Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-03-11
6istorttol.
The Treason Of Arnold.
CONCLuDED.l

One of the militia men, David Williams has
given the following account of this important ar
rest
81 first entered the continental army in ITS,
and continued in service until disabled by hav-
ing my feet frozen. was then obliged to take
what employment | could meet with for my sup
port choppng grubbing, and all such work,
living about twenty miles from my house and
fmily
"On the 22d day of September, 1880 I had
been looking for work, and on my return TO where
boarded, | saw six men coming. | met them.
and asked them where they were going. They
SAID, TO TarrytoWn.' | told them if they wonld
wait few moments, would get my muskct and
go with them.-We went on fifteen miles and
night coming on we crept into hay-barrack and
lay till morning We then crossed ButterniIl
Hill, and on the way, Paudng proposed to stop
at Joyce Reeds and get pack Of cards. When
we came to Davis Hill, theparty separated leav-
ing lour there while we three went down the
lafrytoWn road. We commenced playing cards
near the road, and after being there about an
hour, we heard the sound of horse coming at
full gallop. Which Of us spoke first do not re-
member, but one said there comes traitor, 90
ing to New York When he came within prop
er distance, we stepped out before him in the
road. Gentlemen, said he, 4 hope you belong
to our party We asked him what party! He
sad the lower party. We told him IRE did, He
then sad i am British officer. | have been
up the country on particular business: and to let
you know | am gentleman, look at this, -
showing his gold watch. We then told him we
were merlcms,-'God bless my soul . said he
"A man must do anything to get along and then
showed us 1rnoldS pass We told him that he
must dlsmount, and that we must search him
Lads said he, You will bring yourselves into
trouble We told him we did not care for that
and asked him if he had any other papers about
HIM! He said no. We then took him about
twenty rods from the road into the bushes, and
searched HIM | examined every spot where it
was possible papers could be concealed | then
told HIM to sit down, and | must take eff his
boots; as his foot came out cf the boot PauIding
caught hold Of it and said, God here it Isl
pulled eft his stocking, and inside Of it found
three half sheets Of paper wrapped up in another
half sheet; on the outside wrapper was written.
West Point and pulling off his other boot and
stocking, the like papers were found
'Pauldlng then said she was a spy We then
dressed him, after obtaining the papers, and
crossed the road with him, and asked him where
he got the papers, he said at Pines Bridge of
man he did not know who he was-but, said he.
If you will let me 60, will give you one hun
dred gulneas, my watch, horse, saddle and bride.
We told him no. and asked again, from whom
he received the papers? He offered us one thou
sand guineas if we would let him CO. we again
answered mo- The last offer he made was ten
thousand guinness and as many dry goods as we
would ask for, and he would give his order ON
Henry Clinton Chief Commander cf New York
II we would only consent to let him escape after
the money and dry goods, or anything else we
should please to name, should be received We
said his offers were of no use, we were resolved
to do cur duty to our countryp We then con-
Quoted him to the commander of the scouting
parties Col. jameson, and delivered him up"
There were SIX separate papers found on Andre
as toLows:-Frst, artillery orders, which had re-
Gently been published at West Point, giving d.
rcctons how eacl corpse should be disposed of it.
selfm case Of an alarm. This paper was Of the
utmost importance, as it would enable the enemy,
when they should make an attack, to know the
precise condition Of every part of the garrison.
Secondly, an estimate Of the force at West Point
and its dependencies. Thirdly, an estimate Of
the number of men requisite to man the works
Fourthly, return Of the ordinance in the differ
ent forts, redoubts and batteries Filthy, re-
marks on the works at West Point, describing
the construction Of each and its strength or
weakness. SiXthly, report of a council Of war
lately held at headquarters, which Gen. Wash
mgton had sent to Arnold only few days before
requesting his opinion on the subjects to which
it referred.
Andre was carried before Lieut. COL Jane
son, the officer commanding the scouting parties
on the lines, and regardless Of himself, and only
anxious for the safety Of Arnold, he still main
tanned the character which he had assumed, and
requested COL jameson to inform his command
ing officer, that Anderson was taken. A letter
was accordingly sent to Arnold, and the traitor
thus becoming acquainted with his danger, es-
capped
A board of general officers, Of which Major
General Green was president, and the two for
eign generals, Lafayette and Suben were mem
bers, was called to report the precise state of the
case of Andre, who had acknowledged himself
Acknowledgement of the British Army, and to de-
tcrmine in what character he was to be consid-
ered and to what punishment he was liable. He
received from the board every mark of indul-
gent attention; and from sense of Justice as well
as Of delicacy, he was informed on the first OPEN
ing Of the examination, that he was at perfect
liberty not to answer any mterrogatory which
might embarrass his own feelings But he dis
daned every evasion, and frankly acknowledged
every thing that was material to his condemna-
ton. The court delberated long, and at last
came to the decision, that Ng0r Andre aoas a
spy, and ought to suffer deoth
An indirect attempt was made by certain Off.
GERS of the American army to induce Sir Henry
Clinton to exchange Arnold for Andre. But the
British commander considered it such ayiolatior
of honor and every military principle to give III
man who had deserted from the enemy and es
poused the Kings cause, that he would not en-
terrain the idea
The time fixed for the execution was the I'd Q
October, at IL o'clock When the hour was an
nounced to him in the morning, he received
without emotion, and, while all present were al
fected with silent gloom, he retained firm coun