Morning journal and courier., 1881-03-19
New Haven Colony Historical so-
 ciety.

Memorable Occasion An the society's His-
 tOry-PubIfc Meeting at old Music Hall
 -Hon. Erastus Brooks, Of New York, on 1 Arn0ld,s Treason and Andres Execution | -Rev. Dr. Bacon.
 Hon. Erastus Brooks of Staten Island, a brother of the late Hon. James Brooks, long editor of the New York Egpress and Q mem- Der of the New York Legislature, read very valuable paper before the New Haven Colony Historical society last evening at Pecks Grand Opera House. It was notable occa- sion in the history of this society, whose numbers have been recently so greatly aug mented, and which now has such admirable quarters. The audience was very large and comprised many of the most prominent and leading gentlemen of the city. MT. Brooks was introduced by Thomas R. Trowbridge, Esq, who, coming forward, announced that he acted as chairman in the absence of Rev. Dr. Beardsley, the president of the society, who was detained by illness. Among those upon the platform were Rev. Dr. Bacon. ex- Governor English, ex-Governor IngersoH' Professors Northrop, Fisher, Lyman, Bald 1 win, Hoppin and Platt of Yale College, Mayor Robertson, ex-Mayor Lewis, J. B. Sargent, Esq, Charles fl. Townsend Esq, Rev. E. E. Atwater, Hon. James Gallagher, Hon. Charles l.. English, Hon. Colin M. Ingersoll, Joel A. Sperry, Esq, A. l.. Kidston, Esq, Rev. MT. Andrews, James G. English, Esq The ad- l dress of the evening was delivered on the birthday of Washington, last month. The tendency of the times the speaker said, was l to honor the rising men of the land rather l than to recall the names of those who helped | give the life of the nation. The paper was specially designed for New York, but it was not inappropriate to read it here, where once Arnold resided At the time of Andres cap 1 ture General Washington was stopping at the De Wirt mansion. The family were warm loyalists. Washington followed at this colo nial mansion the orderly life of his beloved home as he did throughout life. The speaker related an incident A deserter had been ap- prehended One of the ladies of the De Wirt household interceded for the man. She met the great commander as he was coming from prayers as he was passing through the hall
 The General pardoned him, but the man de- serted again shortly and was then shot. It was interesting to hear the speaker tell of the old house-the De Wirt mansion. Much of it remains as it was when he occupied it. In one of the rooms Washington signed the death warrant of Andre. The first hotel in old Orangetown, N. T., was spoken of. The Dutch church where Andre was tried was built in 1716. In 1885 the present edi- fee, which stands on the site of the old, was erected. From Mrs. De Wirt delicacies were supplied to the lamented Andre, as he lay doomed to die. The in Andre was at the time the subject of unfa- vorable comment by some, but unjustly, as has been many times shown. General Wash ington, sagacious in discerning men, seemed unable to distrust Arnold or perceive the treachery of Arnold until the blow came. Paulding, Williams and Van Wirt, the peas- ant militiamen-theya are dead long ago, but their patriotic act will ever live in the mem- ory of men. It is plain to me that Andre did not value the men who had him prisoner at their manly worth ,as his offers of princely re- ward for release attest. We honor the mem ory of these captors and their example The work of these men has become an important feature in our national history. We are to regret that Andre ever doubted the integrity of the captors. It is duty to say that Paul. ding had been twice captured by the British army, and that Williams was but 22, but the men were rich in mature judgment and they did noble service for the country. When Paulding applied for an increased pension the facts of the capture were the subject of de- bate Lut the captors' worthiness stood the ordeal Andre's watch was taken but re- deemed. It is due to MT. Talmadge that his bad opinion of Andres captors was due to Andres own statementthat had he had money with him he would have been set at liberty. A scene of dramatic interest attached to the time and place of Andres arrest This the speaker detailed graphically. 'Andre's tree'' with it's great growth of 27 feet and limbs reaching nearly to the earth, is historic To this the captors took Andre and searched him. He said he had no letters-a pardon able lie under the circumstances with death 1 in view. The captors soon perceived that Andre was no common man. Had the cap
 tors been mercenary the papers they found l in his boots would have brought them large figure. The escape of Arnold was cruelty to the cause he had betrayed. Arnold told the story of his villainy in a few words l to his agonized wife, who fell fainting at the news. A dramatist tells us how a thief fears each bush and rustling leaf. Arnold was at the dinner table with Lafayette and Knox, and news came that spy had been taken with reasonable papers. Arnold sprang from the table, found his wife and exclaimed, 'I am a ruined man and must flee for my life." Arnold then, as cool as Satan, went back and ordered the news sent his wife, whom he had left fainting upon the floor. He was as cool upon the surface as the morning breeze in the autumnal day. Arnold fled to the shore on the horse of the very messenger who had brought him, unwittingly, the story of his own crime. He fled then in a boat to the Vulture.
 Let it be said to all honor of Mrs. Arnold that she was innocent of all knowledge of the ! treason. Arnold, perhaps, found rest for his body on the Vulture, but who can tell the an- guish of his soul. What sad feeling filled the breast of Washington as he heard of the treacherous act. It filled his bosom with poignant grief and sorrow. It was @ sur prise He did not dream it possible that Ar mold could have been so base.
 Nathan Hale was hung in 1776 in the morning of the revolution-after one night of captivity, hung without trial, without mercy, denied-a dying man-the use of Bible. Young Hale entered the enemy's lines at the request of Washington, who needed information of the enemy. The story of his capture was told The manner of the execu- ton was the most brutal act of the seven years' war; The contrast of Andres treat ment brought from him sincere ackno owledg- ments. Andre was-but 29 at the time of his execution-Hale was 21. While Andre was cool, calm, dispassionate at the fatal hour, Hale's words were regret that he had but one life to give for his country. (Applause.) The spot where Hale was buried no one knows, while Andres funeral was with all respect, and England's King removed the taint of death by hanging by knighting member of his family. One other scene corded in the drama of Andres seizure may be mentioned, Andres leaving his base of operations and his quest of information was narrated. His dress was described. When | discovered he thought the three men were either of his own side or else not unfriendly. Andre's eyes fell first upon Pauiding ''You are from below" ''I too am from below" l 1T am a British officer on important business. Do not detain me-" Arnold's pass was pre- scented. The crisis was apparent. Then came Paulding's reply 'n you gave us e1O, 900 you should not stir step" Arnold's dreadful situation in England was described. Deepised in England, detested in America, l what 8 life was his? One English Lord said
 'T will not speak while that man (Arnold) is l in the room" Note Arnold's dying words.