"Upon this we made him dress himself, and I asked him what he would give us to let him go. He said he would give us any sum of money. I asked him whether he would give us his horse, saddle, bridle, watch, and one hundred guineas. He said 'Yes,' and told us he would direct them to any place, even if it was that very spot, so that we could get them. I asked him whether he would not give us more. He said he would give us any quantity of dry goods, or any sum of money, and bring it to any place that we might pitch upon, so that we might get it. Mr. Paulding answered, 'No, if you would give us ten thousand guineas, you should not stir one step.' I then asked the person who had called himself John Anderson if he would not get away if it lay in his power. He answered, 'Yes, I would.' I told him I did not intend he should. While taking him along, we asked him a few questions, and we stopped under a shade. He begged us not to ask him questions, and said when he came to any commander he would reveal all.
"He was dressed in a blue over-coat, and a tight body-coat, that was of a kind of claret color, though a rather deeper red than claret. The button-holes were laced with gold tinsel, and the buttons drawn over with the same kind of lace. He had on a round hat, and nankeen waistcoat and breeches, with a flannel waistcoat and drawers, boots, and thread stockings."
Andre was conducted to North Castle, the nearest military post, and there, with all the papers found upon his person, he was delivered up to Lieutenant-colonel Jameson, the officer in command. With an obtuseness of perception most extraordinary and unaccountable, Jameson resolved to send the prisoner immediately to Arnold! He knew a portion of the papers to be in the undisguised handwriting of General Arnold, and it is most extraordinary that the circumstances under which they were found should not have awakened a suspicion of the fidelity of that officer. Washington afterward said, in allusion to Jameson's conduct, that, either on account of his "egregious folly or bewildered conception, he seemed lost in astonishment, and not to know what he was doing." There can be no doubt of the purity of his intentions, but who can respect his judgment? He penned a letter to Arnold, saying that he sent a certain Mr. Anderson forward under the charge of Lieutenant Allen and a guard, who had been taken while on his way to New York. "He had a passport," said Jameson, "signed in your name, and a parcel of papers, taken from under Colonel Jameson's Head-quarters.
* This is a view of the out-buildings of Mr. Sands, at North Castle, situated a few yards from his residence. The lowest building, on the left, is the dwelling, now attached to the barn of Mr. Sands, which, Jameson used as his head-quarters. In that building André was kept guarded until sent to West Point.
Better Judgment of Colonel Tallmadge.—Major André at Sheldon's Head-quarters.—Andrè's Letter to Washington.
Major Benjamin Tallmadge, next in command to Jameson, was on duty below White Plains on that day, and did not return until evening. When informed of the September 23, 1780 circumstances, he was filled with astonishment at the folly of Jameson, and boldly expressed his suspicions of Arnold's fidelity. He offered to take upon himself the entire responsibility of proceeding on that ground, if Jameson would allow it. The latter refused to sanction any action that should imply a distrust of Arnold. Tallmadge then earnestly besought him to have the prisoner brought back. To this he reluctantly consented, but insisted that his letter to Arnold should be forwarded, and that the general should be informed why the prisoner was not sent on. This was the letter which Arnold received in time to allow him to make his escape to the Vulture.
Jameson sent an express after Lieutenant Allen, with orders to conduct his prisoner back to head-quarters at North Castle. As soon as Tallmadge saw him, and observed his manner and gait while pacing the room, he was convinced that he was a military man; and, joining this belief with other circumstances, * his suspicions of Arnold's treachery were fully confirmed to his own mind. He partially imbued Jameson with the same opinions, and that officer agreed, with Tallmadge, that it was advisable to keep their prisoner in close custody until orders should be received from Arnold or Washington. Andre was accordingly removed, under an escort commanded by Major Tallmadge, to Colonel Sheldon's quarters at North Salem, as a more secure place. They arrived there at about eight in the morning. Andre was introduced to Mr. Bronson, who was attached to Sheldon's regiment, and that gentleman kindly offered to share his little room with the prisoner. Learning that the papers found on his person had been sent to General Washington, he wrote, in Bronson's room, a letter to the American chief, in which he frankly avowed his name and rank, and briefly related the circumstances connected with his present situation. This letter he handed to Major Tallmadge to read, who was greatly astonished to find that the prisoner in his custody was the adjutant general of the British army. The letter was sealed and sent to Washington. From that hour the prisoner's mind seemed relieved. **
* Eight or nine days previous to the capture, Major Tallmadge received a letter from Arnold of similar import to the one Colonel Sheldon received from him, in which he requested, if a man by the name of Anderson should come within the lines, to have him sent to head-quarters with two horsemen. This incident was strongly in favor of Tallmadge's suspicions.
** The following is a copy of the letter:
"Salem, September 24th, 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 André, 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 here, 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 stipulations, 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 must 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 Tarrytown 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 toward 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 Andre, Adjutant General