PROCEEDINGS
OF A
Board of General Officers,
Held by Order of his Excellency General Washington, commander in chief of the army of the United States of America, respecting Major Andre, Adjutant General of the British army, September the 29th, 1780, at Tappan, in the State of New York.
PRESENT,
Major General Greene, President, Major General Lord Stirling, Major General St. Clair, Major General The Marquis de la Fayette, Major General Howe, Major General The Baron de Steuben, Brigadier General Parsons, Brigadier General Clinton, Brigadier General Knox, Brigadier General Glover, Brigadier General Patterson, Brigadier General Hand, Brigadier General Huntington, Brigadier General Starke, John Lawrence, Judge-Advocate General.
Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British army was brought before the Board, and the following letter from General Washington, to the Board, dated Head Quarters, Tappan, September 29th, 1780, was laid before them and read.
Gentlemen,
Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British army, will be brought before you for your examination. He came within our lines in the night, on an interview with Major General Arnold, and in an assumed character; and was taken within our lines, in a disguised habit, with a pass under a feigned name, and with the inclosed papers concealed upon him. After a careful examination, you will be pleased, as speedily as possible, to report a precise state of his case, together with your opinion of the light in which he ought to be considered, and the punishment that ought to be inflicted. The Judge Advocate will attend to assist in the examination, who has sundry other papers relative to this matter, which he will lay before the Board.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and humble servant, G. WASHINGTON.
The Board of General Officers convened at Tappan.
The names of the officers composing the Board were read to Major Andre, and on his being asked whether he confessed the matters contained in the letter from his Excellency General Washington to the Board, or denied them, he said, in addition to his letter to General Washington, dated Salem, the 24th September, 1780, (which was read to the board, and acknowledged by Major Andre, to have been written by him,) which letter is as follows:
Salem, 24th Sept. 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 secure myself from an imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes or self interest. A conduct incompatible with the principles that actuated 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 Andre, 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 favour it, I agreed to meet upon ground not within 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 shore 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 before hand, I was conducted within one of your posts. Your Excellency may conceive my sensation on this occasion and will imagine how much more I must 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 honour of an officer and a gentleman.
The request I have to make your Excellency, and I am conscious I address myself well, is, that in any rigour policy may dictate, a decency of conduct towards me may mark, that though unfortunate I am branded with nothing dishonourable, 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 cloaths and linen.
I take the liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen at Charles-Town, 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 in 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 honour to be, with great respect, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, JOHN ANDRE, Adjutant General.
His Excellency General Washington. &c., &c., &c.
That he came on shore from the Vulture sloop of war in the night of the twenty-first of September instant, somewhere under the Haverstraw mountain; that the boat he came on shore in carried no flag, and that he had on a surtout coat over his regimentals, and that he wore his surtout coat when he was taken; that he met General Arnold on the shore, and had an interview with him there. He also said, that when he left the Vulture sloop of war, it was understood he was to return that night; but it was then doubted, and if he could not return he was promised to be concealed on shore in a place of safety, until the next night, when he was to return in the same manner he came on shore; and when the next day came he was solicitous to get back, and made enquiries in the course of the day, how he should return, when he was informed he could not return that way and he must take the route he did afterwards. He also said, that the first notice he had of his being within any of our posts, was, being challenged by the sentry, which was the first night he was on shore. He also said, that the evening of the twenty-second of September instant, he passed King's Ferry between our posts of Stoney and Verplank's Points, in the dress he is at present in, and which he said was not his regimentals, and which dress he procured, after he landed from the Vulture and when he was within our posts, and that he was proceeding to New York, but was taken on his way at Tarry Town, as he has mentioned in his letter, on Saturday the twenty-third of September instant, about nine o'clock in the morning.
The following papers were laid before the Board and shewn to Major Andre, who confessed to the board that they were found on him when he was taken, and said they were concealed in his boot, except the pass:
A pass from General Arnold to John Anderson, which name Major Andre acknowledged he assumed.
Artillery orders, September 5, 1780.
Estimate of the force at West Point and its dependencies, September 1780.
Estimate of men to man the works at West Point, &c.
Return of ordnance at West Point, September 1780.
Remarks on works at West Point.
Copy of a state of matters laid before a council of war, by his Excellency General Washington, held the 6th of September 1780.
A letter signed John Anderson, dated Sept. 7, 1780, to Colonel Sheldon, [FN-1] was also laid before the Board, and shewn to Major Andre, which he acknowledged to have been written by him, and is as follows:
New York, the 7th 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 out posts. I will endeavour to obtain permission to go out with a flag which will be sent to Dobb's Ferry on Monday next, the 11th, at twelve o'clock, when I shall be happy to meet Mr. G____. [FN-2] 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 favour 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 in 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 shall 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, Sir, with all regard, Your most obedient humble servant, John Anderson.
Col. Sheldon.
[FN-1] Less it should be supposed that Colonel Sheldon, to whom the above letter is addressed, was privy to the plot carrying on by General Arnold, it is to be observed, that the letter was found among Arnold's papers, and had been transmitted by Colonel Sheldon, who, it appears from a letter of the 9th of September to Arnold, which inclosed it, had never heard of John Anderson before. Arnold in his answer on the 10th, acknowledged he had not communicated it to him, though he had informed him that he expected a person would come from New York, for the purpose of bringing him intelligence.
[FN-2] It appears by the same letter that Arnold had written to Mr. Anderson, under the signature of Gustavus. His words are "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."
Major Andre observed that this letter could be of no force in the case in question, as it was written in New York, when he was under the orders of General Clinton, but that it tended to prove that it was not his intention to come within our lines.
The Board having interrogated Major Andre about his conception of his coming on shore under the sanction of a flag, he said, That it was impossible for him to suppose he came on shore under that fashion; and added, that if he came on shore under that sanction, he certainly might have returned under it.
Major Andre having acknowledged the preceding facts, and being asked whether he had any thing to say respecting them, answered, He left them to operate with the Board.
The examination of Major Andre being concluded, he was remanded into custody.
The following letters were laid before the Board, and read:—Benedict Arnold's letter to General Washington, dated September 25, 1780, Col. Robinson's letter to General Washington, dated September 25, 1780, and General Clinton's letter, dated the 26th September, 1780, (inclosing a letter of the same date from Benedict Arnold) to General Washington.
On board the Vulture, Sept. 25, 1780.
SIR,
The heart which is conscious of its own rectitude, cannot attempt to palliate a step which the world may censure as wrong; I have ever acted from a principle of love to my country, since the commencement of the present unhappy contest between Great Britain and the Colonies; the same principle of love to my country actuates my present conduct, however it may appear inconsistent to the world, who very seldom judge right of any man's actions.
I have no favour to ask for myself. I have too often experienced the ingratitude of my country to attempt it; but from the known humanity of your Excellence, I am induced to ask your protection for Mrs. Arnold, from every insult and injury that the mistaken vengeance of my country may expose her to. It ought to fall only on me; she is as good and as innocent as an angel, and is incapable of doing wrong. I beg she may be permitted to return to her friends in Philadelphia, or to come to me as she may choose; from your Excellency I have no fears on her account, but she may suffer from the mistaken fury of the country.
I have to request that the inclosed letter may be delivered to Mrs. Arnold, and she permitted to write to me.
I have also to ask that my cloaths and baggage, which are of little consequence, may be sent to me, if required their value shall be paid in money.
I have the honour to be, with great regard and esteem, Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant, B. ARNOLD.
His Excellency General Washington.
N. B. In justice to the gentlemen of my family, Col. Varrick and Major Franks, I think myself in honour bound to declare, that they, as well as Joshua Smith, Esq; (who I know is suspected) are totally ignorant of any transactions of mine, that they had reason to believe were injurious to the public.
Vulture, off Sinsinck, Sept. 25, 1780.
SIR,
I am this moment informed that Major Andre, Adjutant General of his Majesty's army in America, is detained as a prisoner, by the army under your command. It is therefore incumbent on me to inform you of the manner of his falling into your hands; He went up with a flag at the request of General Arnold, on public business with him, and had his permit to return by land to New York; Under these circumstances Major Andre cannot be detained by you, without the greatest violation of flags, and contrary to the custom and usage of all nations; and as I imagine you will see this matter in the same point of view as I do, I must desire you will order him to be set at liberty and allowed to return immediately; Every step Major Andre took was by the advice and direction of General Arnold, even that of taking a feigned name, and of course not liable to censure for it.
I am, Sir, not forgetting our former acquaintance, Your very humble servant, BEV. ROBINSON, Col. Loyl. Americ.
His Excellency General Washington.
New York, Sept. 26, 1780.
SIR,
Being informed that the King's Adjutant General in America has been stopt, under Major General Arnold's passports, and is detained a prisoner in your Excellency's army, I have the honour to inform you, Sir, that I permitted Major Andre to go to Major General Arnold, at the particular request of that general officer. You will perceive, Sir, by the inclosed paper, that a flag of truce was sent to receive Major Andre, and passports granted for his return, I therefore can have no doubt but your Excellency will immediately direct, that this officer has permission to return to my orders at New York.
I have the honour to be, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servt. H. CLINTON.
His Excellency General Washington.
New York, Sept. 26, 1780.
SIR,
In answer to your Excellency's message, respecting your Adjutant General, Major Andre, and desiring my idea of the reasons why he is detained, being under my passports, I have the honour to inform you, Sir, that I apprehend a few hours must return Major Andre to your Excellency's orders, as that officer is assuredly under the protection of a flag of truce sent by me to him for the purpose of a conversation which I requested to hold with him relating to myself, and which I wished to communicate through that officer to your Excellency.
I commanded at the time at West Point, had an undoubted right to send my flag of truce for Major Andre, who came to me under that protection, and having held my conversation with him, I delivered him confidential papers in my own hand writing, to deliver to your Excellency, thinking it much properer he should return by land, I directed him to make use of the feigned name of John Anderson, under which he had by my direction to come on shore, and gave him my passports to go to the White Plains on his way to New York. This officer cannot therefore fail of being immediately sent to New York, as he was invited to a conversation with me, for which I sent him a flag of truce, and finally gave him passports for his safe return to your Excellency; all which I had then a right to do, being in the actual service of America, under the orders of General Washington, and commanding general at West Point and its dependencies.
I have the honour to be, your Excellency's most obedient and very humble servant, B. ARNOLD.
His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton.
The Board having considered the letter from his Excellency General Washington respecting Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British army, the confession of Major Andre, and the papers produced to them, REPORT to His Excellency, the Commander in Chief, the following facts, which appear to them relative to Major Andre.
First, that he came on shore from the Vulture sloop of war in the night of the twenty-first of September instant, on an interview with General Arnold, in a private and secret manner.
Secondly, that he changed his dress within our lines, and under a feigned name, and in a disguised habit, passed our works at Stoney and Verplank's Points, the evening of the twenty-second of September instant, and was taken the morning of the twenty-third of September instant, at Tarry Town, in a disguised habit, being then on his way to New York, and when taken, he had in his possession several papers, which contained intelligence for the enemy.
The Board having maturely considered these facts, DO ALSO REPORT to His Excellency General Washington, that Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British army, ought to be considered as a Spy from the enemy, and that agreeable to the law and usage of nations, it is their opinion, he ought to suffer death.
Nath. Greene, M. Genl., President. Stirling, M. G. Ar. St. Clair, M. G. La Fayette, M. G. R. Howe, M. G. Stuben, M. G. Saml. H. Parsons, B. Genl. James Clinton, B. Genl. H. Knox, Brig. Genl. Artillery. Jno. Glover, B. Genl. John Patterson, B. Genl. Edwd. Hand, B. Genl. J. Huntington, B. Genl. John Starke, B. Genl. John Lawrence, J. A. Genl.