Minor Queries with Answers.
Major André.—A subscriber having observed the amount of valuable and recondite information elicited by a happy Query concerning General Wolfe, hopes to obtain like success in one he now puts forward in regard to the personal history, &c. of the unfortunate Major John André, who was hung by the Americans as a spy during their Revolutionary War. Being engaged upon a biography of Major André, he has already collected considerable matter; but wishes to leave no stone unturned in his task, and therefore begs his brethren of "N. & Q." to publish therein any anecdotes or copies of any letters or documents concerning that gallant but ill-fated gentleman. A reference to passages occurring in printed books bearing on this subject, might also well be given; for there is so little known about Major André, and that little scattered piecemeal in so many and various localities, that it is hardly possible some of them should not have escaped this writer's notice.
Serviens.
[Smith's Authentic Narrative of Major André, 8vo. 1808, has most probably been consulted by our correspondent. There is a good account of the Major in vol. ii. of the Biographical Dictionary of the Useful Knowledge Society, and it is worth consulting for the authorities quoted at the end of the article. See also the Encyclopædia Americana, article "Benedict Arnold;" the American Whig Review, vol. v. p. 381.; New England Magazine, vol. vi. p. 353.; and for a vindication of the captors of André, the Analectic Magazine, vol. x. p. 307. Articles also will be found respecting him in Gentleman's Magazine, vol. l. pp. 540. 610.; vol. li. p. 320.; vol. lii. p. 514. Major André is one of the principal subjects of The British Hero in Captivity, a poem attributed to Mr. Puddicombe, 4to. 1782.]
"The Fatal Mistake."—Can you tell me where the scene of the following play is laid, and the names of the dramatis personæ: The Fatal Mistake, a Tragedy, by Joseph Haynes, 4to., 1696?
The author of this play, who was known by the name of Count Haynes, was an actor in the theatre at Drury Lane about the time of James II., and died in 1701. There is an account of his life written by Tom Browne.
Gw.
[The title-page of A Fatal Mistake states that it was written by Jos. Hayns; but according to the Biog. Dramatica, it is not certain that Count Haines was the author. The dramatis personæ are: Men, Duke, Duke of Schawden's ambassador, Rodulphus, Baldwin, Eustace, Ladovick, Albert, Godfrey, Arnulph, Frederick, Welpho, Conradine, Gozelo, Lewis, Ferdinando. Women, Duchess Gertruedo, Lebassa, Clementia, Idana, Thierrie, Maria, Lords and Ladies, Masquers, Soldiers.]
Anonymous Plays.—
1. A Match for a Widow; or, the Frolics of Fancy. A Comic Opera, in Three Acts, as performed at the Theatre Royal, Dublin. London: C. Dilly, 1788. 8vo.
2. The Indians; a Tragedy. Performed at the Theatre Royal, Richmond. London: C. Dilly, 1790. 8vo.
3. André; a Tragedy in Five Acts, as now performing at the Theatre in New York. To which is added the Cow Chase; a Satirical Poem, by Major André. With the Proceedings of the Court Martial, and authentic Documents concerning him. London: Ogilvy & Son, 1799. 8vo.
Serviens.
[A Match for a Widow is by Joseph Atkinson, Treasurer of the Ordnance in Ireland, the friend and associate of Curran, Moore, and the galaxy of Irish genius. He died in 1818.
2. The Indians is by William Richardson, Professor of Humanity in the University of Glasgow, who died in 1814.
3. André is by William Dunlap, an American dramatist.]
High Commission Court.—Can any of your readers refer me to works bearing on the proceedings of the High Commission Court? The sort of information of which I am in search is not so much on the great constitutional questions involved in the history of this court, as in the details of its mode of procedure; as shown either by actual books of practice, or the history of particular cases brought before it.
J. F. M.
[Some account of the proceedings of the High Commission Court is given in Reeves's History of the English Law, vol. v. pp. 215-218. The Harleian MS. 7516. also contains Minutes of the Proceedings of the High Commissioners at Whitehall, July 6, 1616, on the question of Commendums, the king himself being present. It makes twenty-one leaves.]