[39] Sheldon says, in his letter of August 10th, 1780: “It mortifies me not a little, that I am obliged to tell you that more than twenty of the best of my horses, completely accoutred, are employed as common Express Riders between this place and Newport exclusive of those which I am obliged to employ on the same business in conveying despatches as an intermediate post between Head Quarters and the first stage of expresses. I hope as horses are much wanted on this advance post those Dragoons who are employed on such extra service may soon be called to more honorable duty.”
[40] Washington Papers, No. 19991.
[41] General Washington’s reply from Headquarters, Sept. 14th, 1780, was: “... Under the circumstances you mention you may detain the men of Colonel Putnam’s regiment, who are serving as bargemen to you;.... I shall be at Peekskill on Sunday evening, on my way to Hartford, to meet the French admiral and general. You will be pleased to send down a guard of a captain and fifty men at that time, and direct the quartermaster to endeavour to have a night’s forage for about forty horses. You will keep this to yourself, as I wish to make my journey a secret. I am, &c. Go. Washington. (He was delayed in setting out. It was Monday the 18th.)
[42] Hamilton says: “There was some colour for imagining it was a part of the plan to betray the General into the hands of the enemy. Arnold was very anxious to ascertain from him the precise day of his return, and the enemy’s movements seem to have corresponded to this point. But if it was really the case it was very injudicious. The success must have depended on surprise, and as the officers at the advanced posts were not in the secret, their measures might have given the alarm, and General Washington, taking the command of the post, might have rendered the whole scheme abortive. Arnold it is true, had so dispersed the garrison as to have made the defence difficult, but not impracticable; and the acquisition of West Point was of such magnitude to the enemy, that it would have been unwise to connect it with any other object, however great, which might make the obtaining of it precarious.”
[43] There is preserved in the Library of Congress among the Washington Papers, No. 20268, an interesting answer to this letter. It is in the handwriting of Beverly Robinson, and reads: ‘Vulture off Tellers point, Septr. 19, 1780. Sir. I am favoured with yours by Capt. Archibald and am sorry I have missed the opportunity of seeing General Putnam, and that it is not thought proper to allow me to see you, my business being entirely of a private nature, only concerning my self & no ways affecting publick matters of either side; I was induced to make the application to you in hopes of meeting with a favorable reception from a gentleman of your character. But I have not the least reason to expect any civility from the Civil Authority of this State, neither am I at all disposed to ask any favour from them. Had I known Genl. Washington was with you I should certainly have made my application to him as I flatter myself I should be allowed very reasonable indulgence from him, I beg my best respects may be presented to him; I can have nothing further to say to you at present, but must wait a more favorable opportunity of doing something for my family. I return you my thanks for your polite letter and Civil Expressions to me and am Your verry Humble Servt. Bev: Robinson.”
[44] The excuse for this story was two intoxicated men with one gun. They hung a shirt on the bushes which was mistaken for a flag; as the boat approached they fired the gun as a warning to keep away.
ARNOLD AND ANDRÉ MEET
We now come to the evening of the 20th of September, 1780. Joshua Hett Smith, returning from Fishkill, met Samuel Colquhoun[45] after crossing the river near Stony Point, and asked him to accompany him to his house. When they had ascended the stairs and were in Smith’s private room he asked Colquhoun to go with him that night a piece down the river. Colquhoun told Smith he had no mind to go, and did not want to go, and Smith did not urge him. Then Smith told Colquhoun he must send him up express to General Arnold, and they should go over to the other house; but upon Colquhoun telling him again that he had no mind to go Smith seemed to urge his going and said it was great business. Colquhoun then agreed to go. They went over to the house of Smith’s brother and there Colquhoun was furnished with a horse, and a paper to Major Keirs[46] and started off to General Arnold.
The sun was rising when Colquhoun reached the headquarters of Arnold, on the east bank of the Hudson River, below West Point. The General was not up but he delivered the letter from Smith to a gentleman there[47] and in a few minutes he was informed there was no occasion for an answer. He was requested however to return as quickly as he could. That afternoon Arnold passed him and rode to Smith’s house.