Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-01-27
MAJOR ANDRE.

we StODnc0 at IltIDUllA3 WI nv Nf'N''
part of Tappan bay, where the Hudson en-
tends itself to the width of three miles. On
the opposite side, in full view of the Hotel, is
Tarrytown, where poor Andre was captured.
Tradition says, that a very large white-wood
tree under which he was taken, was struck by
lightning on the very day that news of Andres
death was received at Tarrytown. As sat
gazing on the opposite woods, dark in the
shadows of moonlight, ] thought upon how
very slight circumstance often depend the fate
of individuals, and the destiny Of nations. In
the autumn Of 1880, a farmer CHANGED to be
making cider at q mill, on the cast bank Of the
Hudson, near that part of Havcrslraw Bay,
called "Mother's Lap" Two young men
carrying muskets, as usual in those troubled
times, stopped for a dTaught of sweet cider,
and seated themselves on a log To wait for it.
Tn farmer found them looking very intently
on SOM distant object, and inquired what
they saw.
"lIushl hush % they replied; 'the redcoats
are yonder just within the lap" pointing to
an English gun boat, with "a men, lying on
their oars. Behind the shelter of a rock, they
fired into the boat and killed two persons.-
The British returned a random shot, but ig-
norant Of the number of their opponents, and
seeing it was useless to waste ammunition on
a hidden foe, they returned whence they came
with all possible speed. This boat had been
sent to convey Major Andre to the British
sloop of war Vulture, then lying at anchor off
Teller's Point. Shortly after, Andre arrived,
and finding the boat gone, he in attempting to
proceed through the interior, was captured.
Had not those men stopped TO drink sweet
cider, it is probable that Andre would not
have been hung: the American revolution
would have terminated in a quite different fash
ion: men now deifed as heroes, would have
been handed down to prosperity as traitors.
A very pleasant ride at sunset brought us TO
-Orangetown, to the lone field where Andre
was executed. 1t is planted with potatoes,
but the plough spares the spot where were
once his gallows and his grave. A rude heap
of stones with the remains of a dead fir tree
in the midst, are all that mark it: but tree and
stones are covered with names. 1t is on an
eminence, commanding a view of the country
for miles. | gazed on the surrounding woods
and remembering that on the self same spot,
the beautiful and accomplished young man
walked back and forth, a few minutes preced-
ing his execution, taking an earnest and fare
well look Of earth and sky. My heart was sad
within me.
A few years ago, the Duke of York reques-
ted the British consul TO send the remains of
Major Andre to England. At that time two
thriving frs were found near the grave, and a
peach tree, which a lady in the neighborhood
hal planted there, in the kindness of her heart.
The farmers who came to witness the inter-
esting ceremony, generally evince the most re-
spectful tenderness for the memory of the un-
fortunate dead; and many of the women aud
children wept. A few l%oaiers, educated by
militia trainings and 4th Of July declarations,
began to murmur that the memory of General
w ashingtOn was insulted by any respect
shown to the remains of Andre; but the offer
OF a treat lured them to a tavern, where they !
soon became to drunk too guard the character
OF Washington. 1t was a beautiful day; and
these disturbing spirits being removed, the
impressive ceremony proceeded in solemn ST.
lence. The coffin was in good preservation,
and contained all the bones, with a small guam
tity of dust. The roots of the peach tree had
entirely interviewer the skull with network of
its roots. His hair so much praised for its I'M
common beauty, was tied, on the day of his {
according 10 the lashi N of the 1
TINS. When his grave was opened, halfa cen r
tury afterwards the ribbon was found in per- [
feet preservation, and sent to his sister in Eng ?
land. O
AT the foot of the eminence where the gal q
lows had been erected, was found an old Dutch d
farm house, occupied by a man who witnessed q
execution, and whose father often sold pea
to the unhappy prisoner. He confirmed
the account of Andres uncommon beauty, il
and had a vivid remembrance of the pale, bui C.
heroism with which he met his unlimeiy death. a
Every thing was Anticipated. Two prime pic Ii
lures of George III, and his homley Queen, a
taken at a period when we owed allegiance to h
them, as "the government ordained of God, - G.
marked plainly the progress since that period; b
Ir the portraits of Victoria on our cotton n
spools are graceful in comparison. An an F.
;lent clock which had licked uninterrupted
time on the same ground for more than a
hundred years, stood in one corner of the lit
lie parlor. 1t was brought from the East In
lies by a sea captain, great grandfather Of the
present owner. In those notions, opinions
ire transmitted unchanged, the outward forms
lnd symbols OF thought remain SO likewise.-
The gIlded figures which entirely cover the
'ody orthis old clock, are precicely the same, n
n perspective outline, and expression, as East /
india figures of the present day. =,
Not far from the church is a small stone 4
used as a tavern. Here they showed al
ne ldenticalroom where Andre was imprison- 81
with the exception of new plastering, il CO
cmalns the same as then. 1t is long, low and il
harrow, and being without furniture or fire
'lace, it still had rather a Jail look. | was sor-
y for the new plastering; for | hoped to find r
ONE record OF prison thoughts cut in the Ut
walls. Two doves were cuddled together on as
Dench IN one corner, and looked in some III
what melancholy mood. These mates were :,
IL alone in that apartment, where Andre shed W
inter tears over the miniature Of his beloved. NJ
Tor mated human hearts! This world is IT
30 often for them a pilgrimage of sorrow. =,
The miniature, which Andre made such strong -"
itorts to preserve, when every thing else was n
AIKEN from him, and which he carried next to d
rs heart, till the last fatal moment, is gene
supposed TO have been a likeness Of the
eautiful and graceful and highly Honora ,,
neyd, who married Richard Lovel Edge
'orlh, and thus became molher-in-law to the =
celebrated Maria E%dgeworth. az
-
Iatue Of Plaster and fishes. Mr. Enoch -
looIt, a farmer upon Horse hill in this town, v