Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-10-15
MAJOR ANDRES DEFENCE.

Vertlser, who seems TO be fortunate in the pos
session OF sundry curious old papers and 9TH
er memorials of the past as we'll as of cores
pondlng knowledge and memory, has furnish
ed for the columns of that paper document
which we do not remember to have ever seen
betore-the defence read by Major Andre be-
tore the Court which condemned him to death
as spy; We have no doubt that it will be
read with lively interest by many:
came" he said, 90 to hold communica-
ton with general officer of the American ar
my, by the order of nv own commander. |
entered the American lines by an unqueston-
able authonty-when passed from them it
was by the same authority. I used no decep-
ton. had heard that a provincial officer
had fepented of the course he had taken, and
that be avowed that he never meant to go so
Tar as. he had gone, in resisting the authority
Of his King.
1.-The British commander was willing TO
extend to him the Kings clemency yea, his
bounty, in hopes to allure others to do the
same. made no plans. | examined no
works. | only received his communications,
and was on my way to return to the army,
and TO make known all that had learned from
a general officer In your camp. Is this the Of
fce OF spy? never should have acted in
nature OF spy. have noted neither your
strength nor weakness. If there be wrong in
the transaction, is it mine? The office of a
spy soldier has right to refuse; but, to
carry and fetch communications with another
army, never heard was criminal The cir
cumstances which followed, after nv inter-
view with Gen. Arnold, were not in nv pow
er to control. He alone had the management
of them.
& 1t is said that rode in disguise rode
for security lncog as far as | was able, but
other than criminal deeds induce one TO do
| this was not bound to wear my uniform
any longer than it was expedent or polite. |
ScOrn the name of spy: brand my offence
with some other title, if it change not my pun
ishment, beech you. Itis not death fear.
| am buoyed above It by a consciousness of
having intended to discharge my duty in an
! honorable manner.
Plans, it is said, were found with me-
! This is true; but they were not NINE Yet
must tell you honestly that they would have
| been communicated if had not been taken.
They were sent by Gen: Arnold to the British
commander, and should have delivered them.
From the bottom Of my heart spurn the tho't
OF attempting to screen myself by eliminating
another; but so far as | am concerned the
truth shall be told, whoever suffers It was
the allegiance of General Arnold | came out
to secure. 1t was fair to presume that many
a brave officer would be glad at this time to
be able to retrace his steps; at least we have
been so informed. Shall |, who came out to
negotiate this allegiance only, be treated as
one who came to spy out the weakness OF a
camp? II these actions are alike, | have to
! learn my moral code anew
Gentlemen, officers, be it understood that
| am no suppllcant for mercy that ask only
| from OmnIpOtence-nO from human beings.
Justice is all | claim-that justice which is
neither swayed by prejudice, nor distorted by
! passion, but that which flows from honorable
minds directed by virtuous determinations
hear, gentlemen, that my case is likened to
that of Capt. Hale, in 1775. | have heard OF
him and his mlsfortunes. wish that in all
that dignltles man, that adorns and elevates
human nature, could be named with that &C
complished but unfortunate officer. His fate
was hayward, and untimely was he cut off
yet younger than now am He went ou
knowing that he was assuming the character
Of d spy. He took all its liabilities into his
hands, at the request of his great commander
He was ready to meet what he assumed anC
al its consequences. His death the Jaw o
nations sanctioned. 1t may be compiimenta
ry to compare me with him, still it would be
unjust, He took his life in his hand wher
he assumed the character and the disguise.
assumed no disguise, nor took upon myself a
ny other character than that of British Off
Ger who had business 10 transact with an a
mercan officer.
g In fine, ask not even for Justice if yoI
want victim to the names OF those fallen I'm
timely, may as we'll be that victim as anoth
er. have in the most undisguised name
given you every fact in the case. | only re
" On the proper construction of those facts
Let me be called anything but spy, | an
not a spy. | have examined nothing, learne
nothing, communicated nothing, but my de
tention, to Arnold, that he might escape if h
thought proper SO to do. This was, as con
ceiyed, my duty. | hope the gallant office
who was then unsuSpcious of his general viii
not be condemned for the military error h
committe |.
g further state that Smith, who WIS til
me :um OF com nurIca on, lii not know an
part of our conference, except that there wa
some ne Sary for secrecy. lie was counse
in v4rOn~ matters for Genera!d Aroo' /. on
from all The interviews | ha With him AMI
was Smith who lent me this dress coat O
crimson, on being told that dill not wish
j, be known by English or Americans. i d
not believe that he had even a suppoSlon O
my erranl. On me yoUr wrath should tail,
on any one | know Your affairs look gloomy
but that is no reason why should be sacrif
a cei. My death can DO your cause DO goo
Millions OF friends to your Struggle IN Eng
LAM, you will lose if you condemn me. Sa
not this by way Of threat for know brav
' men are not awed by them-nor will BRAY
: men be vind;ctiv because they are despond
c ing should not have said a Wort hal
: not been for the opinion OF others, which al
e bound TO respect
: The sentence you this day pronounce WI
l 90 down to posterity with exceeding great dl:
II tinctness on the page of history; and if human
y ity and honor mark this days decision, yol
II names, each and all of you, will he rememhe
: ell by both nations when they have grow
= greater and more powerful than they now ar
But, if misfortune befals me, | shall IN TN
4 have all due honors paid to my memory, II
n martyr is kept in remembrance when the II
y, bunal that condemned him is forgotten.
h trust this honorable Court will believe n
when say that what have spoken was fro
Or no idle fears of coward. I have done"
% AN ENGLTSHMAN ON THE OHIO.
Among the members elect of the House
& Commons, we see, is E. H Baldock, Esq,
London. (now NJ. P. from Shrewsbury n