witness to a scene of treason as shocking as it was unexpected-General Arnold from every circumstance had entered

prevent the important consequences, which this conduct on the part of General Arnold was intended to produce. I do not know the party, that took Major André, but it is said that it consisted only of a few militia, who acted in such a manner, upon the occasion as does them the highest honor, and proves them to be men of great virtue. They were offered, I am informed, a large sum of money for his release, and as many goods as they would demand, but without any effect. Their conduct gives them a just claim to the thanks of their country, and I also hope they will be otherwise rewarded. As soon as I know their names, I shall take pleasure in transmitting them to Congress. I have taken such measures, with respect to the Gentlemen of General Arnold's family, as prudence dictated; but, from every thing that has hitherto come to my knowledge, I have the greatest reason to believe they are perfectly innocent. I early secured Joshua Smith, the person mentioned in the close of General Arnold's letter, and find him to have had a considerable share in this business. I have the honor to be, &c. ..."

The same day, Washington wrote to Rochambeau as follows:

"On my arrival here a very disagreeable scene unfolded itself. By lucky accident, a conspiracy of the most dangerous nature, the object of which was to sacrifice this post, has been detected. General Arnold, who has sullied his former glory by the blackest treason, has escaped to the enemy. This is an event that occasions me equal regret and mortification; but traitors are the growth of every country, and in a revolution of the present nature, it is more to be wondered at, that the catalogue is so small, than that there have been found a few. The situation of the army at this time will make General Heath's presence with us useful. I have written to him for this purpose. I hope his removal will be attended with no inconvenience to your Excellency."

INTERESTING LETTERS FROM MAJOR TALLMADGE CONCERNING THE CAPTURE AND EXECUTION OF MAJOR ANDRE.

The following correspondence between Josiah Quincy, Jared Sparks and Benjamin Tallmadge, taken from Tallmadge's manuscripts, throws a great deal of light upon the Andre-Arnold episode:

JOSIAH QUINCY TO TALLMADGE.

Cambridge, 12 Nov., 1833. Dear Sir, The accompanying letter has been transmitted to me by my friend Mr. Sparks, with a request that I would cooperate in ye request it contains. This I do most cordially and sincerely. I am sure you will readily aid ye labors of one who is throwing so much light upon the heroes and events of ye American Revolution-among the former of which you hold so high a rank, and to the glory of ye latter, to which you so largely contributed.

And now, my dear friend, let me recall to your recollection the many pleasant evenings passed in your society some twenty six or twenty seven years ago, when issuing from adjoining rooms, we alternately associated together and beguiled the weariness of Congressional apathy and vanity-you in telling, and I in hearing with delight of ye dangers, the sufferings and deeds of the times when, in comparison with our days, there were Giants in the land presiding its destinies. Remember what I then said to you, and which I now repeat. If you have kept a Journal of those times, if you do not choose to publish it during life, at least leave it in a state to do you justice after your decease. If you have kept none-set about at once recalling the faded reminiscences of your own hasards, of ye sloop of war you captured, of ye Fort on Long Island which you surprised, and for which Congress voted you a sword-which they had never the grace to give-of ye battle at Germantown, and ye many interviews you enjoyed with General Washington, when he used your fearless patriotism, as it was one of ye most faithful and active in the field, & on which he could rely as on the best-Heaven has spared your life and your memory-Why should you not put what remain to its best use, that of gratifying your friends, and being to yourself & your country true in your last days by your pen, as you were in your earlier by your sword? Very truly & respectfully Ye friend & obt. Sev.

To the Honbl. Benj'n Tallmadge, Litchfield, Connecticut.

Josiah Quincy

into a plot for sacrificing West Point. He had an interview

with Major Andre the British Adjutant General last Week at

SPARKS TO TALLMADGE.

Cambridge, Masstts. Nov. 12th, 1833. Sir, Being engaged in preparing Genl. Washington's writings for the press, I have been recently investigating the subject of Arnold's Treason. As you were personally acquainted with many particulars which occurred after the Capture of Andre, I am induced to take the liberty of writing to you this letter for a little more light on two or three points. You know it has been thought very extraordinary that Colo. Jameson with the papers in his hands, which were taken from Andre's boots, and which were in the handwriting of Arnold, should have sent intelligence of this fact to Arnold himself.

In a letter from Colo. Jameson to Washington, dated Sept. 27th, I find the following passage. "I am very sorry that I wrote to Genl. Arnold; I did not think of a British ship being up the River, and expected that if he was the man he has since turned out to be, that he would come down to the troops in this quarter, in which case I should have secured him. I mentioned my intention to Major Tallmadge and some other of the field officers, all of whom were clearly of the opinion that it would be right, until I could hear from your Excellency."

By this extract it appears that you were present at North Castle when Andre was brought in; and it would also seem that you were acquainted with Col. Jameson's reasons for the course he pursued. If you will explain to me these reasons in detail, & the facts connected with them, I shall be greatly obliged to you.

Again, the Letter written by Jameson, dated Sep. 23rd, did not reach Arnold till the 25th. Can you tell me what caused the delay?

I find by a copy of Jameson's letter to Arnold, and of another to Lieut. Allen, who was Andre's guard after he was sent from North Castle, that Andre was first ordered to Arnold's Head Quarters, but that the order was countermanded while Andre was on his way, & he was sent to Col. Heldon [Sheldon] at Old Salem. Do you recollect the reason why Col. Jameson altered his mind and countermanded the order for sending Andre immediately to Hd. Quarters?

I trust you will excuse the freedom I have taken in making these inquiries, and accept the assurances of the high respect & consideration of, Your Most Obt. St, Jared Sparks. Hon. Ben. Tallmadge.

TALLMADGE TO SPARKS.

Litchfield, Conn., Nov. 16th, 133.

Sir, Your favor of the 12th instant came to hand by the last Mail. I notice your request, & presume I cannot more effectually comply with it than by furnishing an abstract from my memoranda of some of the Events of the Revolutionary War, quorum pars fui. No Circumstances during that eventful period made a deeper Impression 02 my mind than those which related to Arnold, the Traitor, & Major Andre, the Sufferer. I proceed then to remark that the 2d Regt. of Light Dragoons, Commanded by Co Sheldon, was stationed in advance of the Army, near North Castle, & Col. Sheldon being absent, I think at Salem, Lt. Col. Jameson was the Commanding officer, and I was the Major. Early in the morning of the 23d of Sept., 1780, I marched with a large Detachment of Dragoons to reconnoitre the Country below the White Plains, down to East Chester, which was a sort of neutral Ground, from which Tour I did not returs until late in the Evening of the same day. Soon after I halted, & had disposed of my Detachment, I was informed that a prisoner had been bro't in that day, who called himself John Anderson. On inquiry, I found that three Men, by the names of John Pauld ing, David Williams & Isaac Van Wart, who had passed below our ordinary military Patrolls on the road from Tarry Town to Kingsbridge, had fallen in with this John Anderson on his way to New York. They took him aside for Examination, and dis covering sundry papers upon him, which he had concealed in his boots, they determined to detain him as a Prisoner. Notwithstanding Anderson's offers of pecuniary satisfa tion if they would permit him to proceed on his Course, they determined to bring h up to the Head Qrs. of our Regt, then on the advance Post of our Army, and near to

Jos. Smith's when the pian was concerted; by an extraordinary concurrence of incidents, Andre was taken on his return with

North Castle. This they effected in the forenoon of the 23rd of Sept., 1780, by delivering said Anderson to Lt. Col. Jameson of the 2nd Regt. Lt. Dragoons, who was then the Commanding Officer at said Post, Col. Sheldon being then at Old Salem, I believe under Arrest.

His Excellency Gen. Washington had made an appointment to meet the Count Rochambeau (who commanded the French Army then at Newport, R. I.) at Hartford, in Conn., about the 18th or 20th of September, and was on his return to the Army at the time of Anderson's capture. When I reached Lt. Col. Jameson's Qrs. late in the Evening of the 23d of Sept., and had learned the Circumstances relating to the Capture of s'd Anderson, I was much surprised to learn that he was sent on by Lt. Col. Jameson to Arnold's Head Qrs. at West Point, accompanied by a Letter of Information respecting his Capture. At the same time he despatched an Express with the papers found on John Anderson to meet Gen. Washington, then on his return to West Point.

I felt very much surprised at the Course which had been taken in this business, & did not fail to state the glaring Inconsistency of their Conduct to Lt. Col. Jameson in a private and most friendly manner. He appeared greatly agitated, more especially when I suggested to him a plan which I wished to pursue, offering to take the entire responsibility on myself, & which, as he deemed it too perilous to permit, I will not further disclose. Failing in this purpose, I instantly set about a plan to remand the Prisoner to our Qrs. again, which I finally effected, altho' with reluctance on the part of Lt. Col. Jameson. When the order was about to be despatched to the Officer to bring back the Prisoner, strange as it may seem, Lt. Col. J -n would persist in his purpose of sending his letter to Gen. Arnold-The Letter did go on, & was the first Information that Arch Traitor rec'd that his plot was blown up. The Officer returned with his Prisoner early the next morning. As soon as I saw Anderson, & especially after I saw him walk across the floor (which he did almost constantly), I became impressed with the belief that he had been bred to arms. I communicated my suspicion to Lt. Col. & requested him to notice his Gait, & especially when he turned on his heel to retrace his Course across the room. We soon concluded that the safest Course was to take the Prisoner to Salem to Col. Sheldon's Qrs, & I was appointed to take Charge of him. After we reached Salem, it was manifest that his Agitation & Anxiety greatly increased, & in the afternoon he asked to be furnished with pen, ink & paper, which were readily furnished, when he penned the Letter to Gen. Washington, dated “ Salem, 24th September, 1780," which is recorded in most of the Histories of that eventful period. In this Letter he disclosed his Character to be "Major John Andre, Adjutant Genl. to the British Army." When I had perused the Letter, which he handed to me to read, my Agitation was extreme, & my Emotions wholly indescribable.

The papers found in Major Andre's boots did not reach Gen'l Washington until he had arrived at West Point on the 25th, nor did Jameson's letter reach Arnold until the morning of that day, & that too after two of Gen'l Washington's Aids had reached his house. While they were taking breakfast the Letter was delivered to Arnold, who knowing that the Commander in Chief would soon be there, rose hastily from his table, & proceeded with all possible Dispatch down to his barge, & directed his Men to row him down the river, carrying a white flag in his hand, until they reached the Vulture Sloop of War, then lying in Tappan Bay, a little below Kings Ferry. This was the same Vessel that bro't up Major Andre from New York. Soon after Arnold's flight Gen'l W -n arrived, but the vile traitor had escaped.

I very soon rec'd an order to bring Andre on to West Point, under a strong escort of Cavalry; & the next day I proceeded down the Hudson to King's Ferry and landed at Haverstraw, where a large detachment of Dragoons had been sent from the main Army at Tappan, with which I escorted the Prisoner to Head Qrs.-After our arrival at Tappan, I reported the fact to Gen'l Washington, who ordered a Court-consisting of 14 Gen'l officers, to sit & hear the Case of Major Andre & report their opinion of his Case. On the 29th of Sept'r Gen'l Greene the President of the Court reported to the Commander in Chief that they had come to the Conclusion "that Major Andre, Adjutant Gen'l to the British Army, ought to be considered as a Spy from the Enemy, & that agreeably to the Law & usage of nations, it is their opinion he ought to suffer death." Without further Comment on the measures pursued by the Enemy to obtain his

several papers in Arnold's handwriting that proved the treason. The latter unluckily got notice of it before I did-went immedi

release, I will only remark that on the 2d of October he was executed. I walked with him to the place of execution, and parted with him under the gallows, entirely overwhelmed with Grief, that so gallant an officer, & so accomplished a Gentleman should come to such an ignominious End.

I have taken a large sheet to make it a single letter & hope these few particulars may answer your purpose. I must add a few lines to my much respected friend President Quincy, & am very truly Your most obedt. Servt.

Jared Sparks, Esqr.

TALLMADGE TO QUINCY.

Benj. Tallmadge.

Litchfield, Nov. 18th 1833.

My much valued & respected friend, I have been much gratified & delighted by the addition made by you to Mr. Sparks' Letter. I take the liberty to reply in the same way. The reminiscences of our byegone years when we endeavored to serve our Country. at Washington, sometimes serve to amuse & to beguile a long winter's Evening & often do I recollect our pleasant Interviews. But alas how changed is the present political Arena! I can hardly conceive of any inducement that could lead me again into public life. Adieu to it, forever.

I notice your remarks respecting the Events of my military life in the revolutionary War & have only to remark that to gratify my Children, I have noted by way of memoranda some occurrences which passed under my own Eye. The difficulty which most perplexed me, has been a natural tendency to run into history, which I wished to avoid. Again by confining the narrative to my own deeds & observations, Egotism seemed to be too prominent & that I despise. The few remarks furnished for Mr. Sparks (tho' somewhat abridged) will afford you a specimen. Adieu, my dear Quincy, & believe me with unwavering affection & great Respect, Your most obdt. Servt.

Josiah Quincy, [Cambridge, Mass.]

Benj. Tallmadge.

SPARKS TO TALLMADGE.

Cambridge, Feby. 6th, 1834. Dear Sir, I have had the pleasure to receive your very interesting letter, which you had the goodness to write in reply to my inquiries respecting Arnold's Treason. As I have obtained many original papers on that subject, both in the public offices in England, and in this country, especially the papers presenting the trials of Andre, & Joshua Smith, with full written testimonials of many persons taken down at the timesay as I have so many materials in my hands, I am about preparing a Life of Arnold giving a detailed account of his treason. I hope you will excuse me, therefore, for asking you many questions, which might otherwise seem insignificant or unnecessary I wish to be as accurate as possible in my statements, & at the same time to include every important or interesting circumstance. Will you have the kindness, therefore, to answer the following queries, according to your recollection?

1st. Did Andre request Jameson to send him to Arnold? Historians tell us that this act of Jameson was chiefly to be ascribed to the address & persuasion of Andre.

2d. If Jameson was not thus influenced, what arguments did he use to urge himself to this step? The thing is so strange, that it cannot be accounted for, by the facts, which have appeared.

3d. How did it happen, that Jameson's letter to Arnold, which was written on the 21 did not reach him till the 25th?

4th. Was Andre retained at Salem till' orders came from Washington to take him to West Point? or was he sent forward by Sheldon from that post?

5th. When Andre arrived at West Point or Robinson's House, did General Washingto see him, or converse with him? Did Washington ever see him after he left West Poin!! 6th. To what commanding officer did you deliver Andre at Tappan? Was he at any time put under the command of Wayne? or did Wayne command at the post when yea arrived with him at Tappan? I ask these questions, because it has been said, thai

ately down the river got on board the Vulture which brought up Andre and proceeded to New York.

Andre's prediction-about the "Warrior-drover Wayne," in The Cow Chace, was verified by his being put into the charge of Wayne at Tappan.

7th. Why was not Wayne on the court of Inquiry when Andre was examined? 8th. How was Andre dressed while you were with him? In what dress was he executed? It has been said that he was executed in his full regimentals. But he had left his coat at the House of Joshua Smith. Was this restored to him before his execution? 9th. Was he buried in the same dress in which he was executed? The British Consul, who took up his bones, has insinuated, that he was rifled of his regimentals after execution, & before his burial.

Now Sir, I shall be much obliged to you, if you will answer these questions in as much detail as your leisure & recollections will permit.

You need not fear being too prolix. Indeed I should be glad if you would pursue the narrative day by day, and state all the particulars, which you can remember, respecting your conversation with Andre his appearance and conduct-and particularly the manner in which he was escorted from Salem to Tappan. As you are the only man living who can give this information, I beg you will excuse my freedom, and accept the assurances of the high respect of your obliged & Most obt. Servt.

Hon. Ben. Tallmadge.

Jared Sparks

I have in my possession the original papers found in Andre's boots-and. Arnold's pass. You are aware perhaps, that I have all General Washington's papers, and am preparing a selection for publication. Two volumes are just now issuing from the press. There will be twelve in the whole.

Among Washington's papers is a large number of letters from you, written at different periods of the war.

TALLMADGE TO SPARKS.

Litchfield, Conn., Feby. 17th, 1834.

Dr Sir, I have before me your favor of the 6th inst. & will endeavour to answer your Queries, so full within my recollections after the lapse of more than half a Century.

I have already informed you, that on the day when the Captors of Major Andre bro't him up to our Regt. at North Castle (Septr. 23d 1780) I was out on Duty in advance of the Regt. below the White Plains & did not return with my Detachm' until the Even'g of that day. After I had disposed of my Troops and had spoken with Lt. Col. Jameson, he informed me of the Capture of John Anderson & that he had bro't up and delivered over to him by his Captors. When I inquired where the Prisoner was, he informed me that he had sent him on, under Guard to Gen'l Arnold at West Point. I expressed my astonishment at such a Course & immediately entered on a course of measures to frustrate what I considered so unjudicious a procedure. My first proposal was to give me leave of absence for official object which I fully explained to Col. Jameson & which for special reasons I have not disclosed, as no public benefit could result from it. Failing in this request my next plan was to remand the Prisoner, then probably 8 or 10 Miles on his way to West Point, which I did not accomplish until late in the Evening. After the Order was despatched for the officers & Guard to return with the Prisoner, I waited impatiently for the coming morning, when for the first time I saw the face of John Anderson.

What influenced Col. Jameson to send on Major Andre to Arnold, I cannot tell, not being present with him when he sent him off; but I well remember that he expressed great Confidence in him as I believe was the Case thro' the Army. Until the papers were found on Anderson, I had no suspicion of his lack of patriotism or political Integrity myself.

To your 3d enquiry, I remark that the non arrival of Col. Jameson's Letter at Arnold's Qrs. at an earlier period, is accounted for by the Countermarch of the Officer who had it in Charge with his Guard & Prisoner. I do not now recollect the distance from North Castle to West Point, but should think it was between 40 or 50 Miles.

4th. I do not perfectly remember whether I waited for an order from Gen. Washington to bring on Major Andre, or whether we judged it best to have him sent on, so as to