THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH. 327 



questioned by gentlemen of equal character in our service." "The se- 

 cret correspondence with Arnold begun in 1779, had, at an early stage, 

 been intrusted by Clinton to Andre's exclusive management. 



The information received was valuable and often highly important, 

 nor was it long questionable from what quarter it came. In an elabo- 

 rately disguised hand Arnold wrote over the signature of Gustavus, — a 

 pseudonym perhaps suggested by the romantic story of Gustavus Vasa, 

 in whose love of military glory,, undaunted boldness, and successful re- 

 volt against the unwonted lords of his native land, he might persuade 

 himself, his own character found a counterpart. On the other part, the 

 fictitious name of Anderson was but a transparent play upon Andre's 

 own. The accuracy and nature of the intelligence soon gave Clinton 

 concern to know with certainty its author; and once satisfied in his 

 mind that this was no other than Arnold, he took his cue from cir- 

 cumstances, and delayed the final consummation until a period when the 

 loss of a correspondent so valuable would be compensated by weightier 

 gains than the individual defection of an officer of rank. Thus he con- 

 tinued to receive the most momentous revelations of our affairs; and it 

 may possibly have been that through these means a knowledge was ac- 

 quired of the condition of Carolina, that led to the fall of Charleston.'' 

 "On August 3d, 1780, Arnold was appointed to the command of West 

 Point and its dependencies; and it was forthwith concerted that his 

 treason should be fully developed with the greatest possible advantage to 

 the British.* 



The moment was a truly favorable one, the English were weary of 

 the continued strife, and really anxious for peace with America on al- 

 most any terms that might not involve Independency. On the other 

 hand, too, America was tired with the war. Various letters now passed 

 between Andre - and Arnold and an interview concerted. On Sept. 1 9th, 

 Colonel Williams of the 1 8th, then billeted at Kepp's House on the 

 East River, gave a dinner to Clinton and his staff as a parting compli- 

 ment to Andre. How brilliant soever the company, how cheerful the 

 repast, its memory must have ever been fraught with sadness to both 

 host and guests. It was the last occasion of Andre's meeting his com- 

 rads in life. Four short days gone, the hands then clasped by friendship 

 were fettered with hostile bonds; yet nine days more, and the darling of 

 the army, the youthful hero of the hour, had dangled from a gibbet. 



It was recollected with peculiar interest that when at this banquet the 



a It is curious that so long before as 1T76, Col. Geclwitz, of our army, entered into negotia- 

 tions with the enemy almost identical with those now conducted by Arnold. The delivery 

 of the forts on the North River was the ultimate design of either traitor. Gedwitz was guilty j 

 but he was acquitted because the court did not think his offence merited death. 



