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.)
[42] Hamilton says: “There was some colour for imagining it was a part of the plan to betray the General into the hands of the enemy. Arnold was very anxious to ascertain from him the precise day of his return, and the enemy’s movements seem to have corresponded to this point. But if it was really the case it was very injudicious. The success must have depended on surprise, and as the officers at the advanced posts were not in the secret, their measures might have given the alarm, and General Washington, taking the command of the post, might have rendered the whole scheme abortive. Arnold it is true, had so dispersed the garrison as to have made the defence difficult, but not impracticable; and the acquisition of West Point was of such magnitude to the enemy, that it would have been unwise to connect it with any other object, however great, which might make the obtaining of it precarious.”
[43] There is preserved in the Library of Congress among the Washington Papers, No. 20268, an interesting answer to this letter. It is in the handwriting of Beverly Robinson, and reads: ‘Vulture off Tellers point, Septr. 19, 1780. Sir. I am favoured with yours by Capt. Archibald and am sorry I have missed the opportunity of seeing General Putnam, and that it is not thought proper to allow me to see you, my business being entirely of a private nature, only concerning my self & no ways affecting publick matters of either side; I was induced to make the application to you in hopes of meeting with a favorable reception from a gentleman of your character. But I have not the least reason to expect any civility from the Civil Authority of this State, neither am I at all disposed to ask any favour from them. Had I known Genl. Washington was with you I should certainly have made my application to him as I flatter myself I should be allowed very reasonable indulgence from him, I beg my best respects may be presented to him; I can have nothing further to say to you at present, but must wait a more favorable opportunity of doing something for my family. I return you my thanks for your polite letter and Civil Expressions to me and am Your verry Humble Servt. Bev: Robinson.”
[44] The excuse for this story was two intoxicated men with one gun. They hung a shirt on the bushes which was mistaken for a flag; as the boat approached they fired the gun as a warning to keep away.
