The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-06-26

iaIioA WltuouG DeluS suspected, consented
to another proposal from General Arnold
for Major Andre to go to him by water from
Dobb's ferry in boat which he would
himself send for him under a flag of Truce.
For l could have no reason to suspect th at
any bad consequence could possibly result
to Major Andre from such mode, as had
given it in charge to him, to not change Ais
Dress or name on any account, or possess
himself OF writings by which the nature of
his Embassy might be traced, and | under
stood that after his Business was finished
he was to be sent Back in the same way.
But unhappily none of these precautions
were observed; on the contrary, Gen.
Arnold, for reasons which he judged i'm
portant or perhaps (Which is the most
probable) losing at the moment his presence
OF mind, thought proper to drop the design
of sending Major Andre back by water,
and prevailed upon him Tor rather COM
PEELED him, as would appear by that unfor-
tunate officers letter to me- to part with
his uniform, and under borrowed disguise
to take circuitous Route to New York
through the Posts of the enemy under the
sanction of his passport. The consequence
was las might be expected) that he was
stopped at Tarrytown and searched, and
certain papers being found about him con-
cealed he was Notwithstanding his pass
port carried prisoner before Mr.. Washing
ton, to whom he candidly acknowledged
his name and Quality. Measures were of
course Immediately taken upon this to
seize General Arnold; but that officer being
fortunate enough to receive timely notice
of Major Andres fate, effected his escape
to a Kings sloop lying off Taller's point,
and came the next day to New York,
| was aYcppdinu1y Shorlad h,r fiji, x,o,,x,
unexpected accident which not only ruined
most important project, which had all
the appearance of being in happy train
of success, but involved in danger and
distress, confidential friend for whom I
had very deservedly) the warmest esteem.
Not Immediately knowing, however, the
full extent of the misfortune, l did not
then imagine the Enemy could have any
motive for pushing matters to extremity,
as the bare detention of so valuable an
officers person might have given him a
great power and advantage over me; and
was accordingly in hopes that an Official
demand from me for his immediate release,
as having been under the sanction of flag
of Truce when he landed within his posts.
might shorten his captivity or at least stop
his proceeding with rigour against him.
But the cruel and unfortunate catastrophe
convinced me that l was much mistaken
in my opinion of both his policy and
humanity. For delivering himself up las
it should SEEM to the rancour excited by
the near accomplishment of plan which
might have effectually restored the Kings
authority, and tumbled him from his pres
ent exalted situation, he burnt with a
desire of wreaking his vengeance on the
principal actors in it; and consequently
regardless of the acknowledged worth and
abilities of the amiable young man, who
had thus fallen into his hands, and in oppo-
sition to every principle of policy and call
of humanity, he, without remorse, put
him to most igpominious Death, and
this, at moment when one of his Generals
was by his own appointment in actual con-
ference with commissioners whom l had
sent to treat with him for Major Andres
release.
The manner in which Major Andre was
drawn to the Enemy's shore (manifestly at
the instance and under the sanction of the
General officer who had the command of
the district), and his being avowedly COM
PEELED by that officer to change his dress
and name, and return under his passports
by Land, were circumstances, which, as
they much lessen the imputed criminality
of his offence, ought at least to have soft
ened the severity of the Council of Wars
Opinion respecting it, Notwithstanding his
lmprudence of having possessed himself of
the papers which they found on him.
Which, though they led to discovery of
the nature of the business that drew him
to conference with General Arnold, were
not wanted las they must have known for
my Information. For they were not ignor-
ant that l had, myself, been over every
part of the ground on which the Forts
stood, and had, of course, made myself
perfectly acquainted with every thing me-
cessary for facilitating an attack of them.
Mr. Washington ought also to have remem-
bered that l had never, in one instance,
punished the disaffected Colonists within
my power with Death, but on the contrary,
had in several, shown the most humane
Attention to his Intercession even in favor
of avowed spies. His acting therefore in
SO cruel manner in opposition to my earn
est solicitations could not but excite in me
the greatest surprise; Especially as no ad-
vantage whatever could be possibly ex-
pected to his cause by putting the object of
them to Death. Nor could he be insensible
chad he the smallest spark of honour in his
own heart) that the example Though ever
so terrible and ignominious) would never
deter British officer from treading in the
same steps, whenever the service of his
country would require his exposing himself
to the like danger in such war. But the
subject affects me too deeply to proceed
nor can my heart cease to bleed whenever
l reflect on the very unworthy fate of this
most amiable and valuable young man,
who was adorned with the rarest Endow-
ments of Education and Nature, and chad
he lived) could not but have attained to the
Highest Honours of his profession! J"