Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-09
MAJOR ANDRES DEFENCE.

correspondent of the Newark Daily Advertiser,
who seems TO be fortunate in the possession of sun
dry curious old papers and other memorials of the
past as well as of corresponding knowledge and
memory, has furnished for the columns of that paper
a document which we do not remember to have
ever seen before-the defence read by Major ANDRE
before the Court which condemned him TO death as
a spy. We have no doubt that it will be read with
lively interest by many
s'I came" he said, "to hold a communication with
general officer of the American army, by the order OF
commander. enteed the American lines by unqueso
able authority when passed from them il by the same
authority. used deception had heard that provin
ca officer had repented of the he had aken and that
he avowed that he meant to far he had
resisting the authority Of his King.
"The British commander was willing to extend to him the
Kings cemencyyea, his bounty, in hopes allure others
to do the | made plans examined no works.
only received his communications, and my way
the army and 10 make known all that had learned
from general officer in your camp Is this the office of
spy | should have acted in that light, and what
have done is not in the nature of spy have noted neither
your strength weakness If there be wrong the
action, is it mine The office OF spy soldier has right
to refuse but, to carry and fetch communications with
Their army never heard was criminal The circumstances
which followed after my interview with General Arnold
in my power to CONTROL He alone had the management
Of them.
cit is said that rode in disguise. | rode for security
ncog far able, but other than criminal deeds in
duce do this not bound my uniform any
longer than it expeden polite. scorn the name of
spy brand my offence with other title, if il change not
my punishment, beseech you 1t is not death fear am
buoyed above il by Of having intended to dis
charge my duty in an honorable
Plans II is said, found with This is true but
they not mne Yet must tell you honestly that they
would have been communicated if had not been TAKEN
They sent by General Arnold to the British commander
and should have delivered them. From the bottom Of my
heart spun the thought of attempting myself by
eliminating another but so far concerned the truth
shall be told whoever suffers. 1t the allegiance Of Gen.
Arnold came out TO 1t fair to presume that
many brave officer would be glad this time to be able
retrace his steps at least have been informed Shall
who came out to negotiate this allegiance only be treated
as who came TO spy out the weakness of camp II
these actions alike, have to learn my moral code
Gentlemen, officers, be il understood that suppl
cant for mercy that ask only from Omnipotencc-not from
human beings. Justice is all claimha justice which is
neither swayed by prejudice distorted by passion but
that which flows from honorable minds directed by vuous
determinations lhear, gentlemen, that my kened to
that Of Capt. Hale in l775 have heard Of him and his
msfortunes wish that in all that dgnfes man. that adons
and eevaes human nature could be named with that
pshed but unfortunate officer. His fate wayward and
untmely was he cut off, yet younger than now He
went out knowing that he assuming the character Of
spy He took all its liabilities into his hand the request
Of his groat He ready to meet what he
sumed and all its consequences His death the law Of
tons sanctioned IL may be complimentary to compare
with him, still would be unjust He took his life in his
hand when he assumed the character and the disguise
umcd Disguise took upon myself any other
than that Of British officer who had business 10 transact with
American officer
In fine, ask for justice if you want a victim
to the of those fallen unmely, may as well be that
victim another. have in the most undsgused manner
given you every fact in the only rely on the proper
construction of those facts Let be called any thing
spy a spy Ihave examined nothing learned no
thing, communicated nothing but my detention to Arnold
that he might escape if he thought proper do. This
was conceived, my duty. hope the gallant officer who
then unsuspcous Of his General will not be condemned for
the military he committed.
a. further that Smith, who the medium OF com
municaon, did not know any part of conference except
that there necessity for secrecy He was counsel
in for General Arnold and from all the inter-
views had with him aud il Smith who lent me this
dresscoa Of crimson, being told that did wish be
known by English Americans. do not believe that he
had supposition Of my GRAND. On me your wrath
should fall if any know your affairs look gloomy
but that no reason why should be sacrificed NV death
do your good Millions of friends to your strug
gle in England you will lose il you condemn me- say not
this by way threat for know brave not awed by
themno will brave be vndcve because they are de-
spending should not have said word had not been for the
opinion Of others, which am bound 10 respect.
"The sentence you this day pronounce will 20 down to
postery with exceeding great dstncness the page OF his
tory and If humanity and honor mark this days decision
your Names each and oil Of you, will be remembered by both
nations when they have grown greater and powerful
than they now are But il misfortune befas me- shall in
time have all due honors paid my memory The martyr
kept remembrance when the tribunal that condemned him
is forgotten trust this honorable Court will believe me
when say that what have spoken from idle fears Of
a coward. have DONE"