/;* North America. ' 113 



size of men; the lines of his face were regular, well marked, 

 and beautifully symmetrical, which gave him an expression of 

 countenance at once dignified and commanding. His address 

 was graceful and easy ; in manners he was truly exemplary, 

 and in conversation affable and instructive. Polite to all ranks 

 and classes of people, he was universally respected ; fond of 

 discipline, and always alive to the just claims and feelings of 

 others, he was beloved in the army, and generally appealed to 

 as the common arbitrator and conciliator of the contentions 

 of those around him. In a word, he was a sincere friend, a 

 scholar and accomplished gentleman, a patriot, a gallant 

 soldier, an able commander, and a Christian. 



General Washington, when called upon to sign his death- 

 warrant, which he did not do without hesitation,^ it is said, 

 dropped a tear upon the paper, and spoke at the same time to 

 the following effect : — " That were it not infringing upon the 

 duty and responsibility of his office, and disregardhig the 

 high prerogative of those who would fill that office after him, 

 the tear, which now lay upon tliat paper, should annihilate 

 the confirmation of an act to which his name would for ever 

 stand as a sanction. He was summoned that day to do a 

 deed at which his heart revolted ; but it was required of him 

 by the justice of his country, the desires and expectations 

 of the people : he owed it to the cause in which he was 

 solemnly engaged, to the welfare of ah infant confederacy, 

 the safety of a newly organised constitution which he had 

 pledged his honour to protect and defend, and a right given 

 to him that was acknowledged to be just by the ruling voice 

 of all nations." 



Andre, after he had heard his condemnation, addressed a 

 letter to Washington : it contained a feeling appeal to him as 

 a man, a soldier, and a general, on the mode of death he was 

 to die. It was his wish to be shot. This, however, could not 

 be granted : he had been taken and condemned as a spy, and 

 the laws of nations had established the manner of his death. 

 But where were the humanity and feeling of the British on 

 this occasion? Why did they not give up the dastardly 

 Arnold in exchange for the brave Andre ; as it was generously 

 proposed by the United States? * This they refused on a 



* Arnold was a general in the American service, and had distinguished 

 himself on former occasions like a brave soldier, an experienced com- 

 mander, and a sincere citizen ; but, like another Judas Iscariot, he afterwards 

 thought fit to turn traitor. He deserted to the English as soon as the 

 news reached him of the apprehension of Andre (because he knew then that 

 his name and the plans arranged previously between him and the British 

 general would be exposed and frustrated), with tHe expectation of receiv- 

 VpL. IV. — No. 18. I 



