracing
coincidences, it may be a curious fact, that the last canto of AndrÈ's
humorous satire, called the "Cow Chace," was first printed on the very
day of his capture. It will be found in Rivington's Royal Gazette for
September 23d, 1780. It ends with the following prophetic stanza.
"And now I've closed my epic strain, I tremble as I show it, Lest this
same warrior-drover, Wayne, Should ever catch the poet."
With these papers in his hands, bearing incontestable marks of their
origin, and procured in a way that indicated most unequivocally the
designs of the person with whom they were found, Jameson resolved to
send the prisoner immediately to Arnold! How far he was influenced
by the persuasion or advice of AndrÈ is uncertain; but it cannot be
doubted, that all the address of the latter was used to advance a
purpose, which opened the only possible door for their escape. Could he
proceed to Arnold at West Point before the report of his capture should
go abroad, it might be practicable for them both to get within the
British lines, or to take such other steps for saving themselves as
the extremity of their affairs should make necessary. It has been
represented, that AndrÈ's magnanimity was the principal motive by which
he was actuated in concealing the agency of Arnold. His subsequent
conduct gives him every claim to the praise of honor and nobleness of
mind; yet on the present occasion it is obvious, that his own personal
safety was as much consulted, to say the least, as his sentiments of
generosity towards his associate.
Jameson penned a hasty line to Arnold, saying merely that he sent
forward, under the charge of Lieutenant Allen and a guard, a certain
John Anderson, who had been taken while going towards New York. "He had
a passport," said Jameson, "signed in your name; and a parcel of papers
taken from under his stockings, which I think of a very dangerous
tendency." He then described these papers, and added that he had sent
them to General Washington. *
* Andre's watch, horse, saddle, and bridle, were claimed by his captors,
and given up to them. The watch was afterwards bought by Colonel William
S. Smith for thirty guineas, which, with the money received for the
horse, saddle, and bridle, were divided equally among the three captors
and their four companions, who were watching in another place when AndrÈ
was taken.
There appears to have been some misgiving in the mind of Jameson,
although he was not prepared to suspect the patriotism and political
fidelity of his commanding general. Washington said afterwards, that,
either on account of his "egregious folly, or bewildered conception, he
seemed lost in astonishment, and not to know what he was doing." This is
as lenient a judgment, perhaps, as can be passed on his conduct. No one
ever doubted the purity of his intention. Perceiving the mischievous
tendency of the papers, and knowing them to have been copied by Arnold,
at the same moment that he sent AndrÈ under guard to West Point, he
despatched an express with the papers to meet General Washington, then
supposed to be on the road returning from his interview with the French
commanders at Hartford. Two reasons were subsequently assigned by
Jameson for a course, which seemed so extraordinary to every body else;
first, that he thought the affair was an imposition by the British,
intended to destroy the confidence of the Americans in Arnold; secondly,
that, not knowing the Vulture was up the river, he supposed Arnold could
not get to the enemy without passing through the American outposts on
the lines, where he would be taken.
Major Tallmadge, next in command under Jameson, was absent on duty below
White Plains when AndrÈ was brought in, and did not return till evening.
He was filled with astonishment when Jameson related what had happened,
and could not refrain from expressing his surprise at the course that
had been pursued. To his mind the case was so clear, or at all events
was attended by such peculiar circumstances, as not only to justify but
require prompt, bold, and energetic measures on the part of Jameson.
In short, he declared his suspicions of Arnold, and offered to take on
himself the entire responsibility of proceeding upon that ground. To
this idea Jameson would not listen. He was agitated and irresolute at
first, but finally refused to sanction any measures, which should imply
a distrust of Arnold.
Failing in this object, Tallmadge earnestly requested that the prisoner
might be brought back, to which Jameson with some reluctance consented.
As the parties from below had been higher up the country than the
post at North Castle, there was room to apprehend that he might be
recaptured, and this was probably the prevailing reason with Jameson for
countermanding his order. Strange as it may seem, however, (if any
thing can seem strange in such a string of blunders,) he would insist on
sending forward the letter he had written to Arnold, as will appear by
his order of countermand to Lieutenant Allen.
"From some circumstances, which I have just discovered," said he to that
officer, "I have reason to fear that a party of the enemy is above; and
as I would not have Anderson retaken, or get away, I desire that
you will proceed to Lower Salem with him, and deliver him to Captain
Hoogland. You will leave the guard with Captain Hoogland, also, except
one man, whom you may take along. You may proceed to West Point, and
deliver the letter to General Arnold. You may also show him this, that
he may know the reason why the prisoner is not sent on. You will please
to return as soon as you can."
The messenger with this letter overtook Lieutenant Allen, and he came
back with his charge to North Castle late at night, or early the next
morning, although from the tenor of the letter it might be inferred,
that Colonel Jameson supposed he would proceed by some other route to
Lower Salem. As soon as Major Tallmadge saw the prisoner, and especially
when he observed his manner of walking to and fro on the floor, and
turning on his heel to retrace his steps, he was struck with his
military deportment, and convinced that he had been bred to arms.
Jameson gradually came into the same way of thinking, though there is no
proof of his confidence in Arnold having been shaken: but he agreed
with Tallmadge, that it was best to keep Anderson in close custody,
till something more should be known about him, or till orders should be
received from Arnold or General Washington. As Lower Salem was farther
within the American lines than North Castle, and as Colonel Sheldon's
quarters were there, it was thought advisable for him to be removed to
that place. Major Tallmadge commanded the escort, and continued with the
prisoner from that time till he arrived at Tappan.
It will be remembered, that, eight or nine days previous to the taking
of AndrÈ, a letter had been received by Major Tallmadge from Arnold, in
which he requested Tallmadge, if a man by the name of Anderson should
come within the lines, to send him to head-quarters with two horsemen,
and to bear him company in person if his business would permit. This
incident, connected with the circumstances of the capture of the
prisoner, who called himself Anderson, and with the obvious disguise
he now assumed, confirmed Tallmadge's suspicions, though the nature and
extent of the plans in agitation he could only conjecture, as Anderson
revealed nothing and mentioned no names.
On the arrival of AndrÈ at Lower Salem, about eight o'clock in the
morning, he was introduced to Mr. Bronson, who was attached to Sheldon's
regiment, and who occupied a small apartment, which he consented to
share with the prisoner. The room could be easily guarded, as it had but
one door and one window. AndrÈ appeared much fatigued, and at first
was little inclined to talk. His clothes were soiled, and he accepted
a change from Mr. Bronson, while his linen and nankeen under-dress were
sent to the washerwoman. Becoming refreshed and more at ease, he relaxed
into familiar conversation, which, with his agreeable and courteous
manners, excited the interest and secured the good-will of his
room-mate.
He resorted to his favorite resource for amusement, and sketched with a
pencil a group of ludicrous figures, representing himself and his escort
under march. He presented the sketch to Bronson, saying, "This will give
you an idea of the style in which I have had the honor to be conducted
to my present abode." In diversions of this kind the morning passed
away.
As it was known to AndrÈ, that the papers found on his person had been
transmitted to General Washington, who must soon receive them, and
it being now evident that he would not himself be sent to Arnold, he
perceived that any further attempts at concealment would be unavailing,
and resolved to stand forth in his true character, seeking no other
mitigation of his case, than such as could be granted on the strict
principles of honor and military usage. With this view he wrote, in
Bronson's room, his first letter to General Washington, which may
properly be recorded in this place.
"Salem, 24 September, 1780.
"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, that no alteration in the
temper of my mind, or apprehension for my safety, induces me to take
the step of addressing you; but that it is to rescue myself from an
imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes
or self-interest; a conduct incompatible with the principles that
actuate me, as 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 AndrÈ, Adjutant-General to
the British army.
"The influence of one commander in the army of his adversary is an
advantage taken in war. 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 there, 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.
"Against my stipulation, 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 will 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 New York. I was taken
at Tarry town 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 towards 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.
"Another request is, that I may be permitted to write an open letter to
Sir Henry Clinton, and another to a friend for clothes and linen.
"I take the liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen at
Charleston, who, being either on parole or under protection, were
engaged in a conspiracy against us. Though their situation is not
similar, they are objects who may be set in exchange for me, or are
persons whom the treatment I receive might affect.
"It is no less, Sir, in a confidence of the generosity of your mind,
than on account of your superior station, that I have chosen to
importune you with this letter. I have the honor to be, with great
respect, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,
"JOHN ANDR…, Adjutant-General."
When he had finished this letter, he handed it open to Major Tallmadge,
who perused it with astonishment and strong emotion; for, although he
believed the writer to be a military man, yet he had not supposed him a
person of such rank, nor dreamed of the dangerous plot in which he
had been acting a part. The letter was sealed and sent to General
Washington. From that moment AndrÈ's mind seemed relieved. He became
cheerful, and his good humor, affable address, and attractive powers of
conversation, gained upon the hearts of the officers, and won from them
reciprocal kindness and civilities.
In this situation let us leave the prisoner for a time, and pursue the
chain of events in another quarter.
The route travelled by General Washington and his suite to Hartford was
called the lower road, passing from Peekskill through Danbury. It
was supposed he would come back the same way; but, without making his
intention publicly known beforehand, he returned by the upper road,
which brought him to West Point through the northern parts of the
Highlands. He arrived at Fishkill, eighteen miles from Arnold's
headquarters as the road then ran, in the afternoon of the 24th of
September. After stopping a short time for rest and refreshment, he
proceeded onward, and within two or three miles of the town met the
French minister, M. de la Luzerne, on a journey to visit Count de
Rochambeau at Newport. As this was an unexpected meeting, and the
minister expressed an earnest desire to converse with General Washington
on matters of importance, and urged his return to Fishkill for that
purpose, he could not with propriety or politeness decline the proposal.
It had been his design to reach West Point the same evening; but
this detention left him too little time to attain that object, and he
remained during the night at Fishkill with the Chevalier de la Luzerne.
Very early in the morning he sent off his baggage, with orders to the
men who had it in charge to go on with it as quick as they could to
General Arnold's head-quarters, and give notice that the whole party
might be expected there to breakfast.
General Washington and the officers, all being on horseback, followed
immediately, and went on without delay till they came opposite to West
Point, when Washington's horse was discovered to be turning into
a narrow road, that led towards the river. Lafayette said to him;
"General, you are going in a wrong direction; you know Mrs. Arnold is
waiting breakfast for us, and that road will take us out of our way."
Washington answered good-naturedly; "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 redoubts on this side of the
river, and will be there in a short time." The officers did not choose,
however, to take advantage of this permission, but continued with the
Commander, except two of the aids-de-camp, who rode on at the General's
request to make known the cause of his being detained.
When the aids arrived at Arnold's house, they found breakfast waiting,
as had been supposed. It being now ascertained, that Washington and the
other gentlemen would not be there, General Arnold, his family, and the
aids-de-camp, sat down to breakfast. Before they arose from the table, a
messenger came in with a letter for Arnold, which he broke open and read
in presence of the company. It was the letter which Colonel Jameson
had written two days before, and despatched by Lieutenant Allen, and it
contained the first intelligence received by Arnold of the capture of
AndrÈ. His emotion can be more easily imagined than described. So great
was his control over himself, however, that he concealed it from the
persons present; and, although he seemed a little agitated for the
moment, yet not to such a degree as to excite a suspicion, that any
thing extraordinary had happened. He told the aids-de-camp, that his
immediate attendance was required at West Point, and desired them to say
to General Washington when he arrived, that he was unexpectedly called
over the river and should very soon return. He ordered a horse to be
ready, and then, leaving the table hastily, he went up to Mrs. Arnold's
chamber and sent for her. With a brevity demanded by the occasion, he
told her that they must instantly part, perhaps to meet no more,
and that his life depended on his reaching the enemy's lines without
detection. Struck with horror at this intelligence, so abruptly
divulged, she swooned and fell senseless. In that state he left her,
hurried down stairs, mounted a horse belonging to one of his aids that
stood saddled at the door, and rode alone with all speed to the bank of
the river. He there entered a boat, and directed the oarsmen to push out
to the middle of the stream.
The boat was rowed by six men, who, having no knowledge of Arnold's
intentions, promptly obeyed his orders. He quickened their activity by
saying, that he was going down the river and on board the Vulture with a
flag, and that he was in great haste, as he expected General Washington
at his house, and wished to return as expeditiously as possible to meet
him there. He also added another stimulating motive, by promising
them two gallons of rum, if they would exert themselves with all their
strength. As they approached King's Ferry, Arnold exposed to view a
white handkerchief, and ordered the men to row directly to the Vulture,
which was now in sight, a little below the place it had occupied when
AndrÈ left it. The signal held out by Arnold, while the boat was
passing Verplanck's Point, caused Colonel Livingston to regard it as
a flag-boat, and prevented him from ordering it to be stopped and
examined.
The boat reached the Vulture unobstructed in its passage; and after
Arnold had gone on board and introduced himself to Captain Sutherland,
he called the leader of the boatmen into the cabin, and informed him
that he and his companions were prisoners. The boatman, who had capacity
and spirit, said they were not prisoners, that they came on board with
a flag of truce, and under the same sanction they would return. He then
appealed to the captain, demanding justice and a proper respect for
the rules of honor. Arnold replied, that all this was nothing to the
purpose, that they were prisoners and must remain on board. Captain
Sutherland, disdaining so pitiful an action, though he did not interfere
with the positive command of Arnold, told the man that he would take his
parol, and he might go on shore and procure clothes and whatever else
was wanted for himself and his companions. This was accordingly done the
same day. When these men arrived in New York, Sir Henry Clinton, holding
in just contempt such a wanton act of meanness, set them all at liberty.
Having finished his inspection at the redoubts, Washington arrived with
his suite at Arnold's house soon after his precipitate flight to the
river. When Washington was told, that Arnold had been called over to
the garrison upon some urgent business, he took a hasty breakfast, and
concluded not to wait, but to cross immediately to West Point and meet
him at that place. The officers attended him, except Hamilton, who
remained behind at the house. It was their arrangement to return to
dinner.
As the whole party were seated in the barge, moving smoothly over
the water, with the majestic scenery of the Highlands around them,
Washington said; "Well, Gentlemen, I am glad, on the whole, that General
Arnold has gone before us, for we shall now have a salute, and the
roaring of the cannon will have a fine effect among these mountains."
The boat drew nearer to the beach. No cannon was heard, no appearance
of any preparation to receive them was visible. "What?" said Washington,
"do they not intend to salute us?" At this moment an officer was seen
winding his way among the rocks down the side of the hill, who met the
barge as it touched the shore, and seemed confused and astonished at the
presence of the Commander-inchief and the other officers, who were about
to honor him with a visit. He apologized, and said, if he had expected
such visitors, he should have been prepared to receive them in a proper
manner; but, being taken by surprise, he hoped he should be excused for
an apparent neglect, and for not having put the garrison into a suitable
condition for a military inspection and review.
General Washington was scarcely less surprised, than the commandant
himself. "How is this, Sir," he inquired; "is not General Arnold here?"
"No, Sir," replied the officer; "he has not been here these two days,
nor have I heard from him within that time."
"This is extraordinary," said Washington; "we were told he had crossed
the river, and that we should find him here. However, our visit must
not be in vain. Since we have come, although unexpectedly, we must look
round a little, and see in what state things are with you." Thus saying
he went up the hill, and was followed by the other officers. They walked
to the different forts and redoubts, and inspected the garrison in all
its parts. After completing this task, which took an hour or two, they
descended to the barge, and were reconducted to the landing-place near
Robinson's House, from which they had departed.