When no cannon was heard and they saw nobody astir among the garrison, Washington exclaimed:
“What! Do they not intend to salute us?”
The General and his party landed and found no one to greet them except the Commandant, Colonel Lamb, who was very much surprised to see his distinguished visitors.
Washington addressed him:
“How is this, sir? Is not General Arnold here?”
“No, sir,” replied the Commandant, “he has not been here these two days, nor have I heard from him within that time.”
“This is extraordinary,” continued Washington. “We were told that he 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 around a little and see in what shape things are with you.”
When the forts and redoubts had been visited and the garrison inspected, Washington and his party returned to the barge and recrossed to the Robinson House.
The letters and papers that had been forwarded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson to General Washington had followed the Commander-in-Chief on the road to Hartford until it was learned that the General had returned to West Point by the upper road. Then the express retraced his steps to Robinson House.
Colonel Hamilton was alone at Arnold’s headquarters when the incriminating papers arrived and immediately opened the despatches in the absence of his chief at West Point. Here were the papers found in Andre’s stockings and a letter from Andre to Washington disclosing his true character as Adjutant-General of the British army and relating his entry within the American lines, his departure therefrom in disguise and his capture.