country between the outposts of the hostile armies. They suddenly seized the bridle of his horse, and challenged his business in that place. The surprise of the moment put him off his guard, and instead of shewing his pass, he hastily asked the men, "where do you belong?" they answered to below," meaning New York. The Major instantly replied, "so do I." He declared himself to be a British officer, and pressed for permission to proceed on the urgent business on which he was employed.

The mistake was soon apparent, and he offered the men a purse of gold and a valuable gold watch, for permission to pass; and on condition that they would accompany him to the city, he promised them present reward and future promotion. But the patriotism of these yeomen could not be bribed.

They proceeded to search André, and found secreted in his boots, in the hand writing of Arnold, exact returns of the state of the forces, ordnance and defences of West Point, with critical remarks on the works, and other important papers. They conducted their prisoner to Lieutenant Colonel Jameson, who commanded the troops on the lines. Their names were John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Vert. Congress eventually settled on each of them an annual pension of two hundred dollars during life; and presented each with a silver medal, on one side of which was a shield with the inscription Fidelity;" and on the other the motto "Amor Patriæ."

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André still passed as John Anderson, and requested permission to write to General Arnold to inform him that Anderson was detained. The Colonel thoughtlessly permitted the letter to be sent. Colonel Jameson forwarded to General Washington the papers found on the prisoner, and a statement of the manner in which he was taken. The General was then on his return from Hartford, and the express unfortunately took a road different from that on which he was travelling, and passed him. This occasioned so great loss of time, that Arnold having received André's letter, made his escape on board the Vulture, before the order for his arrest arrived at West Point.

As soon as André thought that time had been given for Arnold to make his escape, he flung off the disguise which was abhorrent to his nature, and assumed his appropriate character of ingenuousness and honour. The express which conveyed the intelligence of his capture, was charged with a letter from him to General Washington, in which he declared his name and rank, stated that he had, by order of his Sir Henry Clinton, corresponded with Arnold, that his intention was to have met on neutral ground, and that against his stipulation he had been brought within an American post. Attempting to make his escape from it he had been betrayed into the vile condition of an enemy in disguise, and he requested that, "whatever his fate might be, a decency of treatment might be observed, which would mark, that though unfortunate he was branded with no

thing that was dishonourable, and that he was involuntarily an impostor. The decorous and manly deportment of André greatly interested in his favour the American army and nation. He was endowed with properties to conciliate general esteem. His character is thus beautifully painted by the late General Hamilton, who without envy might have contemplated his eminent qualities, for they were not equal to his own. "There was something singularly interesting in the character of André. To an excellent understanding, well improved by education and travel, he united a peculiar elegance of mind and manners, and the advantages of a pleasing person. It is said that he possessed a pretty taste for the fine arts, and had himself attained some proficiency in poetry, music and painting. His knowledge appeared without ostentation, and embellished by a diffidence that rarely accompanies so many talents and accomplishments, which left you to suppose more than appeared. His sentiments were elevated and inspired esteem, they had a softness that conciliated affection. His elocution was handsome, his address easy, polite and insinuating. By his merit he had acquired the unlimited confidence of his general, and was making rapid progress in military rank and reputation. But in the height of his career, flushed with new hopes from the execution of a project the most beneficial to his party that could be devised, he is at once precipitated from the summit of prosperity, sees all the expectations of his ambition blasted, and himself ruined. The character I have given of him is drawn

partly from what I saw of him myself, and partly from information. I am aware that a man of real merit is never seen in so favourable a light as through the medium of adversity. The clouds that surround him are so many shades that set off his good qualities. Misfortune cuts down little vanities, that in prosperous times serve as so many spots in his virtues; and gives a tone to humanity that makes his worth more amiable.

"His spectators, who enjoy a happier lot, are less prone to detract from it through envy; and are much disposed by compassion to give the credit he deserves, and perhaps even to magnify it."

General Washington referred the case of Major André to a board of fourteen general officers. Of this board General Green was President, and the foreign generals La Fayette and Steuben were members. They were to determine in what character he was to be considered, and what punishment ought to be inflicted. This board treated their prisoner with the utmost delicacy and tenderness. They desired him to answer no question that embarrassed his feelings. But, concerned only for his honour, he frankly confessed that he did not come on shore under the sanction of a flag, and stated so fully all facts respecting himself, that it became unnecessary to examine a single witness; but he cautiously guarded against communications that would involve the guilt of others.

The board reported the important facts in the case, and gave it as their opinion that André was a Spy, and that agreeably to the laws and usages

of nations, he ought to suffer death. His execution took place next day.

André was reconciled to death, but not to the mode of dying, which the laws of war had assigned to persons in his situation. He wished to die as a soldier, not as a criminal. In language, that proved him possessed of the nicest feelings of heroism and honour, he wrote to General Washington, soliciting that he might not die on a gibbet: But the stern maxims of justice forbade a compliance with the request, although the sensibility of the General was wounded by a refusal.

He

Major André walked with composure to the place of execution between two American officers. When he beheld the instrument of his fate, he asked with some emotion, " must I die in this manner?" "It is unavoidable," was the answer. replied, I am reconciled to my fate, but not to the mode;" but immediately added, "it will be but a momentary pang." With a countenance of serenity and magnanimity that melted the heart of every spectator, he mounted the cart. Being asked at the fatal moment if he wished to say any thing; only that" you will witness to the world, that I die like a brave man."

Never, perhaps, did an execution of this kind more deeply interest the finer feelings of human nature. The General officers, who reported his case, lamented the necessity they were under to advise that as a spy he should be hung, and the heart of General Washington was wrung with anguish when he signed his death warrant. But the fatal wound that would have been inflicted on