THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH. 30I 



Teller's Point by some of the country people, which, being interpreted 

 us they wished, the captain of the Vulture sent off a boat with a flag, 

 which was fired upon as soon as it approached the shore. This gave 

 Andre the opportunity he desired, as it was a proper subject for a re- 

 monstrance to the commanding officer ; and a flag with a letter was 

 accordingly dispatched. The letter was dated on the 21st Sept. ; it was 

 in the handwriting of Andre, signed by the captain of the vessel, and 

 countersigned "John Anderson." (Andre's assumed name.) This flag 

 was sent to Verplank's Point. Arnold arrived just as the boat returned 

 to the Vulture. The letter was handed to him, and, of course, fully 

 understood ; thereupon he hastened to prepare Smith for a visit to the 

 enemy's vessel on the approaching night. Crossing from Verplank's 

 to Stony Point he made all the requisite arrangements respecting the 

 boat that Smith would want, and then proceeded to his quarters to re- 

 move the difficulty which had occurred respecting boatmen. The guard 

 boats had received orders not to stop Smith, and he also possessed the 

 countersign for the next night, which was the word " Congress." In the 

 morning Smith brought his tenant — Samuel Colquhoun, to a conference 

 with Arnold, who requested him to accompany his landlord on a visit 

 that night to the Vulture!'' The man at first refused, but at last con- 

 sented to go with his brother, Joseph Colquhoun, and Smith. They 

 were directed by Arnold to muffle the oars ;. and, thus prepared, about 

 midnight, the boat arrived at the Vulture. The noise made by the 

 officer on watch, and the sailors in their hailing the boat, was heard be- 

 low, and a boy sent up with orders that the man should be shown into 

 the cabin, supposing him to be Arnold. Smith descended, and found 

 his old acquaintance, Beverly Robinson. A letter from Arnold was 

 presented to the Colonel, in which he said, "This will be delivered to 

 you by Mr. Smith, who will conduct you to a place of safety. Neither 

 Mr. Smith nor any other person shall be made acquainted with your 

 proposals ; if they (which I doubt not) are of such a nature that I can 

 officially take notice of them, I shall do it with pleasure. I take it for 

 granted, Colonel Robinson will not propose anything that is not for the 

 interest of the United States, as well as of himself." Smith had like- 

 wise two papers signed by Arnold, which he showed to Robinson; one, 

 a permission to pass and repass with a boat to Dobb's Ferry, the other 

 a permission to Joshua Smith, Mr. John Anderson and two servants, to 

 pass and repass the guards near King's Ferry at all times. By these 

 papers Colonel Robinson understood that Arnold expected Andre to 

 come on shore. Smith was left with the captain of the vessel for about 

 a quarter of an hour, when Robinson returned with a person whom he 



