Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-10-29
Major Andre. Defence.

a correspondent of the Newark Daily
Advertiser, who seems TO be fortunate in
the possession Of sundry 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 ever
to have seen before-the defence read BY
Major Andre before the Court which con-
demned him TO death as a spy We have
no doubt il will be read with lively interest
by many:
81 came,p he said, "io hold communi-
cation with general officer ofihe American
army, by the order OF my own commander.
| entered the American lines by an unques-
tionable authorily-when passed from them
il was by the same authority. used no
deception. had heard that provincial
officer had repenied Of the course he had
taken, and that he ayowed that he never
meant to 60 so far as he had gone. in re-
sisiing the authority Of his King.
The British commander was willing TO
extend TO him the Kings clemency--yea,
his bounty, in hopes to allure others 10 do
the same. / made no plans. examined
no works. | only received his communica.
tons, and was on my way to return TO the
army, and 10 make known all that had
learned from general officer in your camp.
Is this the Office OF spy? never should
have acted in that light, and what / have
done is not in the nature Of spy. l have
noted neither your strength nor your weak
ness. II there be wrong in the transaction,
is il minef The Office Of a spy, a soldier
has right to refuse; but, TO carry and fetch
communications with another army, never
heard was criminal. The circumstance
which followed, after my interview with
General Arnold, were not in my power 10
control. He alone had the management Of
them.
1t is said that rode in disguise. I rode
for security ineog., as far as was able, but
other than criminal deeds induce one 10 do
this. was not bound TO wear my uniform
any longer than il was expedient or polite.
! seorn the name Of spy brand my Of
fence with SOME other title, il il change not
my punishment, ] beseech OF you. II is
not death fear. | am buoyed above il By
consciousness Of having intended TO dis
charge my duty in an honorable manner.
Plans. it is said. were found with me.
This is true; but they were not mine. Yet
must tell you honestly that they would have
been communicated if had moi been taken.
They were sent by General Arnold 10 the
British commander, and should have de-
Iivered them From the bottom Of my heart
spurn the thought Of attempting to screen
myself BY eliminating mother; but so far
as ! am concerned, the truth shall be told,
whoever suffers. Il was the allegiance OF
General Arnold | came out to secure. II
l.s -. al.
Ger would be glad at this time to be able 10
retrace his steps; At least, we havo boon o"
informed. Shall j who came out 10 nego-
,iatc this allegiance only, be treated as one
who came TO spy out the weakness Of
campf II these actions are alike, have
10 learn my moral code anew.
Gentlemen, officers. be il understood that
am no supplicant for mercy; that I ask
only from Omnipotence--not from human
beings. Justice is all claim--that Justice
which is neither swayed by prejudice, nor
distorted by passion, but which flows from
honorable minds directed by yiriuous deter
limitations ~ W W st
| hear, gentlemen. that my case is ikened
to that Of Captain Hale, in I776. have
heard Of him and his misfonunes. wish
that in all that digni6es man, that adorns
and elegales human nature, I'could be nam.
ed with that accomplished but unfortunate
officer. His fate was hayward, and untime-
" was he cut of, yet younger than now
am. He went out knowing that he was as
Stunning the character Of spy He took all
its liabilities into his hand, at the request Of
his great commander. He was ready TO
meet what he assumed and all It's consc.
quences. His death the law Of nations
sanctioned. II may be complimentary 10
compare me with him, still il would be un-
just. He took his life in his hand when he
assumed the character and the disguise. |
assumed no disguise, nor took upon myself
any other character than that OF British
officer who had business 10 transact with an
American officer. M n
In fine, ask not even for Justice; il you
want victim to the names Of those fallen
un,imely, may as well be that victim as
another. have in the most undisguised
manner given you every fact in the case
only rely on the proper construction Of
those facts. Let me be called any thing
but a spy. ! am not spy, ! have exam
ined nothing, learned nothing, communion
ted nothing, hut my detention 10 Arnold,
that he might escape if he thought proper
so 10 do. This was, as conceived, my
duty hope the gallant officer who was
then unsuspicious Of his general will not 10
condemned for the military error be COM
mited
farther state that Smith, who was the
medium Of communication, did moi know
any part Of our conference, except that there
~ as Rorna nfceasiiv, FIR aacrarv lie mas