A NATIONAL BENEFACTOR 249 
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up a stone.” His purpose was simply to mark an incident 
notable in American history. But when the newspaper head- 
lines reached the public, their sensational phraseology gave 
the impression that Field, an Anglomaniac, was erecting a 
monument to a British spy who had worked to make the Rev- 
olution a failure. The old “spread-eagle” patriotism was 
whipped up and resentment flamed against him who had 
been “gallant Cyrus.’’ It was one of the ‘“‘tempests in a tea- 
pot” that Americans welcome for excitement. 
Dean Stanley was astonished at such a reaction. He wrote: 
“Tf you find that there is really a feeling against it, pray do 
not think of it. The game is not worth the candle. Poor 
Major André, engaging as he was, is not worth rekindling of 
forgotten animosities.” 
With his customary perseverance, Field continued with 
his plans. He tried to get the New York Historical Society 
to cooperate and give the monument the aspect of an ordin- 
ary historical marker, but that organization declined to be 
implicated. According to Field’s instructions, a stone like an 
ordinary cemetery-monument was cut and inscribed as fol- 
lows: 
Here died, October 2, 1780, 
Major John André, of the British Army, 
Who, entering the American Lines 
On a secret Mission to Benedict Arnold, 
For the Surrender of West Point, 
Was taken Prisoner, tried, and condemned as a Spy. 
His Death, 
Though according to the stern code of war, 
Moved even his enemies to pity, 
And both armies mourned the fate 
Of one so young and so brave. 
In 1821 his remains were removed to Westminster Abbey. 
A hundred years after the execution 
This stone was placed above the spot where he lay 
By a citizen of the United States, against which he fought, 
Not to perpetuate the record of strife, 
