Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-08-07


OF truce to reacn the American Ines
Upon ihis feature OF the affair, foreign
writer makes these remarks
Il should not omit to notice in this
place the just censures that have been
passed on this abuse OF signal, under
shelter of which mankind have stipulated
to approach each other with pacific inten
tions, even amid the tiercest annimosities
of war Hostiiities are, at once, suspend
ed at the sight of flag; enemies hold
discourse, and agree upon matters of re-
ciprocal utility. The most savage nations
make known to each other by established
signals, that they wish to parley-even
upon the field of battie-and they respect
those signals 1t is true that the laws of
war have not prohibited the seducements
by which a general of an enemy is led
astray from his duty: But to employ
flag of truce, in order to advance scheme
of treason, is to hide the sword under the
olive branch-to sever ,he last tie that can
unite the species, when those of benevo-
lence and humanity are dissolved. One
regets to see SO Ugh minded soldier as
Andre, SO little scrupulous on this point"
The case, in truth, is far from indicat-
ing "the incest sense of honor"--which,
moreover, was as little indicated by the
assertion of Andre, after his seizure, that
the result of his being discovered would
have been different, had he possessed
more money and valuables than were a
bout his person, to offer to his captors,
the three American husbandmen. The
general train of circumstances proves this
to be an aspersion, and every American
is bound to himself and hissountry to be-
lieve i. such, unless the contrary be une-
quivocally proved.
Andre was soldier of fortune, intrep-
id, no doubt, and of captivating manners
anu agreeable conversation; but he was
hung rIghtfully as spy engaged in carry
ing into effect foul treason, for general
end which we, of the United States, must
ever hold in adherence. What credit,
therefore, can rebound to the British gov
ernment, from placing his remains in
Westminster Abbey, among those of the
national worthless, is not easy to be per-
ceived. He was not conspicuous for any
great force of genius, or extensive military
attainments; he had rendered no signal
services, hence, if his memory be now
specially honoured by "the Commander
in Chief of all the British Forces" it must
be on account of his having persisted in
an enterprise, which, as the abest British
Statesmen have often declared, would,
had it succeeded, have entaied political
servitude not only in America, but on
the whole British empire.
We war not with the dead, and can
have no interest nor inclination to dspa
rage the memory of Andre. This is
question of history and national feeling,
both of which are to be maintained, if
possible, in their purity and integrity
The personal merits of the individual
were much exaggerated-and mawkish,
over-wrought sympathy, which it is time
to discard, was produced by monodies
and female utulations. Among the OBJ
ects of most concern for the country at
this time is, we think, the cultivation of
an American tone of sentiment, as regards
the past as well as the present and the
future.
Just as we had finished these remarks,
we received New York paper of yes
terday evening, which speaks of circu-
lar of the British Consul on the subject
of the removal of Andres bones, and
procession to accompany the act A pub
lie procession in the city of New York to
honor the translation of the remains Of
the assistant and instigator of Arnold in a
treason that looked to the enslavement of
these States and the execution of the
Washingtons, the Chntons and perhaps a
host of other American Champions of
Liberty
The same paper of Tuesday last con-
tains the following additional interesting
remarks.
MAJOR ANDRE
Our friend, of the New York Evening
Post. whose opinion we always respect,
will find on examination, that we were
| not mistaken In suggesting, that Major
Andre made use of flag of truce. The
observations on that point which we quo
| ted, are those of Nj. de Marbois, in his
Conspiracy of Arnold" history of the
transaction, founded on most laborious
collection and collation. of authentic prin-
ted materials, and personal communica-
ton ofthe leading particulars from Gen.
Washington. One of the remarks of
Marbois is that +" Arnold and Andre could
not meet, publicly, under the auspices of
flag of truce, and though Andre had
| used this means to reach the lines they
were Obliged to concert, secret inter
view" AS soon as Andre and Robinson