I take this opportunity to inform your Excellency, that I consider myself no longer acting under the commission of Congress; Their last to me being among my papers at West Point, you Sir, will make such use of it, as you think proper.
At the same time, I beg leave to assure your Excellency, that my attachment to the true interest of my country is invariable, and that I am actuated by the same principle which has ever been the governing rule of my conduct, in this unhappy contest.
I have the honour to be, very respectfully, Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant, B. ARNOLD.
His Excellency General Washington.
Greyhound Schooner, Flag of Truce,
Dobbs's Ferry, October 2, 1780.
SIR,
A note I have from General Greene, leaves me in doubt if his memory had served him, to relate to you with exactness the substance of the conversation that had passed between him and myself, on the subject of Major Andre. In an affair of so much consequence to my friend, to the two armies, and humanity, I would leave no possibility of a misunderstanding, and therefore take the liberty to put in writing the substance of what I said to General Greene.
I offered to prove, by the evidence of Colonel Robinson and the officers of the Vulture, that Major Andre went on shore at General Arnold's desire, in a boat sent for him with a flag of truce; that he not only came ashore with the knowledge and under the protection of the General who commanded in the district, but that he took no step while on shore but by direction of General Arnold, as will appear by the inclosed letter from him to your Excellency.
Under these circumstances I could not, and hoped you would not, consider Major Andre as a spy, for any improper phrase in his letter to you.