“September 12, 1780. Dear Simcoe: Rely upon it your alarms are vain. Colonel Watson or you, one or the other, will not embark. I should have been happy to have seen you and have hinted that apparent arrangements are not always real ones, but I beg you to seek no explanation. I should not say what I do but I cannot, without concern, see you in any uneasiness I can relieve.
“John André.”
André followed this letter to Oyster Bay and with Simcoe planned for the capture of General Washington,[42] which plan was not approved of by Sir Henry Clinton when it was presented to him a few days later. Simcoe nevertheless prepared for any emergency. An order among the papers of Captain Daniel Youngs reads:
“Oyster Bay 14th September, 1780. Sir: By order of Colo. Simcoe am directed to desire you to furnish seven waggons or oxteams upon the next advice sent of the Regt. moving. These waggons will be discharged the first Post the Regt. halts at. This is only to intimate to you to have the teams in readiness upon the first notice that the baggage, stores &c. of the Regt, may not suffer by delay when the march is ordered. Robert Gardner, Sergt. (endorsed) Complied with, Quart. Master, Q. R.”
8. Colonel John Graves Simcoe and prominent British Officers. 1. Lord Cornwallis, 2. Sir Henry Clinton, 3. Major John André, 4. Admiral Arbuthnot, 5. Gen. John Burgoyne, 6. General Riedesel, 7. Lord Rowdon.
Meanwhile Benedict Arnold was uneasy. From James Livingston at Verplanck’s Point came a letter dated Septr. 13th, reading:
“Dear General: I am just now informed by the inhabitants of Tarry Town, that Colo. Robinson came there in a Barge under pretence of a Flagg, but think its more probable to reconnoitre the country. I have not the least doubt they will shortly send out a Foraging Party as the country between this and New York lies entirely exposed.
“If you think it advisable I will send a party to endeavour to give them a check in case they should come as high as Tarry Town. I have ordered the inhabitants to drive off their cattle should the enemy appear in force.
“James Livingston.”