Chapter V: Part 5

Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Townsend and Major Lawrence be
requested and authorized to attend the regiment commanded
by Colo. Smith, in order to supply the said regiment with
provisions, and to devise the most safe and expeditious means
of transporting the said regiment from Long island; and that
they be authorized and impowered to impress horses, wagons,
boats, vessels, &c. for that purpose, for the payment of which,
and every other necessary expense, this Committee pledge the
public faith.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of this State pay to Mr. Samuel
Townsend and Major Lawrence the sum of one hundred pounds, to
be by them accounted for to the Convention of this State. [p.
601]

James Townsend, uncle of Robert Townsend, who with John Sloss Hobart attempted to make a stand at Huntington, addressed a letter from there to the Provincial Congress on August 30th, which in part reads:

“_Gentlemen_--To our unspeakable mortification, we found when
we arrived in Queens county, that the militia had dispersed,
and General Woodhull had fallen into the hands of the enemy. We
then proceeded with all despatch to this town as the only place
where we could have any prospect of making an effectual stand,
as the enemy were in full possession of the western parts of
that county as far as Jamaica, and the disaffected from the
east were gone in to them. Though we were not authorized for
the purpose by Convention, we have taken upon ourselves to
order out the militia of the county to rendezvous here, and
have wrote to Col. Mulford at East Hampton, to come up and take
the command, as he is now the senior officer in the brigade....
We shall direct the commissary to furnish the militia with
provisions....”

Only a few more days on Long Island remained for the faithful followers of Washington and the army. On September 16th, a lone individual passed the spot where Townsend and Hobart had attempted to make a stand only seventeen days before. It was Nathan Hale on his way to a glorified martyrdom.

FOOTNOTES to “TOWNSEND’S PERSONALITY”:

[25] There is but a single recorded instance when Samuel was treated roughly by the British. It was written for posterity in 1876 by Solomon Townsend, his grandson, who was a nephew of Robert Townsend, and is as follows:

“I am induced to pen these lines that the record of the arrest of Saml. Townsend may be transmitted to another centennial as faithfully as is possible under the light of the testimony of those who were eye witnesses of the scene--and from whose lips the narrator heard it.

“On a bright September afternoon in the year 1776, a troop of horse whose helmets were just before seen reflected in the sun’s rays as they galloped down South Street wheeled up in front of the house of Jacob Townsend--whose daughter Thomas Buchanan had wedded--and enquired for Saml. Townsend. They were directed to the next house, upon the piazza of which that gentleman was seated.

“He had been 30 years a Magistrate, and then a Member of the Colonial Assembly and was then one of the Provincial Congress, Committee of Safety, and of the Convention that was deliberating upon the first Constitution of this State--that of 1777--wherein the mind of John Jay, and other distinguished Statesmen, was said to have outlined the Constitution of the United States as inaugurated at Philadelphia a dozen years later.

“The subaltern in command--asked whether ‘Sam’ Townsend was home and the reply being ‘I am the man,’ with great discourtesy--accompanied with an oath, directed him to get himself ready to accompany them to the Provost (the Prison Ships, &c.) at New York. Mr. T. hoped they would wait till he had time to send a servant to an outlot for a saddle horse, a request that was rudely yielded with another blasphemous expression.

“During this brief delay--the young upstart strutted over the Hall, taking from one of the mantels a fowling piece and shattering it, denying the right of a rebel to have in possession even such a weapon. In the parlor the Portrait of Capt. Solomon Townsend--taken in Portugal in 1772--when in command of one of Mr. Buchanan’s ships--the Glasgow--attracted the young martinet’s attention, and he expressed his regret that it was not in his power to wreak the vengeance of his superiors upon him also.

“Whilst these scenes were enacting within doors, and Mr. Townsend’s wife and his young daughters--Sarah and Phebe, were almost frantic at the rudeness exhibited towards the venerated husband and parent--the neighbors collected in front and when the agony of the family was witnessed, their sympathy even to tears was excited, Tories as most of them were in their political affiliations. My authority--outside the family for this incident (Miss Elizabeth Wooden, deceased some 20 years), and whose family took the Tory side--said that altho’ among the crowd of neighbors were some of the instigators of the arrest--they claimed that Mr. Townsend was not regarding his pledged word to remain neutral--when they witnessed their really loved and respected neighbor torn from his family under such painful circumstances, openly regretted that their political animosity had contributed to produce so sad a scene.

“Provided with only a change of clothing, Mr. T. was soon taken by the Troop on their way to the superior officer whose quarters were then in the vicinity of Jericho. On ascending the hill at the southern terminus of ‘Pine-hollow’--then and long afterwards known as the ‘Great Hill,’ Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan in their Phaeton and Miss Audrey, Mr. Townsend’s eldest daughter met them--Mr. Buchanan at once enquired into the surprising circumstances, and taking the saddle horse of Miss Townsend--sent the ladies home, whilst he accompanied the cavalcade on the route. Arrived at the quarters of the superior officer he became responsible to the extent of several thousand pounds, that the prisoners should be produced upon a notice of six hours.

“The two gentlemen then returned to their homes reaching the village at a late hour of the evening and thus allaying the alarm and distress of their families.

“To illustrate how even the gentler members of the family were made to feel the rudeness, or as Colonel Simcoe afterwards wrote in his Valentine to one of them, ‘the Iron Spear of War,’ when the Troopers noticed that Miss Townsend rode a fine animal--they insultingly enquired of her how she dared to appear thus, without the Tory badge or escutcheon upon its ear--she replied, she preferred riding her own petted filly as it was.

“The kindness of Mr. Buchanan was returned to him by the continuance of business prosperity, and finally when a boat lay at the foot of Wall St. with all his moveable worldly goods ready to take his family to Nova Scotia--and the property of those of his own political associates was being daily confiscated or attached by the New York Legislature, then in session at the head of Wall St., none rose to move the seizure of that of the noble hearted merchant, Thomas Buchanan, Tory, as he might be called.”

[26] After the date below Samuel Townsend carried an Oath of Allegiance, in form as follows:

_Certificate from Judge Hicks_

This is to certify that Samuel Townsend hath submitted to government and taken the oath of allegiance to his Majesty King George this 10th Sept. 1776 before me.

WHITEHEAD HICKS,
One of the Judges of the Supr. Court.

[27]

NEW YORK, July 12, 1776.

_Gentlemen_:--We have conferred with the General concerning the removal of stock back again to the pastures from whence they were driven; he was much chagrinned at the proposal and absolutely refused to consent, mentioning the unhappy consequences of not seasonably removing the stock from Staten Island. He is of opinion that all means should be used with the utmost expedition to remove the stock from Long Island, for which he promises to give all necessary assistance. We are of the same opinion, and hope your House will not lose a moment in giving peremptory orders concerning a matter of such vast importance. We are just informed by General Putnam, that one of Lord Howe’s fleet arrived yesterday: the utmost dispatch is necessary. We need use no arguments: the affairs at Staten Island being fresh in your minds. We are gentlemen, your humble servants,

ABRM. KETALTAS,
SAML. TOWNSEND,
JOHN BROOM.

SPIES AND SPIES

As Culper Junior, the spy, the most trying period in the career of Robert Townsend was now approaching. British officers had been quartered at his parents’ home at Oyster Bay for the past four years. His sisters made life agreeable for all,[28] and saved their none too complacent parent from the wrath of many a would-be enemy. Hannah, his first cousin and neighbor, had already married Major Joseph Green, of the British Army. His sister Sarah had received from Colonel Simcoe a Valentine and other tokens of esteem.[29] Sir William Erskine had been entertained at Simcoe’s headquarters in their home, and Major André had upon several occasions visited Colonel Simcoe there and was treated almost as one of the family. Sarah had frequently furnished her brother with important information, but now she must have sensed that something unusual was about to happen. Inquiries were being made about the shores of the Hudson in the vicinity of West Point, and, thinking himself unobserved, a supposed Whig from that section had entered the house and concealed in a little-used cupboard a letter. Sarah examined it as soon as he had slipped out. It seemed to be only a business letter addressed to James Anderson, but she determined to watch its fate. Later Major André entered the room. He searched through the closets and when he came to the letter hastily concealed it upon his person without examining it, and, taking a dish of doughnuts that were still hot from the fire, he hid them as an excuse for entering the forbidden precincts of the kitchen. Later, Sarah, by listening to a whispered conversation in Colonel Simcoe’s room,[30] could distinguish the words West Point, repeated several times.

A note to her brother Robert was hastily written. Captain Daniel Youngs, of the British Army, a lifelong friend, was sent for. He was told they were out of a certain kind of tea she would need for her party the following evening. It was to be had at her brother’s store in New York and a messenger must be sent for it at once. Always accommodating, even though he had to wait nearly three years before he received on April 1, 1783, £200, and July 16, £200, in all over $1000 in hard money for his services, a horse and rider was furnished and before night closed, Robert Townsend was in possession of his sister’s information. It was on its way to Setauket the next morning,[31] crossed the Sound between midnight and daylight, and soon Benjamin Tallmadge had the puzzling message. He had been impatiently waiting for it, having returned from special service for the purpose of keeping an engagement with Brewster.

In the absence of Major Tallmadge others had opened a letter addressed to him from Benedict Arnold. It accompanied supplies they were sadly in need of, the receipt of which made them feel under particular obligation to him. Tallmadge’s anxiety for the messengers who were crossing the Sound gave him little opportunity to examine Arnold’s letter and he had almost forgotten about it when Brewster and his companions arrived. It seemed so probable that the stain letters contained vital information that Tallmadge fortunately decided to translate them as he had the preceding ones. In them he read that British officers at Oyster Bay were talking about West Point, and had received under suspicious circumstances a letter from there addressed to Mr. John Anderson.

Major Tallmadge was still working on a mysterious series of letters that was passing between Rhode Island and DeLancey in New York. General Washington had written saying “I applaud your zeal and attention” and added “I am sufficiently apprized of the circumstances to prevent his doing any injury.... Keep the matter to yourself as far as practicable.”

* * * * *

Until Major Tallmadge found an opportunity to read General Arnold’s letter there was little significance in the intelligence from Culper Junior that British officers were talking about West Point and receiving letters addressed to a Mr. Anderson, but when he read the paragraph in the letter from our General at West Point

“If Mr. James Anderson,[32] a person I expect from New York
should come to your quarters, I have to request that you will
give him an escort of two Horse to bring him on his way to
this place, and send an express to me that I may meet him.
If your business will permit I wish you to come with him. B.
ARNOLD.”[33]

the suspicious circumstances at once impressed him. However, perhaps because of General Washington’s advice he betrayed no hint of this in his reply to Arnold. In fact he agreed to conduct Mr. Anderson to West Point. Had he later insisted upon Jameson permitting him to do so Arnold might have been captured as well as André. Extracts from Major Tallmadge’s letter to Arnold read:

LOWER SALEM, Septr. 21, 1780.

_Sir._ I had the Honor last evening to receive your favor of
the 13th inst. It arrived here in due season, and as I was
absent on Command by special Directions of His Excellency Genl.
Washington, the letter was opened and the instructions therein
contained I trust have been duly attended to.... I expect to
join Col. Jameson immediately, and should Mr. Anderson come
to my Qrs. I will do the needful, and shall be very happy to
wait on him to Hd.Qrs.... I have also just received an accurate
return of the Enemy, so far as respects their Corps and the
Posts they occupy. If you have not the present distribution
of the Enemies forces, I can give it to you from the best
authority, and taken on the spot. The Express is now waiting.
I have no time to add, save that I am, with Every Sentiment of
Esteem, Sir, your most Obedt. Servt.

BENJ. TALLMADGE.

Major Tallmadge was on tour, endeavoring to discover the intentions of the enemy when Paulding and his companions brought a man to Headquarters they declared to be a spy. John Jameson, of the Second Regiment, Light Dragoons, was commanding officer at that time, and promptly dispatched the prisoner under guard to Benedict Arnold at West Point. He was well on his way when Major Tallmadge returned that evening, but, learning that the prisoner’s name was Anderson and that he had information from West Point, he insisted upon Jameson ordering his return. Reluctantly he consented, but would not recall the messenger that was carrying the information to Arnold.[34] That “John Anderson” acknowledged his real name to be Major André, Adjutant-General to the British Army, and that on the 2d of October, 1780, he was hanged as a spy, are facts well known to all. Major Tallmadge’s comment in his “Memoirs” is:

“I might enlarge greatly in anecdotes relating to this
momentous event in our revolutionary war. Some things relating
to the detention of André, after he had been sent to General
Arnold, are purposely omitted.... I have deliberately concluded
never to disclose the circumstances which relate to that
interesting event.”

General Greene, in announcing the discovery of Arnold’s treason[35] on September 24, 1780, stated:

“The Providential Train of Circumstances which led to it
affords the most convincing Proofs that the Liberties of
America are the Object of Divine Protection.”

FOOTNOTES to “SPIES AND SPIES”:

[28] About ninety years ago a remarkable letter was written by a prominent member of the Townsend family, then residing in Albany. It was addressed to another member of the family and was not to be made public. The writer had journeyed to Oyster Bay to interview Mrs. Elizabeth Titus, who had seen Washington three times and knew every member of the Townsend family. There had been two attempts made to destroy this letter, before it reached the Long Island Collection, by parties who did not know its value. Once it had actually been thrown into the fire, but other letters surrounded it so compactly that it would not burn. A rag-picker put the package in his bag and later disposed of those letters that were not scorched. It overthrows some family traditions, but helps to confirm the Culper documents. Extracts from it follow:

“Our conversation opened by reference to your resemblance to our ancestor Samuel, and by an easy transition fell upon the loves of our excellent aunts of Oyster Bay. Sarah Thorne has stated that Aunt Sarah was the magnet which attracted Winzingeroda. Mrs. Titus thinks this cannot be. Aunt Sarah she says, was beloved by every one, a polite way, you know, of insinuating that no one took her in the full meaning of the word. She thinks too that not Winzingeroda but a brother lieutenant, Ocksie, was the great admirer of Aunt Phebe; he wrote a piece of verse, it appears, on the loss of a bow of ribbon from her shoe.

“These gentlemen belonged to the corps of Yagers, which esteemed itself above the Hessians. Lewis deWurmb was the Colonel and commanded the Island. Mrs. Titus remembers seeing him frequently at her father-in-law’s at Westbury--She recollects a couple of officers besides lieutenants like the pair above--one of the name of Schoeffer, the other’s name was pronounced like our Shaker. Wurmb and all his officers were men popular with the islanders for their unassuming and courteous demeanour towards them. On the contrary, Simcoe and his Rangers, a corps composed of recreant Americans, were universally detested, especially the chief. The British troops were of course in great part withdrawn from the Island in summer to enter into active field operations. In winter Flushing used to overflow with troops--It was customary to detail daily a number to Bayside and the neighborhood, generally rejoining their respective corps at night in the village from fear of the whalers. Mrs. Titus remembers the 17th Light Horse, thirty or forty of whom would often come down to her father’s, turn their horses into his meadows, and invade and occupy the kitchen without saying a word. Once Joseph Lawrence presumed to remonstrate against their digging potatoes, and was peremptorily arrested and sent to learn better manners towards British Troops in Judge Hicks bars. Commonly the officers were polite, and it was by no means unusual for them to be invited to partake of the family dinner.

“The ‘Friends to the country’ were few--Joseph Lawrence and others of his name and family on the neck--the Townsends of Oyster Bay--Samuel and Dr. James particularly--and the Onderdonks at Hempstead or the Harbour. Whenever they used to hear of the escapes of their country men on the main they contrived to gather in each other’s houses, and find in their joy and mutual congratulations at such auspicious news some consolation for the hardships and the suspense they had to endure on account of their insulated position.

“Mrs. Titus remembers seeing Washington at three distinct periods. When he came through New York on his way to take command of the army. He landed at the Battery, and stepping into a sulky drove through ‘the fields,’ escorted by a few horse. Mrs. T. went with her father to the top of Beekman street to see him. He was dressed in a plain suit of drab. Her next sight of him was obtained in the same city a few days after the British troops evacuated the place. Her third and last she enjoyed at the time of the inauguration.”

[29] Before the first local history was printed J. Fenimore Cooper helped to immortalize in fiction, Sarah and her Valentine, in the closing chapter of _The Spy_.(142)

[30] This was not Major André’s first whispered conversation during which West Point was mentioned. Before he left “the Brown House” in East Hampton in August, where General Clinton had summoned him for a conference with Colonel Simcoe, during an animated conversation the fort was frequently mentioned. Servants in the house were listening and heard André say that “if he must go he would, but he did not expect ever to return.” A record of this conversation has been preserved in an unusual manner. Dr. Samuel Buell who was minister in East Hampton during the Revolutionary War obtained a pamphlet “Proceedings of a Board of General Officers ... respecting Major John André,” printed in 1780. At Buell’s death it was given to his grandson, John Lyon Gardiner, who perused it with great interest, for his recollections of André were vivid, having frequently seen him in Colonel Abraham Gardiner’s home. On bits of paper he began recording anecdotes and on the reverse of title of this pamphlet of “Proceedings” which was a blank page, in his own unmistakable handwriting he has left this remarkable statement. See page 115. A few whispered words to Major Davis and Mary Gardiner, wife of Colonel Abraham Gardiner, might have shared with Sarah Townsend in rescuing West Point and saving the American army.

[31] One of General Washington’s horses was kept in New York City at this time, for the purpose of speeding these messages. The General paid for its feed out of a secret fund, but kept receipts, which are still preserved. This is probably the first mention of the fact.

[32] Mr. James Anderson. _James_ for _John_ is not a typographical error. Although perhaps until now it has never been noticed, nevertheless it is so in the original in the Library of Congress.

[33] Washington Papers, Library of Congress, No. 20155, September 13, 1780.

[34] There would have been no harm in the messages reaching Arnold had he not been implicated. Recall of the messenger would clearly indicate that Arnold was suspected. Major Tallmadge had sufficient intelligence to convict him, but he did not choose to betray the confidence of the Culpers by producing it.

[35] Orderly Book, September 24, 1780. Original in the Adjutant-General’s Office, War Department, Washington, D.C.

JOHN ANDRÉ AND ARNOLD’S TREASON PLOT

Had the treason of Benedict Arnold been less carefully planned there might be more excuse for his conduct. Certainly at the moment many conspired to convince him that the time was approaching when it would become necessary to make peace with the mother country. The best spies of the enemy were falling into the hands of our Colonel Sheldon’s men or visiting General Parsons, and all were forwarded to Arnold, where they were able to accomplish the work they were employed to do, which was to prejudice him against his country. Letters such as Parsons’ of September 5th, in which he says “the wretches who have crept into Congress are almost below contempt: our country will never prosper in their hands and they will starve us in the midst of plenty: to deny the very obvious justice and to insult us when we require it, is left only for Politicians of the New World.” Such, and there were others reached him besides Parsons’, must have induced him to believe that self government would not succeed. But while these may have encouraged his treason they are not sufficient to excuse it. Every detail of his plot was planned with cunning. His attempt to locate all the spies is an example. The historian Marshall says he received from Lafayette the information that Arnold endeavored to procure from General Washington the names of his secret emissaries in New York, otherwise known as the Culpers. Dunlap[36] says: “An incident which the gallant and honest Lafayette tells us, marks the character of Arnold more distinctly than ever the dénouement of his diabolical plot. Before leaving the army for West Point, he went to the marquis, and mentioning his knowledge that the noble Frenchman had spies in New York, employed at his own expense, he asked their names and addresses; suggesting that their intelligence might reach him more certainly and expeditiously by the way of West Point, and suggesting that if he was in possession of their names, he might facilitate the intercourse. The gallant and ever honorable Lafayette escaped the snare laid by the arch traitor, merely through his honest and upright sense of duty--replying that those individuals had confided in him, and he could not divulge their secret to any person whatever.”

* * * * *

With our General Howe he had better success. In his letter from Robinson’s House, August 5th, he says:

“As the safety of this Post and garrison in a great measure
depends on having good intelligence of the movements and
designs of the enemy, and as you have been fortunate in the
agents you have employed for that purpose, I must request,
with their permission, to be informed who they are, as I wish
to employ them, for the same purpose. I will engage upon them
to make no discovery of them to any person breathing. Your
complyance will oblige Dear Sir, Your affectionate and obed.
Hbl. Servt.

“B. ARNOLD.”

The reply of Robert Howe on August 14th, was:

“The two most intelligent and confidential I got to undertake
with difficulty, and they did it with the greatest reluctance
and not without my pledging in the most solemn manner my honor
not to inform any person upon earth of their names, or of
their acting in the capacity of emisarys, they are persons of
character and property, who cannot without utter ruin get out
of the enemy’s power, and yet devoted to America, have agreed
to serve in a way they do not like, but which is the only way
they can at present serve her in. I have written to them and
urged them to let me give their address to you, but having
suggested to them long since how it would benefit service if
I should be removed to South Carolina if they would suffer
me to inform some general officers of them, they in the most
positive terms refused; and it is not without great persuasion
and difficulty that they are prevailed upon to continue their
acting even for me; this makes me fear they will not consent to
it tho I sincerely wish they may. I cannot indeed blame this
caution, as their life and the ruin of their families must be
the certain consequence should any accident happen to them. I
have a tolerable agent who acts by way of Long Island and has
been very faithful, intelligent and useful to me; he too has
property. I have written to him also pressing him to disclose
himself to you and have his answer: he says that he will give
you information of every circumstance which relates to your
post or to any part under your command, that he will task
himself to give every information of the enemy’s intentions,
and will faithfully report to you every movement which relates
to you; he will correspond with you under the name of John
Williams, and has made me pledge my honor that you will not
endeavour by any means to learn his real name and if by
accident you find it out that you never disclose it; this sir
I have pledged myself for your assurance of. He will mark the
letters Private, and you must injoin your family not to open
any letters so marked.

“ROBERT HOWE.”

In Arnold’s reply on the 16th he says:

“You lay me under infinite obligations to you, by interesting
yourself so greatly in matters of such important concern to
myself and my command.... You have my honor that I will not
be solicitous about the real name of Mr. Williams and you may
pledge my faith to him that if accident should disclose his
real name to me, I will not discover it. I will take proper
precautions that no gentlemen of my family open any letters
addressed to me as Private.”

The most notorious spy during the War of the Revolution was unquestionably Major John André, of the British Army. So much depended upon the success or failure of his undertaking that every move he made is interesting. The part the spies of Washington played in holding him when he had almost succeeded in following the traitor Arnold to freedom, is excuse for the detail that follows:

When André’s fate was known he had a host of sympathizers but there were never many in this country whom he could call his friends. There was one notable exception. In John Graves Simcoe at Oyster Bay, Long Island, he had a faithful friend as well as an admirer. Simcoe, born in England in 1752, was sent to Eton at the age of fourteen. Thence he removed to Merton College, Oxford, where his classical education was completed. At the age of 19 he obtained a commission as ensign in the 35th Regiment, and after three years service he came to America. He landed in Boston on June 17th, 1775, the day of the Battle of Bunker Hill; soon purchased command of a company in the 40th Regiment and for distinguished service was made second in command of the Queen’s Rangers. This regiment originated in Connecticut with Colonel Rogers at its head (the same Rogers who made the Rock or Slide in Lake George famous) and was then known as Rogers’ Rangers. Under Colonel Simcoe it was composed of American Loyalists including a number of gentlemen of Virginia. To these he added a company of Highlanders and a company of Irish until it numbered 550. It was one of the most efficient and active corps in the service. Whenever possible their headquarters were at Oyster Bay. After the war he became a member of Parliament and on the division of the Canadas in 1791, he was appointed the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, where he served with great distinction.[37] During the war, when his headquarters were in the Townsend House at Oyster Bay the New York papers and London magazines contained much favorable publicity for him and his Rangers. There is reason to believe that many of these articles were either handed to or written by Culper Junior.

Colonel Simcoe was the first, aside from General Clinton, to know of Major André’s plotting. The twenty-third of August, 1780, found him back in his old quarters at Oyster Bay, after more than a month’s absence, on the east end of Long Island. He had seen much of Major André during that month and they had become warm friends, trusting each other with their confidences. Simcoe through him was able to “communicate his wishes and hopes to the commander in chief,” and André never failed to advise Simcoe of the progress of his coveted honors. “I am Deputy Adjutant General still and without confirmation of rank. I do not, however, despair of its being granted me” he writes on July 5th. The next day, from Flushing, L. I., he found another occasion to address Colonel Simcoe. Simcoe upon his return to Oyster Bay outlined a plan he wished André to submit to General Clinton and under date of August 29th, André reported as follows:

“_Dear Simcoe_--I laid before the General your proposed
arrangement for giving officers to the troops & which he
entirely approves of.... You are to draw a pay of Lt. Colonel
of Cavalry.... I will speak today about your Cavalry joining
you which I forgot to mention yesterday.... JOHN ANDRÉ, Adjt.
Gen.”

In this way, Simcoe says, “Sir Henry Clinton had been pleased to intrust him with knowledge of the important negotiation which terminated so unfortunately in the death of Major André, and at the same time he informed him on what service he should eventually employ him if it took effect, and directed him to obtain as minute a knowledge as he could of the country, where future operations were likely to be carried on.”

It appears that Benedict Arnold’s negotiations began about the time of his marriage to Margaret Shippen,[38] which occurred in April, 1779. He confided in Beverly Robinson that he was ready to return to the king’s service if a sufficiently interesting arrangement could be made. This information was conveyed to Sir Henry Clinton who saw in it great possibilities. Arnold was encouraged to open negotiations and André was to carry them to a successful conclusion. Matters were progressing slowly when, less than a week after André had written from Flushing, there came to him a letter entirely in the secret cipher used by Sir Henry Clinton. To André at that time the use of their code by an American General may have been a mystery, but it is now easily explained. Moody, a clever British spy, managed to fall into the hands of Arnold and helped him prepare the letter. He was in duress at West Point when Arnold took command and it is recorded that his condition excited the general’s attention. This letter is addressed to John Anderson (Major André) and advises the British commander that John Moore (Benedict Arnold) has accepted the command at West Point and will betray it. In full the letter follows:

(Original in the William L. Clements Library,
by whose permission it is used.)

“John Moore” [Benedict Arnold] writes to “John Anderson” [Major André] advising the British Commander that he [Arnold] has accepted the command at West Point and will betray it.

_See page 126._
]

“I wrote to Capt. B---- on the 7th of June, that a F----fleet
and army were expected to act in conjunction with the A----
army. At the same time I gave Mr. S---- a manifesto intended to
be pubished in C----a, and have from time to time communicated
to him such intelligence as I thought interesting, which he
assures me he has transmitted to you. I have received no
answer to my letter, or any verbal message--I expect soon
to command at W. Pt. and most seriously wish an interview
with some intelligent officers in whom a mutual confidence
could be placed. The necessity is evident to arrange and to
cooperate.--An officer might be taken prisoner near that Post
and permitted to return on parole, or some officer on Parole
sent out to effect an exchange.

“General W---- expects on the arrival of the F----Troops
to collect 30,000 Troops to act in conjunction; if not
disappointed, N. York is fixed on as the first object; if his
numbers are not sufficient for that object, Can-a- is the
second; of which I can inform you in time, as well as of every
other design. I have accepted the command at W. P. as a Post
in which I can render the most essential services, and which
will be in my disposal. The mass of the people are heartily
tired of the war, and wish to be on their former footing.
They are promised great events from this year’s exertion.
If--disappointed--you have only to persevere and the contest
will soon be at an end. The present struggles are like the
pangs of a dying man, violent but of a short duration.

“As life and fortune are risked by serving His Majesty, it
is necessary that the latter shall be secured as well as the
emoluments I give up, and a compensation for services agreed
on, and a sum advanced for that purpose--which I have mentioned
in a letter which accompanies this, which Sir Henry will not, I
believe, think unreasonable. I am, Sir,

“Your hble Servt.
J MOORE.”

“July 12th, 1780 “Mr. Jn. Anderson

“P.S. I have great confidence in the Bearer, but beg Sir Henry
will threaten him with his resentment in case he abuses the
confidence placed in him, which will bring certain ruin on me.
The Bearer will bring me 200 guineas, and pay the remainder to
Capt. A---- who is requested to receive the deposit for Mr.
Moore.”

Moody was still at West Point when another now famous British spy arrived. He came with a letter of introduction from General Samuel H. Parsons, which enabled him to dine at Arnold’s table and sleep in his Headquarters. General Parsons foolishly wrote from Reading, August 28th, 1780, saying: “Mr. Heron is a neighbor of mine for whose integrity and firm attachment to the cause of the Country I will hold myself answerable.... I am certain he will conduct with strict honor every matter he undertakes.” To the Secret Service of General Washington William Heron was known as Hiram the British Spy.

From Arnold’s correspondence it would seem that at this particular time he was looking for some one besides his wife in whom he could confide his treasonable designs. His letters to Parsons became frequent. Elisha Sheldon’s letter in which he complains of the assignment General Washington had given him[39] may have given Arnold a reason to believe he could depend upon him, for Sheldon closed by saying: “The friendly acquaintance which I have been honoured with General Arnold, and his well known military character, will make me peculiarly happy in receiving any orders from him, which shall be implicitly obeyed.” Arnold the next day replied saying: “I am happy to have an officer on the lines in which I can place the greatest confidence.”

From Sheldon two spies from New York were sent to Arnold on August 14th, and another on the 19th.

Early in September he received a barrel of rum with Arnold’s compliments, which may have been responsible for his being off duty when so badly needed on September 23d. The order for the rum still exists among the Washington Papers, No. 19796, and shows that Arnold had no intentions of paying for it. In full it reads:

_Head Quarters_, August 28, 1780.

“_Sir._ In your return of Rum you will omit the puncheon of
Spirits which I have ordered to be reserved for my own use. You
will please to let me know how long the quantity on hand will
serve the Troops and what State stores are in the Magazine. I
have this day given an order for one Barrel Rum for Colonel
Sheldon, that also to be left out.

“B. ARNOLD.”

Another now famous letter passed from Arnold to André dated August 30th, 1780. It reads:

“_Sir_: On the 24th instant I received a note from you without
date, in answer to mine of the 7th of July, also a letter from
your house of the 24th July, in answer to mine of the 15th,
with a note from Mr. B----, of the 30th July; with an extract
of a letter from Mr. J. Osborne of the 24th. I have paid
particular attention to the contents of the several letters;
had they arrived earlier, you should have had my answer sooner.
A variety of circumstances has prevented my writing you before.
I expect to do it very fully in a few days, and to procure you
an interview with Mr. M----e, when you will be able to settle
your commercial plan, I hope, agreeable to all parties. Mr.
M----e assures me that he is still of opinion that his first
proposal is by no means unreasonable, and makes no doubt,
when he has had a conference with you, that you will close
with it. He expects, when you meet, that you will be fully
authorized from your House; that the risks and profits of the
copartnership may be fully and clearly understood.

“A speculation might at this time be easily made to some
advantage with _ready money_; but there is not the quantity
of goods _at market_ which your partner seems to suppose, and
the number of speculators below, I think, will be against
your making an immediate purchase. I apprehand goods will be
in greater plenty, and much cheaper, in the course of the
season; both dry and wet are much wanted and in demand at this
juncture; some quantities are expected in this part of the
country soon. Mr. M----e flatters himself that in the course of
ten days he will have the pleasure of seeing you; he requests
me to advise you, that he has ordered a draft on you in favor
of our mutual friend S----y for £300, which you will charge on
account of the _tobacco_. I am, in behalf of Mr. M----e & Co.,
Sir, your obedient humble servant,

“GUSTAVUS.

“Mr John Anderson, Merchant,

“To the care of James Osborne, to be left at the Reverend Mr.
Odell’s, New York.”

Next from Lower Salem, dated Sept. 6th, came a letter from Sheldon to Arnold.[40] He reports having placed the messages as Arnold directed. His letter closes with the following paragraph:

“The person mentioned is not returned from his Excursion. I
have forwarded Mrs. Arnold’s letter for Major Gibs to Col.
DeLancey and wrote him on the subject; in answer he writes me
that if any articles are sent to him for Mrs. Arnold he will
take particular care of them and inform me immediately. I
fear the matter may be attended with some difficulty, as I am
informed Gen. Parsons will take command on the lines tomorrow,
however will do the best I can to secreet the articles should
they come within my power. I have the Honor to be Dear Sir,
with great Esteem & Regard Your most obt. Humbl. Sert.

“ELISHA SHELDON.”

With the intention of reaching Arnold, but not caring to address him directly, Major André’s next letter was directed to Sheldon, as follows:

“NEW YORK, 7 Sept. 1780. _Sir_: I am told my name is made known
to you, and that I may hope your indulgence in permitting me to
meet a friend near Your outposts. I will endeavour to obtain
permission to go out with a flag which will be sent to Dobbs’
Ferry on Sunday next the 11th at 12 o’clock, when I shall
be happy to meet Mr. G. Should I not be allowed to go, the
officer who is to command the escort, between whom and myself
no distinction need be made, can speak on the affair. Let me
entreat you, Sir, to favor a matter so interesting to the
parties concerned, and which is of so private a nature that the
public on neither side can be injured by it.

“I shall be happy on my part of doing any act of kindness to
you in a family or property concern, of a similar nature.

“I trust I shall not be detained but should any old grudge be
a cause for it, I should rather risk that than neglect the
business in question or assume a mysterious character to carry
on an innocent affair and as friends have advised get to your
lines by stealth. I am with all regard Yr most humble sert.

“JOHN ANDERSON.”

Shortly before the arrival of the above letter Colonel Sheldon received a note from Arnold reading:

“ROBINSON’S HOUSE, 7 September, 1780.--Since I saw you, I have
had an opportunity of transmitting a letter to the person
in New York, of whom I made mention, and am in expectation
of procuring a meeting at your quarters. If I can bring
this matter about, as I hope, I shall open a channel of
intelligence, that will be regular and to be depended upon. I
am, &c.

“B. ARNOLD.”

Sheldon was evidently mystified by these letters, and so from Lower Salem on September 9th, 1780, addressed Arnold:

“_Dear Sir_; Enclosed I send you a letter, which I received
last evening from New York, signed John Anderson, who mentions
his being made known to me. If this is the person you mentioned
in your favor of yesterday, he must have had his information
by your letter, as I never heard his name mentioned before I
received the letter. I hope you will not fail meeting him at
Dobbs’s Ferry; if you cannot meet him yourself, pray send some
person that you can confide in. I am so much out of health,
that I shall not be able to ride that distance in one day. I
am, &c.

“ELISHA SHELDON.”

Arnold showed alarm upon receiving this letter. Probably because André had spoken in such a manner as he feared would excite suspicion. In his reply to Sheldon he says:

“ROBINSON’S HOUSE, 10 September, 1780.

“_Dear Sir_; I received last night your favor of yesterday.
You judge right. I wrote to Mr. Anderson on the 3d instant,
requesting him to meet me at your quarters, and informed
him that I had hinted the matter to you, and that you would
send any letter to me, or inform me of his arrival. I did
not mention his name in my letter to you, as I thought it
unnecessary. I was obliged to write with great caution to him.
My letter was signed Gustavus, to prevent any discovery in
case it fell into the hands of the enemy.

“From the tenor of Mr. Anderson’s letter, (in particular that
part where he says, ‘The officer, who commands the escort,
between whom and myself no distinction need be made, can speak
on the affair,’) I am led to conjecture my letter has been
intercepted. There are several things in the letter, which
appear mysterious. As you are unwell, and I want to go to
Verplanck’s Point to give directions in some matters there,
I am determined to go as far as Dobbs’s Ferry and meet the
flag. If Mr. Anderson should not be permitted to come out
with the flag and should find means to come to your quarters,
I wish you to send an express to let me know; and send two
or three horsemen to conduct him on the way to meet me, as
it is difficult for me to ride so far. If your health will
permit, I wish you to come with him. I have promised him your
protection, and that he shall return in safety. I am convinced
of his inclination to serve the public; and if he has received
my letter, and in consequence thereof should come to your
quarters, I make no doubt to fix a mode of intelligence, that
will answer my wishes.

“If General Parsons has arrived, I wish you to show him my
letter, and tell him that my request is to have Mr. Anderson
escorted to meet me. Please to write me by return of the
express through what channel you received Mr. Anderson’s
letter, and if your emissary has returned. I am, with great
regard, &c.

“B. ARNOLD.”

Sheldon’s reply to Arnold’s above was prompt. It is dated Lower Salem, 12 September, 1780.

“_Dear General_, In your favor of the 10th instant, you desired
to know, through what channel I received Mr. Anderson’s
letter. It was by a flag that came to our lines, and forwarded
to me by Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson. It came to me sealed. The
person, so often mentioned, has returned from New York, where
he was detained ten days before he could obtain permission
to return. He was not suffered to leave his quarters, unless
escorted by some person appointed by the Commanding Officer for
that purpose; by which means he had no opportunity of gaining
any intelligence of consequence. He will be at your quarters
within a few days. His name is Elijah Hunter. General Parsons
had not arrived at North Castle yesterday at twelve o’clock. I
am to inform you that I have been in arrest two or three days,
on a complaint exhibited to head-quarters by a villain by the
name of Darius Stoddard, for defrauding the public, together
with sundry other charges. I have the honor to be, &c.

“E. SHELDON.”

General Washington momentarily expected the British boats to ascend the Hudson, as is evident by his letter to Arnold preparing for that emergency. Answering it from Headquarters at Robinson’s House on September 12, 1780, Arnold in a paragraph saves the barge crew for himself and enables us to record the regiment to which they belonged. He says:

“... The order, contained in the postscript of your
Excellency’s letter of the 7th, to send the eight bargemen of
Colonel Putnam’s regiment to join their regiment, I conceive to
be on a supposition of their being idle at West Point. I beg
leave to observe, that they are now employed as my bargemen;
that all the militia oarsmen had, previous to the receipt of
the order, been drafted, and sent to different commands, at
King’s Ferry and elsewhere, so that it is out of my power to
procure a proper crew for my barge; for which reason I have
thought proper to detain them until I receive your Excellency’s
further orders on the subject.[41]

“BENEDICT ARNOLD.”

Arnold now started to meet John Anderson, as appointed in his letter of September 7th. For this purpose he set out in his barge on Sunday afternoon; passed the night at Joshua Smith’s house, and on the morning of the 11th of September descended nineteen miles to Dobbs’ Ferry. There is every reason to believe that André was nearby, expecting him, but as Arnold’s barge drew near some British gun boats opened such a fire that Arnold was put in peril of his life and obliged to fall back. In the hope of being followed he retired to an American post on the west shore, above the ferry, where he remained until sundown, but no flag came. That night he returned to West Point and André went back to New York.

_Simcoe Wished to Capture Washington_

During the first week in September Major André had arranged that Colonel Simcoe and the Rangers were to take an active part in the surrender of West Point. Word now reached the Colonel that he was to be ready to embark upon the arrival of Sir George Rodney’s fleet, and it was rumored for an intended expedition into the Chesapeake. This so upset Colonel Simcoe that he hastily and in great distress appealed by letter to Major André. Immediately upon his return from Dobbs’ Ferry the Major answered him, as follows:

“September 12, 1780. _Dear Simcoe_: Rely upon it your alarms
are vain. Colonel Watson or you, one or the other, will not
embark. I should have been happy to have seen you and have
hinted that apparent arrangements are not always real ones, but
I beg you to seek no explanation. I should not say what I do
but I cannot, without concern, see you in any uneasiness I can
relieve.

“JOHN ANDRÉ.”

André followed this letter to Oyster Bay and with Simcoe planned for the capture of General Washington,[42] which plan was not approved of by Sir Henry Clinton when it was presented to him a few days later. Simcoe nevertheless prepared for any emergency. An order among the papers of Captain Daniel Youngs reads:

“OYSTER BAY 14th September, 1780. _Sir_: By order of Colo.
Simcoe am directed to desire you to furnish seven waggons or
oxteams upon the next advice sent of the Regt. moving. These
waggons will be discharged the first Post the Regt. halts at.
This is only to intimate to you to have the teams in readiness
upon the first notice that the baggage, stores &c. of the
Regt, may not suffer by delay when the march is ordered. Robert
Gardner, Sergt. (endorsed) Complied with, Quart. Master, Q. R.”

Meanwhile Benedict Arnold was uneasy. From James Livingston at Verplanck’s Point came a letter dated Septr. 13th, reading:

“_Dear General_: I am just now informed by the inhabitants of
Tarry Town, that Colo. Robinson came there in a Barge under
pretence of a Flagg, but think its more probable to reconnoitre
the country. I have not the least doubt they will shortly send
out a Foraging Party as the country between this and New York
lies entirely exposed.

“If you think it advisable I will send a party to endeavour to
give them a check in case they should come as high as Tarry
Town. I have ordered the inhabitants to drive off their cattle
should the enemy appear in force.

“JAMES LIVINGSTON.”

Arnold on the same day directed a long letter to Major Tallmadge, similar as it concerned Anderson to his letter to Sheldon of the 10th. A postscript reads:

“If Mr. James Anderson, a person I expect from New York should
come to your quarters, I have to request that you will give him
an escort of two Horse to bring him on his way to this place,
and send an express to me that I may meet him.

“B. ARNOLD.”

Then he again addressed Mr. John Anderson, as follows:

“September 15th.--_Sir_: On the nth at noon, agreeable to your
request, I attempted to go to Dobb’s Ferry, but was prevented
by the armed boats of the enemy, which fired upon us; and I
continued opposite the Ferry till sunset.