Part 11
[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:
[Illustration:
(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: