Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-03-11

The fatal hour having arrived, large detach-
ment OF troops was paraded, and an immense
concourse of people assembled; almost all our
general and field officers, excepting his Excellen-
cy and his staff, were present on horseback; mel
mcholy and gloom peryaded all ranks; the scene
was affecting and awful
His reglmentals had been brought from New
York by his own servant who was permitted to
be his constant attendant during thishying scene;
and thus the prisoner appeared on the day of eX-
ecuton in full dress uniform of British officer.
Major Andre walked from the stone house, III
which he had been confined, between two subal-
tern officers, arm in arm; the eyes of the inn
mense multitude were fixed on him. who, rising
superior to the fear of death, appeared as if con-
sclous of the dlgnlied department which he dis
played. lie betrayed no want of forttude, but
retained a complacent smile on his countenance,
and politely bowed to several gentlemen whom he
knew, which was respectfully returned. 1t was
his earnest desire to be shot, as being the mode
of death most conformable to the feelings of mil
itary man, and he INDUCED the hope that bis re-
quest would be granted. AT the moment, there
fore when suddenly he came in view Of the gallows,
he nvoluntarily started back; and made q pause.
'Why this emotion, sir!" said an officer by his
side. Instantly recovering his composure, he
SAID, 81 am rcconciled to my death, but | detest
the mode"
So soon as he perceived that things were in
he stepped quickly into the Wagon,
which was placed under the galIows and at this
moment he appeared to shrink but instantly
elcyating his head with frmness, he said at will
be but momcntary pang' and after removing
his hat and stock, he took from his pocket white
with which he bandagcd his own
eyes with perfect firmness, which melted the
hearts, and molstened the cheeks, not only of his
servant, but of the throng of spectators The
rope being appended to the gallows, he slipped the
moose over his own head, and adjusted it to his
neck, without the assistance of the cxecutioner
Col. SCANNED now informed him, that he had an
opportunity to speak if he desired it. He raised
the handkerchief from his eyes, and said, "pray
bear me witness, that ! meet my fate like brave
man. The provost marshall then loosely PIN
Toned his arms, and the prisoner himself placed
a bandage over his eyes. The Wagon being
now removed from under him, he was suspended
and instantly expired
Arnold was appointed Brigadier General in the
British army, and was sent to rayage Virginia.
On his return from this inglorous expedition, he
went to New London, his native county in Con-
nectlcut, and there carried fire and sword among
his brethren contrary to every law Of honorable
warfare. When his treason was first known, he
was burnt in eigy in Philadelphia, and other
places, and was stricken out from the register of
the United States army by order of Congress;
but time can never etface his name from the rolls
OF ntamy; he will hang forever in effigy for the
hngcr OF scom to point at, and a terror to those
who are destitute Of honor and patriotism. After
living about twenty years IN merlted contempt
and infamy, he died. miserably at his residence
i'll Grosyenor Square, London; not only unpitied
and unhonored, but leaving behind him name
which has become by-word for treason among
both British and American people.
How strikingly does the dying declaration eff
the lamented Capt Nathan Hale, contrast in dig
nifty of department, undaunted courage, and pure
and lofty patriotism, with the last words of An
DIRE, both Of whom were executed for similar Of
fences. While the British held possession Of
Long Island, in l776, Hale was despatched by
Washington on duty of nature which carried
him within the encmys line. He was arrested
as a spy, tried at midnight and hing the merit
morning. Alone, untriended, without the conso-
lations Of kindred friends and clergy, denied the
privilege of sending a written message to his
mother, and with but few hours allowed him in
which to prepare his mind for the awful event,
Nathan Hale closed his mortal career with the
declaration that che only lamented that he had
but one life to loose for his country" When an
Dire stood under the gaows, and about to be
launched into eternity, he called on all around
him to bear witness "thdt he died like braUc
man," The dying words of Hale embodied a
nobler and more sublime sentiment, breathing a
spirit of satisfaction, that, although brought to an
untimey end, it was his lot to "die martyr to
his countrys cause" andre was most anxious
for his own personal reputation.