Tappan, Oct. 1, 1780.
SIR,
Bouy'd above the terror of death, by the consciousness of a life devoted to honourable pursuits, and stained with no action that can give me remorse, I trust that the request I make to your Excellency at this serious period, and which is to soften my last moments, will not be rejected.
Sympathy towards a soldier will surely induce your Excellency and a military tribunal to adopt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of honour.
Let me hope, Sir, that if ought in my character impresses you with esteem towards me, if ought in my misfortunes marks me as the victim of policy and not of resentment, I shall experience the operation of these feelings in your breast, by being informed that I am not to die on a gibbet.
I have the honour to be, your Excellency's Most obedient and most humble servant, JOHN ANDRE, Adj. Gen. to the British army.
The time which elapsed between the capture of Major Andre, which was on the morning of the 23d of Sept. and his execution, which did not take place till 12 o'clock on the 3d of October;—the mode of trying him;—his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. on the 29th of September, in which he said, "I receive the greatest attention from his Excellency General Washington, and from every person under whose charge I happen to be placed;"—not to mention many other acknowledgments which he made of the good treatment he received;—must evince, that the proceedings against him were not guided by passion or resentment. The practice and usage of war were against his request, and made the indulgence he solicited, circumstanced as he was, inadmissible.
Published by order of Congress,