Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-06-18
Arnold and Andre.
lOhicagO Tribune.


Providence, r. l., contains "History of
the Origin. Progress and Termination of
the American War;" by Stedman, an Off
Ger in the English army. This particular
copy of the book once belonged to Sir
Henry Clinton. vic C:!.3 Conducted the nego.
tiations with Benedict Arnold, and sent
out Major Andre to confer with the trait
or. 1t contains many mnotations by Clin-
ton. His comment on Stedman's account
of the attempt 10 betray West Point into
the hands of the British is: Ignorance
of the whole transaction-too tender a
subject to explain upon now" By the
time he finished reading the book. how,
ever. he seems to hayc decided to record
what seemed to him fair statement of
the case. The fly leaves at the end of the
second volume contain this curious record,
which has just been published for the first
time:
Arnold opened negotiations with Clinton
in 1880. He said that the alliance with
France had disguised him, and that he
would, on this account, go over to the Brit
ish, provided he was guaranteed personal
security aud indemnity for any loss OF
property he might sustain. Sir Henry was
''liberaI' in his promises. He got from
Arnold, on several occasions, ''most mate
rial intelligence" and finally, at the lat.
tcr's request, sent Andre to meet him on
neutral ground. At this time Clinton was
still uncertain whether his correspondent
was really Major General Arnold. Several
meetings were planned, but each one was
prevented by some unexpected c:rcum
stance. Finally. on Arnold g suggestion,
Andre visited West Point under flag OF
truce. He had been charged by Clinton
mot to change his dress or name on any
account" and to carry no suspicious pa
pers. He was to return by water, as be
went. Ifthis plan had been carried out,
Andre would have incurred no risk what
ever. But Arnold, either for some un,
known reason, or because he lost his pres
ence of mind for the moment, persuaded
or compelled his visitor to disguise him.
self and pass through the American lines
with only passport and his wits to pro-
tect him. Both resources failed. Arnold,
when he heard of Andres arrest, fed to
New York and carried the news to Gin,
ton. The latter was grieved, but supposed
that his friend would soon be exchanged.
He was horrlfed when ''Mr. Washing.
tons" Council of War condemned Andre
to death. His having landed under flag
of truce, at the request of Arnold, and his
haying assumed disguise anG taken
false passport at the instance Of the latter,
are urged in this curious document as rea-
cons why his life should have been spared.
This is not very conclusive reasoning. but
better could not be expected from such a
warm friend 40 Clinton. He ends his note
BY saying that his heart will ''never cease
to bleed" at the thought Of Andres fate.
Much Is We may deplore the untimely
death of = gallant gentleman, whose
Judges grieved over the sentence they had
to pronounce, 1t can scarcely be seriously
denied that the use of . flag of truce, un
der the circumstances, only aggravated the
guilt of the spy who was caught with the
wntten proofs of his crime concealed upon
his person. He waa good man, and
brave man, and . smart man, but another
spy Of the American ReYolutiOn was
greater than ha Andre. hung for hrs
share In plot to corrupt . soldier. cannot
be compared with Nathan Hale. . legiti-
mate spy, whose work had nothing vile
about il, and who went 70 tho scaffOid re-
GREETING that he could give only one lite
for bic couut4y.