THE TOWN OF LEWISBORO. 453 



apartment which he consented to share with the prisoner. The room 

 could be easily guarded, as it had but one door and one window. Andre 

 appeared much fatigued, and at first was little inclined to talk. His 

 clothes were soiled, and he accepted a change from Mr. Bronson, while 

 his linen and nankeen under-dress was sent to the washerwoman. 



Becoming refreshed and more at ease, he relaxed into familiar con- 

 versation, which, with his agreeable and courteous manners, excited the 

 interest and secured the good will of his room-mate. He resorted to 

 his favorite resource for amusement, and sketched with a pencil a group 

 of ludicrous figures, representing himself and his escort under march. He 

 presented the sketch to Bronson, saying, " This will give you an idea of 

 the style in which I have had the honor to be conducted to my present 

 abode." In diversions of this "kind the morning passed away. As it 

 was known to Andre that the papers found on his person had been trans- 

 mitted to General Washington, who must soon receive them, and it 

 being now evident, that he would not himself be sent to Arnold, he per- 

 ceived that any further attempts at concealment would be unavailing 

 and resolved to stand forth in his true character, seeking no other 

 mitigation of his case, than such as could be granted on the strict prin- 

 ciples of honor and military usage. With this view he wrote in Bran- 

 son's room, his first letter to General Washington : 



" Salem, 24 September, 1780. 

 "Sib:— 



' ' What I have as yet said concerning myself, was in the justifiable attempt to 

 be extricated ; I am too little accustomed to duplicity to have succeeded. 



" I beg your excellency will be persuaded, that no alteration in the temper of 

 my mind, or apprehension for my safety, induces me to take the step of address- 

 ing you ; but that it is to rescue myself from an imputation of having assumed 

 a mean character for treacherous purposes or self interest ; a conduct incom- 

 patible with the principles that actuate me ; as well as with my conduct in life. 



"It is to vindicate my fame that I speak, and not to solicit security. 



"The person in your possession is Major John Andre, Adjutant General to 

 the British Army. 



" The influence of one commander in the army of his adversary is an advan- 

 tage taken in war. A correspondence for this purpose I held ; as confidential 

 (in the present instance) with his Excellency, Sir Henry Clinton. 



" To favor it, I agreed to meet upon ground not within the posts of either 

 army, a person who was to give me intelligence ; I came up in the Vulture 

 man-of-war for this effect, and was fetched by a boat from the ship to the beach. 

 Being there, I was told that the approach of day would prevent my return, and 

 that I must be concealed until the next night. I was in my regimentals, and 

 had fairly risked my person. 



"Against my stipulation, my intention, and without my knowledge before- 



