[48] Bancroft, vol. 10, p. 388 says: When they had delivered André to Col. Jameson they “went their way not asking a reward for their services or leaving their names.” John Jameson practically confirms this in the letter he wrote to General Washington at the time. In full it reads:
North Castle, Sept. 27th, 1780.
This will be delivered you by John Paulding, one of the young men that took Major André and who nobly refused any sum of money that he should demand. The other two young men that were in company with him are not yet found; as soon as they arrive they shall be sent on. I have just seen L. Kennecut. He thinks it will be impossible for him to go below again; he begs your instruction and assistance; almost all his furniture, clothes and money are below. Some of the slanderers from above have stole his horses which makes him very poor; he has gone down between the lines to try to get out some of his things and to give notice to some people that have assisted him in his business.
I should take it as a particular favour if you would use your influence with Governor Clinton to have some board appointed to enquire into and determine the horrid practice of plundering that is carried on in this part of the country. I have no doubt but that the plunderers above and below are connected. If some proper board could be appointed or the commanding officer on the lines vested with proper authority from Governor Clinton many petty villains near the lines may be detected I make no doubt who hold a correspondence with DeLancey’s Cow Boys. I am very sorry that I wrote to G— Arnold. I did not think of a British Ship being up the River and expected that if he was the man he has since turned out to be that he would come down to the troops in this quarter in which case I should have secured him. (I mentioned my intention to Major Tallmadge and some other of the field officers all of which were clearly of opinion that it would be right) until I could hear from your Excellency. The Queens Rangers I am informed marched from Oyster Bay last Saturday for Kingsbridge, the 17th on Sunday and some others ordered to hold themselves in readiness. Two British Officers went on board the Vulture just above Tarrytown they were out in the country cloathed in mean ragged country cloaths and at the river side changed them for fine laced regimentals. Some gentleman came out from Kingsbridge about a fortnight ago with a handkerchief full of gold; changed his clothes for an old sack coat and pushed up the North River. I am with regard and esteem Your Excellency’s most Obedient and very humble servant
John Jameson.
[49] Paulding died in 1818, and in 1827 the Corporation of the City of New York placed a monument over his grave in the old cemetery just north of Peekskill, reciting, “The Corporation of the City of New York erected this tomb as a Memorial Sacred to Public Gratitude.” Van Wart died in 1828, and in the Greenburgh church-yard the citizens of this county erected a memorial in “Testimony of his virtuous and patriotic conduct.” Williams died in Livingstonville, in Schoharie County, in 1831, and was buried with military honors. In 1876 the State erected a monument, and his remains were re-interred in the old stone fort at Schoharie Court House. On the spot where André was captured the young men of Westchester County, in 1853, built a cenotaph in honor of his captors.
[50] Jameson addressed another letter to headquarters on the very day of André’s execution. It is dated from Northcastle, New Purchase, Oct. 2nd, 1780, and reads:
“Sir, I have just received information that about six thousand men are embarked and embarking, some say they are destined for Rhode-Island, some for Pennsylvania, and others that they are going to Philadelphia. It is said that all the Pennsylvania refugees are to go on board the fleet. It is also said that part of their Cavalry are to go. The man I wrote to you about in my last letter, is up in this neighborhood. He tells me that he has been informed that most of the people that were friends to America in New York are confined. He is very desirous to move his family from the lines, but says that he is not able. A party of the inhabitants and some of my men have killed two of DeLancey’s men and three prisoners. One of the prisoners was so badly wounded that he was left on Parole. The inhabitants are very desirous to have the prisoners exchanged for some men of their own company that are prisoners now in the sugar-house. I am with esteem, Your Excellency’s most obedient, and very humble servant.
“John Jameson.”
[51] Colonel Richard Varick was born in New Jersey, on March 25, 1753. Making law his profession, he entered the office of John Morin Scott, in New York City, with whom he served his law apprenticeship in 1772, 1773 and 1774, and who from friendship and personal confidence embarked him in professional business as soon as he attained the years of maturity and responsibility. The Revolutionary troubles coming on, he took up his sword, being appointed sixth Captain of McDougall’s regiment on June 28, 1775. A day or two later, July 1, Schuyler made him his Private Secretary, and when the General resigned in 1776, Congress appointed Varick, September 26, Deputy Muster Master General of the Northern Department, giving him the rank, November 7, of Lieutenant-Colonel. This office he held until January 12, 1780, when all the mustering officers of the department were discharged. Varick was then on the point of retiring to civil life, when he received Arnold’s invitation to become his Secretary. Nor was he long off duty after the traitor’s family was broken up, as he favorably impressed the Commander-in-Chief, who appointed him Recording Secretary under resolution of Congress in the spring of 1781, for the purpose of arranging his military correspondence for preservation; and this office he retained to the close of the war. Resuming his law practice in 1784, Varick rose to influence, became Recorder of the city, Attorney-General of the State, and finally Mayor, which office he held for twelve years, from 1789 to 1800. His death occurred July 30, 1831. He left a widow, formerly Miss Maria Roosevelt, of New York, who survived him a number of years. They had no children. The above, written by H. P. Johnston, will be found on p. 733 of the Magazine of American History, November 1882, copied from the original papers, then in possession of the Mercantile Library, New York City.