454 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



hand, I was conducted within one of your posts. Your excellency may con- 

 ceive my sensation on this occasion, and will imagine how much more must I 

 have been affected by a refusal to re-conduct me back the next night, as I had 

 beeu brought. Thus become a prisoner, I had to concert my escape. I quitted 

 my uniform, and was passed another way in the night, without the American 

 posts, to neutral ground, and informed I was beyond all armed parties, and left 

 to press to New York. I was taken at Tarrytown by some volunteers. 



" Thus, as I have had the honor to relate, was I betrayed (being Adjutant 

 General of the British army,) into the vile condition of an enemy in diguise with- 

 in your posts. 



" Having avowed myself a British officer. I have nothing to reveal but what 

 relates to myself, which is true on the honor of an officer and a gentleman. 



" The request I have to make to your excellency, and I am conscious I ad- 

 dress myself well, is, that in any rigor policy may dictate, a decency of con- 

 duct towards me may mark, that, though unfortunate, I am branded with noth- 

 ing dishonorable, as no motive could be mine but the service of my King, and 

 as I was involutarily an impostor. 



" Another request is, that I may be permitted to write an open letter to Sir. 

 Henry Clinton, and another to a friend for clothes and linen. 



"I take the liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen at Charleston, 

 who being either on parole or under protection, were engaged in a conspiracy 

 against us. Though their situation is not similar, they are objects who may be 

 set in exchange for me, or are persons whom the treatment I receive might 

 effect. 



' It is no less, sir, in confidence of the generosity of your mind, than on ac- 

 count of your superior station, that I have chosen to importune you with this 

 letter. I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your excellency's most 

 obedient and humble servant, "John Andre, Adjutant General." 



When he had finished this letter, he handed it open to Major Tallmadge, 

 who perused it with astonishment and strong emotion ; for, although he 

 believed the writer to be a military man, yet he had not supposed him a 

 person of such rank, nor dreamed of the dangerous plot in which he had 

 been acting a part. The letter was sealed, and sent to General Wash- 

 ington. From that moment Andre's mind seemed relieved. He be- 

 came cheerful, and his good humor, affable address, and attractive 

 powers of conversation, gained upon the hearts of the officers, and won 

 from them reciprocal kindness and civilities. a " As soon as General 

 Washington had ascertained the full extent of the treason, instantaneous 

 preparations were made for the defence of West Point, and " an order 

 dispatched to Col. Jameson, directing him to send Andre under a 

 strong guard to Robinson's house. The express arrived about midnight 

 at Lower Salem, and at that hour an officer came with the message to 

 Andre. He started up quickly from his bed and obeyed the summons. 



a Spark's Life of Arnold, p. 231, 235, 6, T, 8. 



