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diff --git a/old/63119-0.txt b/old/63119-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 935a0f2..0000000 --- a/old/63119-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6131 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Two Spies, by Benson J. Lossing and Anna Seward - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Two Spies - Nathan Hale and John André - -Author: Benson J. Lossing - Anna Seward - -Release Date: September 4, 2020 [EBook #63119] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TWO SPIES *** - - - - -Produced by WebRover, MFR, Graeme Macketh and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: Hale's Birthplace.] - - THE TWO SPIES - - NATHAN HALE AND JOHN ANDRÉ - - BY - BENSON J. LOSSING, LL. D. - - _ILLUSTRATED WITH PEN-AND-INK SKETCHES BY H. ROSA_ - - ANNA SEWARD'S MONODY ON MAJOR ANDRÉ - - NEW YORK: - D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, - 72 FIFTH AVENUE. - - 1897. - - - - - Copyright, 1886, - By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY. - - - - -FORETALK. - - -This little volume contains a brief account of the most important -events in the life-career of two notable spies in our War for -Independence, NATHAN HALE and JOHN ANDRÉ. They were both young men, -well educated, endowed with genius and ability for conspicuous -achievements, brave and accomplished soldiers, pure and virtuous in -private character, truthful, manly, refined in thoughts and manners, -handsome in person, lovely in disposition, and beloved by all who knew -them. - -Yet they were spies! - -"Spies," says Vattel, "are generally condemned to capital punishment, -and not unjustly, there being scarcely any other way of preventing -the mischief which they may do. For this reason a man of honor, who -would not expose himself to die by the hand of a common executioner, -ever declines serving as a spy. He considers it beneath him, as it can -seldom be done without some kind of treachery." - -May not a spy be a man of lofty honor, and act under the inspiration -of disinterested patriotism? Stratagem, an artifice or scheme for -deceiving an enemy in war, is regarded as honorable, but is it not -seldom exercised "without some kind of treachery"? - -It is the _motive_ which gives true character to the deed. When the -motive is a purely mercenary one, the deed is dishonorable; when it -is the lofty one of a desire to serve one's country or his race, -unselfishly, the act is certainly honorable. Nathan Hale truthfully -said, "Every kind of service necessary for the public good becomes -honorable by being necessary." - -The motives of the two spies were expressed by themselves. Hale said: -"I wish to be useful. If the exigencies of my country demand a peculiar -service, its claims to the performance of that service are imperious." -André avowed that in the enterprise in which he was engaged all he -sought "was military glory, the applause of his king and country, and, -perhaps, a brigadiership." - -The last words uttered by André under the gibbet indicated that his -supreme thought at that moment was of _himself_. He said to the -American officers present, "I request you, gentlemen, that you will -bear me witness to the world that I die like a brave man." Hale's last -words upon the ladder indicated that his supreme thought at that moment -was of his _country_. He said, "I only regret that I have but one life -to lose for my country!" - -In 1856 a "Life of Captain Nathan Hale," by I.W. Stuart, was published -at Hartford, in a small volume of 230 pages. In 1861 "The Life and -Career of Major John André," by Winthrop Sargeant, was published -at Boston in a small octavo volume of nearly 500 pages. It is an -exhaustive work. To these two books I acknowledge much indebtedness. - -The spirited pen-and-ink sketches which illustrate this little volume -were largely copied from original drawings by the author; also from -other original drawings and autographs. The two pictures, _Cunningham -destroying Hale's Letters_, and _The Tournament_, are original designs -by the artist. - -This volume contains the full text of André's "Cow-Chase," and -the famous "Monody on Major André," by Miss Anna Seward, with a -portrait and a brief biographical sketch of the author; also three -characteristic letters written by André to Miss Seward, when he was a -youth of eighteen. The "Monody," I believe, has never been published in -America. - - B.J.L. - - The Ridge, _April, 1886_. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - NATHAN HALE. - - CHAPTER I. - PAGE - - Hale's Birthplace and Parentage.--The Hale Family 3 - - Hale's Youthhood and Education 4 - - Dr. Munson's Recollections of him 5 - - Hale at Yale College and as a School-teacher 7 - - Patriotism of 8, 9 - - His Military Career at Boston and New York 9-12 - - - CHAPTER II. - - The American Army at New York 12, 13 - - A Man for Secret Service sought 18 - - Hale's Idea of the Service; he volunteers 14 - - His Career as a Spy 15-20 - - His Arrest 17 - - Taken to General Howe's Headquarters 19 - - Sentenced to be hanged without Trial.--Great Fire in New York 20 - - - CHAPTER III. - - Hale at the Place of Execution 21 - - Cruelly treated by Cunningham, the Provost-Marshal 22 - - His Last Words 23 - - Sympathy, expressed; his Execution 24 - - Monumental Memorials of Hale 25-27 - - Literary Contributions to his Memory 27-31 - - Tribute to Hale by Henry J. Raymond 31 - - Proposed Monument in Memory of Hale at New York 33 - - Proposed Epitaph 34 - - - - - JOHN ANDRÉ. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - - André's Birth, Parentage, Education, and Family 37 - - His Acquaintance with Anna Seward and her Literary Friends 38 - - His Betrothal to Honora Sneyd 40 - - His Correspondence with Miss Seward 41 - - Enters the Army 42 - - Presaging Omens 42, 43 - - André goes to America 43 - - Made a Prisoner 44 - - At Philadelphia--his Accomplishments and Captivating Manners 45 - - Lord Howe entertained 45 - - - CHAPTER II. - - The Mischianza described by André 46-59 - - - CHAPTER III. - - The Mischianza and the Character of General Howe criticised 59, 60 - - The British fly from Philadelphia toward New York, General Clinton in - Command.--Battle of Monmouth 60 - - Expedition to Rhode Island 61 - - André's Genius and Social Position 62 - - His Letter to Benedict Arnold's Wife 63 - - Arnold's Career in Philadelphia 63, 64 - - His Treasonable Correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton and André 64, 65 - - André a Spy in Charleston 66 - - Arnold's Premeditated Treason.--Occasion of "The Cow-Chase" 67 - - - CHAPTER IV. - - "The Cow-Chase" 68 - - - CHAPTER V. - - Gloomy State of Public Affairs.--Proposed Personal Meeting between - Arnold and André 79 - - Arrangements for such a Meeting 79, 80 - - André at a Dinner-Party 80, 81 - - Goes to meet General Arnold 81 - - The Meeting 81, 82 - - They go to Smith's House 83 - - The Terms of Treasonable Service agreed upon.--André compelled to - attempt a Return to New York by Land 84 - - Receives Papers from Arnold.--His Journey.--The Neutral Ground 85 - - André arrested 86 - - Patriotism of his Captors 88 - - Their Reward 89 - - André discovered to be a Spy 90 - - His Confession 91 - - His Letter to Washington 91-93 - - - CHAPTER VI. - - Washington returns from Hartford at a Critical Moment.--Arnold receives - Notice of André's Arrest 93 - - Painful Interview with his Wife.--He escapes to the _Vulture_ 94 - - Washington at Arnold's Quarters.--Discovers Arnold's Treason.--His - Calmness and Tenderness 96 - - André brought to Arnold's Quarters and sent to General Greene at - Tappaan 97 - - His Free Conversation with Major Tallmadge 98 - - Effects of the News of his Capture 99 - - Tried by a Board of Officers and condemned as a Spy 100 - - Efforts to save him 101 - - His Choice of the Mode of Death 102 - - His Execution 103-105 - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Almost Universal Sympathy felt for André 105, 106 - - Honored by his King 106 - - A Monument to his Memory in Westminster Abbey, described 106-108 - - André's Remains removed to the Abbey 108 - - Memorials to mark the Place of his Execution 109-115 - - Memorial-Stone erected by Mr. Field at Tappaan 110-115 - - Mr. Field's Generous Proposition 110, 114, 118 - - Attempts to destroy the Field Memorial at Tappaan 117, 118 - - An Indignation Meeting at Tappaan 119 - - A Monument to mark the Place where André was captured at - Tarrytown 119-121 - - Biographical Sketch of Anna Seward 125 - - Monody on Major André 135 - - André's Letters to Miss Seward 152 - - Index 165 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - PAGE - - Nathan Hale's Birthplace _Frontispiece_ - - Fac-simile of Hale's Handwriting 6 - - Union Grammar School-house at New London 8 - - The Beekman Mansion 18 - - Beekman's Greenhouse 19 - - Cunningham destroying Hale's Letters 22 - - The Hale Monument at Coventry 26 - - Portrait of John André _face_ 37 - - Portrait of Honora Sneyd 39 - - The Mischianza Ticket 47 - - Lady's Head-Dress 48 - - The Joust at the Tournament 52 - - Fac-simile of Arnold's disguised Handwriting 65 - - Fac-simile of André's disguised Handwriting 65 - - Fac-simile of the Last Stanza of the Cow-Chase 78 - - The Smith House 82 - - Fac-simile of Arnold's Passport 87 - - Portrait of John Paulding 89 - - The Robinson House 95 - - "The '76 Stone House" 97 - - Washington's Headquarters at Tappaan 100 - - Passage from the Vulture 104 - - André's Monument in Westminster Abbey 107 - - Bowlder-Monument 109 - - Dean Stanley's Autograph 112 - - Memorial at Tappaan 116 - - Memorial at Tarrytown 120 - - Portrait of Anna Seward _face_ 125 - - - - -NATHAN HALE. - - - - -NATHAN HALE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - -In a picturesque region of Tolland County, Connecticut, twenty miles -eastward of Hartford, situated upon an eminence which commands a -beautiful and extensive prospect westward toward the State capital, -there once stood, and perhaps now stands, a pleasant farm-house, -built of wood, and two stories in height.[1] In that house, on the -6th of June, 1755, a child was born whose name appears conspicuous -in our national history. It was a boy, and one of twelve children, -whose father, Richard Hale, had emigrated in early life from Newberry, -in Massachusetts, to Coventry, and there married Elizabeth Strong, -a charming maiden eighteen years of age. He was a descendant of -Robert Hale, or Hales, who settled in Charlestown, in 1632, and who -seems to have been a scion of the Hales of Kent, for he bore their -coat-of-arms--three broad arrows feathered white, on a red field. - -Both Richard and Elizabeth Hale were of the strictest sect of the -Puritans of their day. They revered the Bible as the voice of God; -reverenced magistrates and gospel ministers as his chosen servants; -regarded the strict observance of the Christian Sabbath as a binding -obligation, and family worship and grace before meals as imperative -duties and precious privileges. - -The sixth child of Richard and Elizabeth Hale they named NATHAN. He -was feeble in body at the beginning of his life, and gave very little -promise of surviving the period of infancy; but tender motherly care -carried him safely over the critical second year, and he became -a robust child, physically and mentally. He grew up a lively, -sweet-tempered, and beautiful youth; and these qualities marked his -young manhood. - -Nathan Hale, the distinguished person alluded to, bright and active, -loved out-of-door pastimes, and communing with Nature everywhere. He -was conspicuous among his companions for remarkable athletism. He would -spring, with apparent ease, out of one hogshead into another, through a -series; and he would place his hand upon a fence as high as his head, -and spring over it at a bound with apparently little effort. - -Having an intense thirst for knowledge, young Hale was very studious. -His father designed him for the Christian ministry, and he was fitted -for college by the Rev. Dr. Huntington, one of the most eminent -Congregational divines and scholars of his day, and then the pastor of -the parish in which Nathan was born. - -Young Hale entered Yale College when in the sixteenth year of his -age. His brother Enoch, the grandfather of Rev. Edward Everett Hale, -of Boston, and two years the senior of Nathan, entered Yale at the -same time. The students then numbered about sixty. His course of -college-life was eminently praiseworthy; and he was graduated with the -highest honors in September, 1773. Popular with all the students, the -tutors, and the faculty, he was always a welcome visitor in the best -families of New Haven. - -In the autumn of 1848 I visited the venerable Eneas Munson, M.D., at -New Haven. He had been assistant surgeon, under Dr. Thatcher, in the -old War for Independence. He knew young Hale well during the later -period of his life at Yale College, for he was then a frequent visitor -at the home of Dr. Munson's father. - -"I was greatly impressed," said Dr. Munson, "with Hale's scientific -knowledge, evinced during his conversation with my father. I am sure -he was equal to André in solid acquirements, and his taste for art and -talents as an artist were quite remarkable. His personal appearance was -as notable. He was almost six feet in height, perfectly proportioned, -and in figure and deportment he was the most manly man I have ever met. -His chest was broad; his muscles were firm; his face wore a most benign -expression; his complexion was roseate; his eyes were light blue and -beamed with intelligence; his hair was soft and light brown in color, -and his speech was rather low, sweet, and musical. His personal beauty -and grace of manner were most charming. Why, all the girls in New -Haven fell in love with him," said Dr. Munson, "and wept tears of real -sorrow when they heard of his sad fate. In dress he was always neat; -he was quick to lend a helping hand to a being in distress, brute or -human; was overflowing with good-humor, and was the idol of all his -acquaintances." - -Such was the verbal testimony of a personal acquaintance of Nathan Hale -as to his appearance and character. When he left Yale College.[2] Dr. -Jared Sparks, who knew several of Hale's intimate friends, writes of -him: - -[Illustration: Please accept for yourself and Mrs. Munson the grateful -thanks of one who will always remember the kindness he ever experienced -whenever he visited your abode. - - your friend, - Nathan Hale. - -Fac-simile of Hale's Handwriting.] - -"Possessing genius, taste, and order, he became distinguished as a -scholar; and, endowed in an eminent degree with those graces and gifts -of Nature which add a charm to youthful excellence, he gained universal -esteem and confidence. To high moral worth and irreproachable habits -were joined gentleness of manner, an ingenuous disposition, and vigor -of understanding. No young man of his years put forth a fairer promise -of future usefulness and celebrity; the fortunes of none were fostered -more sincerely by the generous good wishes of his associates, and the -hopes and encouraging presages of his superiors." - -Among Hale's classmates was (afterward Major) Benjamin Tallmadge, who -had charge of André soon after his arrest. With William Robinson and -Ezra Samson he was engaged with Hale at their graduation, in a Latin -syllogistic dispute, followed by a debate on the question, "Whether the -education of daughters be not, without any just reason, more neglected -than that of the sons?" - -"In this debate Hale was triumphant," wrote James Hillhouse, another of -his classmates, who was a few months his junior. "He was the champion -of 'The Daughters,' and most ably advocated their cause. You may be -sure that he received the plaudits of the ladies present." - -On leaving college, Hale engaged in school-teaching for nearly two -years. He first taught a select school at East Haddam, on the left bank -of the Connecticut River, then a place of much wealth. - -In 1774 he was called to the position of preceptor in the Union -Grammar-School at New London, an institution of high grade, intended to -furnish facilities for a thorough English education and the classical -preparation necessary for entering college. The school-building stood -on State Street. Young Hale was appointed its first preceptor after its -organization. It was a high compliment to his ability. - -Hale's connection with this school was most agreeable. Everybody became -warmly attached to him. His life moved on in a placid current, with -scarcely a ripple upon its surface. He assiduously cultivated science -and letters, moved in the most refined society, and engaged in social -pleasures and religious repose. His future appeared full of joyful -promises. - -[Illustration: Union Grammar School-house at New London.] - -Suddenly war's alarms dispelled Hale's dream of quiet happiness. -The news of the bloodshed at Lexington and Concord aroused the -continent--New England in a special manner. A messenger, riding express -with the news, between Boston and New York, brought it to New London -late on the 21st of April. It created intense excitement. A town -meeting was called at the court-house at twilight. Among the speakers -present whose words fired the hearts of the eager listeners was Nathan -Hale. With impassioned language and intense earnestness he exhorted the -people to take patriotic action at once. "Let us march immediately," -he cried, "and never lay down our arms until we have obtained our -independence!" This was the first public demand for independence made -at the beginning of the great struggle. - -When the meeting adjourned, Hale, with others, enrolled himself as a -volunteer. A company was soon formed. On the following morning when the -school assembled, he prayed with his pupils, gave them good advice, -bade each one of them an affectionate farewell, and soon afterward -departed for Cambridge. He returned and resumed his duties at the -school, but it was not long before his intense desire to serve his -country caused him to enlist as a lieutenant of a company in Colonel -Charles Webb's regiment--a body raised by order of the General Assembly -for home defense, or, if necessary, for the protection of the country -at large. - -Late in September Hale marched with his regiment to Cambridge, and -participated in the siege of Boston. He received the commission of -captain early in January, and was vigilant and brave at all times. The -British were driven from the New England capital in March (1776), and -sailed away to Halifax with a host of Tories, who fled from the wrath -of the Whigs whom they had oppressed. After the British left Boston, -the bulk of the American army proceeded to New York. So earnest and -unselfish was Hale's patriotism that, when, late in 1775, the men of -his company, whose term of service had expired, determined to return -home, he offered to give them his month's pay if they would remain so -much longer. - -Soon after Hale's arrival at New York, he successfully performed a -daring feat. A British sloop, laden with provisions, was anchored in -the East River under the protection of the guns of the man-of-war -_Asia_ sixty-four. General Heath gave Hale permission to attempt the -capture of the supply-vessel. With a few picked men (probably of -Glover's brigade, who were largely seamen), as resolute as himself, -he proceeded in a whale-boat silently at midnight to the side of the -sloop, unobserved by the sentinel on the deck. Hale and his men sprang -on board, secured the sentinel, confined the crew below the hatches, -raised her anchor, and took her into Coenties Slip just at the dawn of -day. Captain Hale was at the helm. The victors were greeted with loud -huzzas from a score of voices when the sloop touched the wharf. The -stores of provisions of the prize-vessel were distributed among Hale's -hungry fellow-soldiers. - -We have no information concerning Hale's movements from the time of his -capture of the supply-vessel until after the battle of Long Island. -He became captain of a company of Connecticut Rangers in May--a corps -composed of choice men picked from the different Connecticut regiments, -and placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Knowlton, who -had distinguished himself in the battle of Bunker's (Breed's) Hill. -They were known as "Congress's Own." - -In two or three letters written by Hale to his brothers in the earlier -part of the summer, he mentions some hostile movements, but there are -no indications that he was engaged in any of them. He seems not to -have been in the battle of Long Island or a participant in the famous -retreat of Washington across the East River, from Brooklyn, at the -close of August. He was among the troops that remained in New York when -the British invaded Long Island (for he was sick at that time), and -joined the retreating forces in their march toward Harlem Heights early -in September. He first appears after that movement in the presence of -Washington, at the house of the opulent Quaker merchant, Robert Murray, -on Murray Hill, to receive instructions for the performance of an -important mission. What was the nature of that mission? Let us see: - -The American army on Manhattan Island was in a most perilous condition -after the retreat from Long Island. It was fearfully demoralized, -and seemed to be on the point of dissolution. Despair had taken -possession of the minds of the militia. They deserted by companies -and even by regiments. Impatient of restraint, insubordination -everywhere prevailed. The soldiers clamored for pay; the money-chest -was empty. They clamored for clothing and blankets, as cold weather was -approaching; the commissary could not respond. One third of the men -were without tents, and one fourth of them were on the sick-roll. Only -fourteen thousand men were fit for duty, and these were scattered in -detachments lying between each extremity of the island, a distance of a -dozen miles or more. - -The British army was then twenty-five thousand strong, and lay in -compact detachments along the shores of New York Bay and the East -River, from (present) Greenwood Cemetery to Flushing and beyond. The -soldiers were veterans, and were flushed with the recent victory. They -were commanded by able generals. The army was supported by a powerful -naval force which studded with armed vessels the waters that clasped -Manhattan Island. Each arm of the service was magnificently equipped -with artillery, stores, and munitions of war of every kind. - -Such was the condition and relative position of the two armies when, on -the 7th of September, Washington called a council of war to consider -the important questions, What shall be done? Shall we defend or abandon -New York? - -Washington had already asked Congress, "If we should be obliged to -abandon the town, ought it to stand as winter-quarters for the enemy?" -He was answered by a resolve that, in case he should find it necessary -that he should quit New York, he should "have special care taken that -no damage be done to the city, Congress having no doubt of their being -able to recover it." It was resolved to remain and defend the city. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: See the frontispiece, copied from a drawing by J.W. -Barber, of New Haven, in 1840.] - -[Footnote 2: Dr. Munson allowed me to read the following letter written -by Hale to his father, from New London, late in September, 1774, and to -make a _fac-simile_ of the last paragraph as seen above: - - "New London, _November_ 30, 1774. - - "SIR: I am very happily situated here. I love my employment; find many - friends among strangers; have time for scientific study, and seem - to fill the place assigned me with satisfaction. I have a school of - more than thirty boys to instruct, about half of them in Latin; and - my salary is satisfactory. During the summer I had a morning class of - young ladies--about a score--from five to seven o'clock; so you see my - time is pretty fully occupied, profitably I hope to my pupils and to - their teacher. - "Please accept for yourself and Mrs. Munson the grateful thanks of one - who will always remember the kindness he ever experienced whenever he - visited your abode. - - Your friend, - Nathan Hale."] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -Perils were gathering thick and fast, and at another council, held on -the 12th, it was resolved to abandon the city and take a position on -Harlem Heights. The sick were sent over to New Jersey, and the public -stores were taken to Dobb's Ferry, twenty miles up the Hudson River. -Then the main army moved northward, leaving in the city a guard of four -thousand men under General Putnam, with orders to follow if necessary. - -Washington made his headquarters at the house of Robert Murray on the -14th. The position of the American army now appeared more perilous -than ever. Two ships-of-war had passed up the East River. Others soon -followed. Scouts reported active movements among the British troops -everywhere, but could not penetrate, even by reasonable conjecture, the -designs of the enemy. It was of the utmost importance to know something -of their real intentions. Washington wrote to General Heath, then -stationed at Kingsbridge: - -"As everything, in a manner, depends upon obtaining intelligence of the -enemy's motions, I do most earnestly entreat you and General Clinton to -exert yourselves to accomplish this most desirable end. Leave no stone -unturned, nor do not stick at expense, to bring this to pass, as I -was never more uneasy than on account of my want of knowledge on this -score. Keep constant lookout, with good glasses, on some commanding -heights that look well on to the other shore." - -The vital questions pressing for answer were, Will they make a direct -attack upon the city? Will they land upon the island, above the city, -or at Morrisania beyond the Harlem River? Will they attempt to cut -off our communications with the main, by seizing the region along the -Harlem River or at Kingsbridge, by landing forces on the shores of -the East and Hudson Rivers, at Turtle Bay, or at Bloomingdale, and, -stretching a cordon of armed men from river to river, cut off the four -thousand troops left in the city? - -Washington, in his perplexity, called another council of war at -Murray's. He told his officers that he could not procure the least -information concerning the intentions of the enemy, and asked the -usual question of late, What shall be done? It was resolved to send a -competent person, in disguise, into the British camps on Long Island -to unveil the momentous secret. It needed one skilled in military and -scientific knowledge and a good draughtsman; a man possessed of a quick -eye, a cool head, unflinching courage; tact, caution, and sagacity--a -man on whose judgment and fidelity implicit reliance might be placed. - -Washington sent for Lieutenant-Colonel Knowlton and asked him to -seek for a trustful man for the service, in his own noted regiment -or in some other. Knowlton summoned a large number of officers to a -conference at his quarters, and, in the name of the commander-in-chief, -invited a volunteer for the important service. They were surprised. -There was a long pause. Patriotism, ambition, a love of adventure, -and indignation, alternately took possession of their feelings. It was -an invitation to serve their country supremely by becoming a spy--a -character upon whom all civilized nations place the ban of scorn and -contumely! They recoiled from such a service, and there was a general -and even resentful refusal to comply with the request. - -Late in the conference, when Knowlton had despaired of finding a man -competent and willing to undertake the perilous mission, a young -officer appeared, pale from the effects of recent severe sickness. -Knowlton repeated the invitation, when, almost immediately, the voice -of the young soldier was heard uttering the momentous words, "I will -undertake it!" It was the voice of Captain Nathan Hale. - -Everybody was astonished. The whole company knew Hale. They loved and -admired him. They tried to dissuade him from his decision, setting -forth the risk of sacrificing all his good prospects in life and -the fond hopes of his parents and friends. They painted in darkest -colors the ignominy and death to which he might be exposed. His warmly -attached friend, William Hull (afterward a general in the War of 1812), -who was a member of his company and had been a classmate at college, -employed all the force of friendship and the arts of persuasion to bend -him from his purpose, but in vain. With warmth and decision Hale said: - -"Gentlemen, I think I owe to my country the accomplishment of an object -so important and so much desired by the commander of her armies, -and I know no mode of obtaining the information but by assuming a -disguise and passing into the enemy's camp. I am fully sensible of -the consequences of discovery and capture in such a situation. But -for a year I have been attached to the army, and have not rendered -any material service, while receiving a compensation for which I make -no return. Yet I am not influenced by any expectation of promotion -or pecuniary reward. I wish to be useful; _and every kind of service -necessary for the public good becomes honorable by being necessary_. If -the exigencies of my country demand a peculiar service, its claims to -the performance of that service are imperious." - -These manly, wise, and patriotic words--this willingness to sacrifice -himself, if necessary, for the good of his country--silenced his -brother officers. Accompanied by Knowlton, he appeared before -Washington the same afternoon, and received instructions concerning his -mission. His commander also furnished him with a general order to the -owners of all American vessels in Long Island Sound to convey him to -any point on Long Island which he might designate. - -Hale left the camp on Harlem Heights the same evening, accompanied by -Sergeant Stephen Hempstead, a trustworthy member of his company, whom -he engaged to go with him as far as it would be prudent. He was also -accompanied by his trusty servant, Ansel Wright. They found no safe -place to cross the Sound until they arrived at Norwalk, fifty miles -from New York, owing to the presence of small British cruisers in those -waters. There Hale exchanged his regimentals for a citizen's dress -of brown cloth and a broad-brimmed round hat, and directed Hempstead -and Wright to tarry for him at Norwalk until his return, which he -supposed would be on the 20th. He directed a boat to be sent for him on -the morning of that day, and left with Hempstead his uniform and his -military commission and other papers. - -There are somewhat conflicting accounts concerning Hale's movements -after he left Norwalk. All agree that he was conveyed across the Sound -to Huntington Bay, where he landed; that he assumed the character of a -schoolmaster and loyalist disgusted with the "rebel" cause, and that -he professed to be in quest of an engagement as a school-teacher. -It is known that he entered the British camps in personal disguise -and with the pretext of loyalty and the character of a pedagogue; -that he was received with great cordiality as a "good fellow"; that -he visited all the British camps on Long Island, made observations -openly, and drawings and memoranda of fortifications, etc., secretly; -that he passed over from Brooklyn to New York city and gathered much -information concerning affairs there, the British having invaded -Manhattan Island and secured possession of the town since his -departure;[3] and that he returned to Long Island and passed through -the various camps to Huntington Bay for the purpose of going back to -Norwalk. - -Tradition tells us that Hale was conveyed from Norwalk to Huntington -Bay on a sloop, and was landed from her yawl two hours before daybreak -in the neighborhood of a place called "The Cedars." Near there a -Widow Chichester, a stanch loyalist (called "Widow Chich"), kept a -tavern, which was the resort of all the Tories in that region. Hale -passed this dangerous place with safety before cock-crowing, and at a -farm-house a mile distant he was kindly furnished with breakfast and -a bed for repose after his night's toil. Then he made his way to the -nearest British camp, and was received without suspicion of his real -character. Concerning his movements after that, until his return from -New York, tradition is silent. - -Hale, on his return, had reached in safety the point on the Long -Island shore where he first landed, and prepared to recross the sound -at Norwalk the next morning. He wore shoes with loose inner soles. -Between the soles he had concealed the accurate drawings he had made of -fortifications, etc., and also his memoranda, written in Latin on thin -paper. He had given directions for the boat, from which he had landed, -to come for him on a designated morning, which would be the next after -his return. Satisfied that he was safe from harm, for he was remote -from a British post, and happy with the thought that his perilous -mission was ended successfully and that he should render his country -most important service, he awaited the coming morning with patience and -serenity of mind. - -Feeling secure in his simple dress and disguised manner, Hale entered -the tavern of the Widow Chichester, at "The Cedars." A number of -persons were in the room. A moment afterward, a man, whose face seemed -familiar to him, suddenly departed and was not seen again. - -Hale passed the night at the tavern, and at dawn went out to look -for the expected boat. To his great joy he saw one moving toward the -shore, with several men in it. Not doubting they were his friends, he -hastened toward the beach, where, as the vessel touched the shore, -he was astounded by the sight of a barge bearing British marines. He -turned to flee, when a loud voice called, "Surrender or die!" Looking -back he saw six men standing erect, with muskets leveled at him. He was -seized, taken into the barge, and conveyed to the British guard-ship -_Halifax_, Captain Quarne, which was anchored behind a point of wooded -land of Lloyd's Neck. - -It has been asserted that the man who so suddenly departed from the -room of the tavern at "The Cedars" when Hale entered was a Tory cousin -of his, a dissipated fellow, who recognized his kinsman in disguise and -betrayed him into the hands of the enemy; but there is no warrant for -such an accusation. - -Hale's captors stripped and searched him, and found the evidences of -his being a spy in the papers concealed between the soles of his shoes. -These formed as positive testimony as to his true character as did the -papers found in André's boot, which convicted the adjutant-general of -the British army of being a spy. - -[Illustration: The Beekman Mansion.] - -[Illustration: Beekman's Greenhouse.] - -Captain Hale was taken in one of the boats of the _Halifax_ to General -Howe's headquarters, at the elegant mansion of James Beekman, at Mount -Pleasant, as the high bank of the East River at Turtle Bay was called. -The house was situated at (present) Fifty-first Street and First -Avenue. It was then deserted by its stanch Whig owner. Around it were -beautiful lawns and blooming gardens; and near it was a greenhouse -filled with exotic shrubbery and plants.[4] In that greenhouse Hale -was confined, under a strong guard, on Saturday night, the 21st of -September. He had been taken before Howe, who, without trial, and -upon the evidence found in his shoes, condemned him to be hanged early -the next morning. Howe delivered him into the custody of William -Cunningham, the notorious British provost-marshal, with orders to -execute him before sunrise the next day. - -This severity, nay, absolute inhumanity, was doubtless the result -of great irritation of the minds of the British officers at that -moment. They had looked upon the little city of New York, containing -twenty thousand inhabitants, as a most comfortable place for their -winter-quarters. On the very morning when Hale was arrested (at a -little past midnight), a fearful conflagration was accidentally begun -at a low tavern on the wharf near Whitehall Slip (now Staten Island -Ferry). Swiftly the flames spread, and were not quenched until about -five hundred buildings were consumed. The British believed, and so -declared, that the fire was the work of Whig incendiaries, to deprive -the army of comforts. The city was yet ablaze while Hale was lying in -Beekman's greenhouse, awaiting his doom in the early morning. - -When Hale was taken before Howe, he frankly acknowledged his rank and -his purpose as a spy. He firmly but respectfully told of his success -in getting information in the British camps, and expressed his regret -that he had not been able to serve his country better. "I was present -at this interview," wrote a British officer, "and I observed that the -frankness, the manly bearing, and the evident disinterested patriotism -of the handsome young prisoner, sensibly touched a tender chord of -General Howe's nature; but the stern rules of war concerning such -offenses would not allow him to exercise even pity." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 3: On the day after Hale's departure, a strong British force -crossed the East River and landed at Kip's Bay at the foot of (present) -Thirty-fourth Street, drove off an American detachment stationed there, -and formed a line almost across the island to Bloomingdale. On the 16th -detachments of the two armies had a severe contest on Harlem Plains, in -which the Americans were victorious, but at the cost of the life of the -gallant Colonel Knowlton.] - -[Footnote 4: I made a sketch of the Beekman mansion in 1849, and of -the greenhouse in 1852, a few days before it was demolished, with all -the glories of the garden, at Mount Pleasant; for, at the behest of -the Street Commissioner, streets were opened through the whole Beekman -domain. The site of the greenhouse was in the center of (present) -Fifty-second Street, a little east of First Avenue. It was erected -with the mansion in 1764. The mansion was occupied, during the war, -as headquarters by Generals Howe, Clinton, and Robertson. It was the -residence of the Brunswick General Riedesel and his family in the -summer of 1780. General Carleton occupied it in 1783.] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -Long before daybreak of a Christian Sabbath, Nathan Hale was marched -to the place of execution, in the vicinity of (present) East Broadway -and Market Street. He was escorted by a file of soldiers, and there -delivered to the provost-marshal. The young commander of a British -detachment lying near, told Captain William Hull that on Hale's -arrival he requested Cunningham to allow him to sit in his (the -officer's) marquee while waiting for the necessary preparations. The -boon was granted. Hale requested the presence of a chaplain; it was -denied. He asked for a Bible; it was refused. At the solicitation -of the compassionate young officer in whose tent Hale sat, he was -allowed to write brief letters to his mother, sisters, and the young -maiden to whom he was betrothed;[5] but, when they were handed to the -provost-marshal to cause them to be forwarded, that officer read them. -He grew furious as he perceived the noble spirit which breathed in -every sentence, and with coarse oaths and foul epithets he tore them -into shreds before the face of his young victim. Hale gave Cunningham -a withering glance of scorn, and then resumed his usual calmness -and dignity of demeanor. Tho provost-marshal afterward said that he -destroyed the epistles "that the rebels should never know that they had -a man who could die with such firmness." - -[Illustration: Cunningham destroying Hale's Letters.] - -It was in the morning twilight of a beautiful September day that Hale -was led out to execution. The gallows was the limb of an apple-tree -in Colonel Rutgers's orchard.[6] Even at that early hour quite a -large number of men and women had gathered to witness the sad scene. -Cunningham watched every arrangement with evident satisfaction; -and, when everything was ready for the last scene in the tragedy, -he scoffingly demanded of his victim his "last dying speech and -confession!" - -The soul of the young martyr, patriot, and hero, who was standing upon -the fatal ladder[7] with his eyes turned heavenward, was then in secret -communion with his Maker, and his mortal ears seemed closed to earthly -sounds. He did not notice the insulting words of the human fiend. A -moment afterward he looked benignly upon the evidently sympathetic -spectators, and with a calm, clear voice pronounced the last words -uttered by him: - -"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country!" - -The women wept; some of them sobbed audibly. The sublime and burning -words of the victim about to be sacrificed upon the altar of liberty, -and the visible tokens of sympathy among those who witnessed the scene, -maddened the coarse-natured and malignant provost-marshal.[8] He cried -out in a voice hoarse with anger, "Swing the rebel off!" and cursed the -tearful women with foul imprecations, calling them rebels and harlots! - -So ended, in an atmosphere of mingled Christian faith, fortitude, and -hope, and of savage barbarism and brutality, the beautiful life-drama -of Nathan Hale, the early martyr for the cause of human freedom in -the grand struggle for the independence of our country. It is a cause -for just reproach of our people that their history, poetry, oratory, -and art have, for more than a century, neglected to erect a fitting -memorial to his memory--either in the literature of the land he so -loved that he freely gave his young life a sacrifice for its salvation -from bondage, or in bronze or marble. Nowhere in our broad domain, -stretching from sea to sea, teeming with almost sixty million freemen, -is there even a mural tablet seen with the name of Nathan Hale upon it, -excepting a small monument in his native town, overlooking the graves -of his kindred, in an obscure church-yard, which was erected forty -years ago. - -The body of the martyr was laid in the earth near the spot where his -spirit left it. A British officer was sent to acquaint Washington -with his fate. A rude stone placed by the side of the grave of his -father, in the burial-ground of the Congregational Church in his -native town, for long years revealed to passers-by the fact that it -was in commemoration of "Nathan Hale, Esq., a captain in the army -of the United States, who was born June 6, 1755, received the first -honors of Yale College, September, 1773," and "resigned his life a -sacrifice to his country's liberty at New York, September 22, 1776, -aged twenty-two." An entry of his death was made upon the town records -of Coventry. - -Late in November, 1837--sixty-one years after his sacrifice--the -citizens of Coventry formed a "Hale Monument Association" for the -purpose of raising funds for the erection of a suitable memorial to -the memory of the young patriot. The association applied in vain to -Congress for aid. By fairs, tea-parties, private dramatic performances, -and other social appliances, carried on chiefly by the gentler sex, -and a grant of twelve hundred dollars by the State of Connecticut, a -sufficient sum was secured in 1846 to erect the desired monument. - -At one of the fairs, a poem, addressed to "The Daughters of Freedom," -and printed on white satin, was offered for sale, and was widely -distributed. It contained the following verses: - - "Ye come with hearts that oft have glowed - At his soul-stirring tale, - To wreath the deathless evergreen - Around the name of Hale. - - "Here his memorial stone shall rise - In freedom's hallowed shade, - Prouder than André's trophied tomb - 'Mid mightiest monarchs laid." - -[Illustration: The Hale Monument at Coventry.] - -The Hale memorial stands upon elevated ground near the Congregational -Church in South Coventry, and by the side of the old burial-ground in -which repose the remains of his nearest kindred. Toward the north it -overlooks the beautiful Lake Waugumbaug, in the pellucid waters of -which Hale angled in his boyhood and early youth. - -The monument was designed by Henry Austin, of New Haven, and was -erected under the superintendence of Solomon Willard, the architect of -the Bunker's Hill Monument. It was completed in the summer of 1846, at -a cost of three thousand seven hundred and thirty-four dollars. The -material is Quincy granite. Its form is seen in the engraving. The -height is forty-five feet, and it is fourteen feet square at its base. -The pedestal bears on its four sides the following inscriptions: - -_North side_: "CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE, 1776." _West side_: "Born at -Coventry, June 6, 1755." _East side_: "Died at New York, September 22, -1776." _South side_: "I REGRET THAT I HAVE BUT ONE LIFE TO LOSE FOR MY -COUNTRY." - -The fate of young Hale produced universal sorrow in the Continental -army and among the patriotic people. In the Whig newspapers of the day -tributes to his worth as a man and a patriot appeared in both prose -and verse.[9] During the War of 1812'-15, a little fort, erected -upon Black Rock, at the entrance to New Haven Harbor, on the site of -a smaller one, built during the Revolution, was named Fort Hale, the -first monument of stone that commemorated him. It has long been in -ruins. Then followed the simple structure built by his neighbors at -Coventry. Brief notices of the martyr have been given from time to time -in occasional poetic effusions and in oratory. Timothy Dwight, Hale's -tutor at Yale College, and afterward president of that institution, -wrote: - - "Thus while fond Virtue wished in vain to save, - HALE, bright and generous, found a hapless grave; - With genius' living flame his bosom glowed, - And Science lured him to her sweet abode. - In Worth's fair path his feet adventured far, - The pride of peace, the rising hope of war; - In duty firm, in danger calm as even, - To friends unchanging, and sincere to Heaven. - How short his course, the prize how early won! - While weeping Friendship mourns her favorite gone." - -I.W. Stuart, in his little biography of Hale,[10] has preserved -fragments of several poetic effusions. A short time after Hale's death, -an unknown personal friend of the martyr wrote a poem of one hundred -and sixty lines, in which he described the personal appearance of the -young soldier--tall and with "a beauteous face." Of his qualities of -temper and conduct he wrote: - - "Removed from envy, malice, pride, and strife, - He walked through goodness as he walked through life; - A kinder brother Nature never knew, - A child more duteous or a friend more true." - -Of Hale's motives in becoming a spy he wrote: - - "Hate of oppression's arbitrary plan, - The love of freedom, and the rights of man; - A strong desire to save from slavery's chain - The future millions of the Western main." - -The poet follows him in his career until he enters upon his perilous -mission under instructions from Washington. Of the final scene he wrote: - - "Not Socrates or noble Russell died. - Or gentle Sidney, Britain's boast and pride, - Or gen'rous Moore, approached life's final goal, - With more composed, more firm and stable soul." - -J.S. Babcock, of Coventry, wrote in the metre of Wolfe's "Sir John -Moore": - - "He fell in the spring of his early prime, - With his fair hopes all around him; - He died for his birth-land--a 'glorious crime'-- - Ere the palm of his fame had crowned him. - - "He fell in her darkness--he lived not to see - The noon of her risen glory; - But the name of the brave, in the hearts of the free, - Shall be twined in her deathless glory." - -In a poem delivered before the Linonian Society of Yale College, at its -centennial anniversary in 1853, a society of which Hale was a member, -Francis M. Finch said, in allusion to the martyr: - - "To drum-beat and heart-beat, - A soldier marches by; - There is color on his cheek, - There is courage in his eye; - Yet to drum-beat and heart-beat - In a moment he must die. - - "By starlight and moonlight - He seeks the Briton's camp; - He hears the rustling flag, - And that armèd sentry's tramp; - And the starlight and moonlight - His silent wanderings lamp. - - "With slow tread, and still tread, - He scans the tented-line; - And he counts the battery-guns - By the gaunt and shadowy pine; - And his slow tread and still tread - Gives no warning sign. - - "The dark wave, the plumed wave, - It meets his eager glance, - And it sparkles 'neath the stars - Like the glimmer of a lance; - A dark wave, a plumed wave, - On an emerald expanse. - - * * * * * - - "With calm brow, steady brow, - He listens to his doom; - In his look there is no fear, - Nor a shadow trace of gloom; - And with calm brow and steady brow - He robes him for the tomb. - - "In the long night, the still night, - He kneels upon the sod; - And the brutal guards withhold - E'en the solemn Word of God! - In the long night, the still night, - He walks where Christ hath trod! - - "'Neath the blue morn, the sunny morn, - He dies upon the tree; - And he mourns that he can lose - But one life for Liberty; - And in the blue morn, the sunny morn - His spirit-wings are free! - - * * * * * - - "From fame-leaf and angel-leaf, - From monument and urn, - The sad of earth, the glad of heaven, - His tragic fate shall learn; - And on fame-leaf and angel-leaf - The name of HALE shall burn!" - -At the dedication of a monument in 1853, erected on the spot near -Tarrytown where André was captured, the late Henry J. Raymond, in an -address on the occasion, said: - -"At an early stage of the Revolution, NATHAN HALE, captain in the -American army, which he had entered, abandoning brilliant prospects -of professional distinction for the sole purpose of defending the -liberties of his country--gifted, educated, ambitious--the equal of -André in talent, in worth, in amiable manners, and in every manly -quality, and his superior in that final test of character--the motives -by which his acts were prompted and his life was guided--laid aside -every consideration personal to himself, and entered upon a service -of infinite hazard to life and honor, because Washington deemed -it important to the sacred cause to which both had been sacredly -set apart. Like André, he was found in the hostile camp; like him, -though without trial, he was adjudged as a spy; and, like him, he was -condemned to death. - -"And here the likeness ends. No consoling word, no pitying or -respectful look, cheered the dark hours of his doom. He was met with -insult at every turn. The sacred consolations of the minister of -God were denied him; the Bible was taken from him; with an excess of -barbarity hard to be paralleled in civilized war, his dying letters -of farewell to his mother and sisters were destroyed in his presence; -and, uncheered by sympathy, mocked by brutal power, and attended only -by that sense of duty, incorruptible, undefiled, which had ruled his -life--finding a fit farewell in the serene and sublime regret that he -had 'but _one_ life to lose for his country'--he went forth to meet the -great darkness of an ignominious death. - -"The loving hearts of his early companions have erected a neat monument -to his memory in his native town; but, beyond that little circle, where -stands his name recorded? While the majesty of England, in the person -of her sovereign, sent an embassy across the sea to solicit the remains -of André at the hands of his foes, that they might be enshrined in that -sepulchre where she garners the relics of her mighty and renowned sons-- - - 'Splendid in their ashes, pompous in the grave,' - -the children of Washington have left the body of HALE to sleep in its -unknown tomb, though it be on his native soil, unhonored by any outward -observance, unmarked by any memorial stone. Monody, eulogy, monument of -marble or of brass, and of letters more enduring than all, have in his -own land and in ours given the name and fate of André to the sorrowing -remembrance of all time to come. American genius has celebrated his -praises, has sung of his virtues, and exalted to heroic heights his -prayer, manly but personal to himself, for choice in the manner of -death--his dying challenge to all men to witness the courage with which -he met his fate. But where, save on the cold page of history, stands -the record of HALE? Where is the hymn that speaks to immortality, and -tells of the added brightness and enhanced glory when his soul joined -its noble host? And where sleep the American of Americans, that their -hearts are not stirred to solemn rapture at the thought of the sublime -love of country which buoyed him not alone 'above the fear of death,' -but far beyond all thought of himself, of his fate and his fame, or of -anything less than his country--and which shaped his dying breath into -the sacred sentence which trembled at the last upon his quivering lip?" - -These eloquent words have a deeper significance to-day than when they -were uttered a generation ago. It is a just reproach to a nation of -nearly sixty million freemen, rich and powerful beyond any other people -on the globe, that the memory of NATHAN HALE, their self-sacrificing -benefactor in purpose, and a true and noble martyr in the cause of -the liberty they enjoy, has been, until lately, absolutely neglected -by them; that no "monody, eulogy, monument of marble or of brass," -dedicated to him by the public voice, appears anywhere in our broad -land. But there are now abundant promises that this reproach will be -speedily removed. An earnest effort was begun by the "Daily Telegraph," -a morning journal of New York city, late in 1885, to procure funds by -half-dime or "nickel" subscriptions, sufficient to erect a suitable -monument to the memory of NATHAN HALE, in the city of New York, where -he suffered martyrdom. There is also a project on foot for the erection -of a statue of Hale in the Connecticut State Capitol at Hartford. For -this purpose the State of Connecticut has appropriated five thousand -dollars. - -Let the conscience of our people, inspired by gratitude and patriotism, -be fairly awakened to the propriety of the undertaking, and funds will -speedily be forthcoming sufficient to erect a magnificent monument -in memory of NATHAN HALE, in the city where he died for his country. -I recommend, as a portion of the inscription upon the monument, the -subjoined epitaph, written fully thirty years ago, by George Gibbs, the -ripe scholar and antiquary, who was at one time the librarian of the -New York Historical Society:[11] - - STRANGER, BENEATH THIS STONE - LIES THE DUST OF - A SPY, - WHO PERISHED UPON THE GIBBET; - YET - THE STORIED MARBLES OF THE GREAT, - THE SHRINES OF HEROES, - ENTOMBED NOT ONE MORE WORTHY OF - HONOR - THAN HIM WHO HERE - SLEEPS HIS LAST SLEEP. - NATIONS - BOW WITH REVERENCE BEFORE THE DUST - OF HIM WHO DIES - A GLORIOUS DEATH, - URGED ON BY THE SOUND OF THE - TRUMPET - AND THE SHOUTS OF - ADMIRING THOUSANDS. - BUT WHAT REVERENCE, WHAT HONOR, - IS NOT DUE TO ONE - WHO FOR HIS COUNTRY ENCOUNTERED - EVEN AN INFAMOUS DEATH, - SOOTHED BY NO SYMPATHY, - ANIMATED BY NO PRAISE! - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 5: Her name was Alice Adams. She was a native of Canterbury, -Connecticut, and was distinguished both for her intelligence and -personal beauty. After Hale's death she married Eleazar Ripley, who -left her a widow, with one child, at the age of eighteen years. The -child died about a year after its father's death, and the mother -subsequently married William Lawrence, of Hartford, where she lived -until September, 1845, when she died at the age of eighty-eight -years. She possessed a miniature of Hale and many of his letters. The -miniature and the letters disappeared many years ago, and there is no -likeness of the young martyr extant. The last words uttered by Hale's -betrothed were, "Write to Nathan!"--Stuart's "Life of Nathan Hale," p. -28.] - -[Footnote 6: The place of Hale's execution has been a subject of -conjecture. Some have supposed that it occurred near the Beekman -mansion, Howe's headquarters; others, that he was taken from the -Provost Prison (now the Hall of Records), in the City Hall Park, to -the usual place of execution of state criminals, at the Barracks near -Chambers Street; and others, on the farm of Colonel Rutgers, whose -country mansion was near the East River--at Pike and Monroe Streets. - -In 1849 I visited the venerable Jeremiah Johnson, ex-Mayor of Brooklyn, -who was living at his farm-house not far from the Navy-Yard, then -between the city of Brooklyn and the village of Williamsburgh. -Among other interesting facts concerning the Revolution, of his own -experience and observation, which he had treasured in his memory, was -that his father was present at the execution of Hale. Like other Long -Island farmers at that time, he went to New York occasionally with -truck. On the day of the great fire he was there, when himself and his -team were pressed into the service of the British. He was with the -detachment on Colonel Rutgers's farm at the time of the execution, -and saw the martyr hanged upon the limb of an apple-tree in Rutgers's -orchard. It was at the west side, not far from the line of (present) -East Broadway.] - -[Footnote 7: The method employed at military executions at that time -was to place a ladder against the gallows-beam or limb, cause the -prisoner to ascend it a few feet, and, at a given signal, turn the -ladder and leave the victim suspended.] - -[Footnote 8: The pen of every writer who has noticed the career of -William Cunningham, the notorious provost-marshal of the British army -in New York and Philadelphia, has portrayed him as a most detestable -character. To the credit of the commander with whom he served, be it -said that it is satisfactorily proven that he was employed directly -by the British ministry, and was independent of the authority of Howe -and Clinton. He was a large, burly, red-haired, red-faced Irishman, -sixty years of age, addicted to strong drink to excess, and with most -forbidding features. His cruelties and crimes committed while in charge -of prisoners of war in New York were notorious and monstrous. Upon the -scaffold in England, after the war, he confessed that he had caused the -death of fully two thousand prisoners under his charge by starvation -and otherwise. He put poison into their food at times, and sold their -rations for his own benefit, allowing the prisoners to starve!] - -[Footnote 9: A ballad was written and published, soon after Hale's -death, which was very popular at the time. It was evidently written by -one who was not well informed as to the true history of the matter. Of -his arrest the ballad says: - - "Cooling shades of the night were coming apace, - The tattoo had beat, the tattoo had beat, - The noble one sprang from his dark lurking-place, - To make his retreat, to make his retreat. - - "He warily trod on the dry, rustling leaves - As he passed through the wood, as he passed through the wood, - And silently gained his rude launch on the shore, - As she played with the flood, as she played with the flood. - - "The guards of the camp on that dark, dreary night - Had a murderous will, a murderous will; - They took him and bore him afar from the shore, - To a hut on the hill, to a hut on the hill."] - -[Footnote 10: "Life of Captain Nathan Hale, the Martyr Spy of the -American Revolution." By I.W. Stuart, Hartford, 1856.] - -[Footnote 11: A statue in plaster, modeled from a description of -Hale's features and person, has been made by E.S. Wood, sculptor. It -represents an athletic young man, with his coat and vest removed, his -neck and upper portion of his chest bared by the turning down of the -collar of his ruffled shirt, and holding in his right hand, which is -resting upon his hip, the rope with which he is about to be suspended -from the tree. The face of the martyr is an excellent ideal of the -character of the young hero.] - - - - -JOHN ANDRÉ. - -[Illustration: John André] - - - - -JOHN ANDRÉ. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - -It is not known whether the place of JOHN ANDRÉ'S nativity was in -London or elsewhere in England. His father was a Switzer, born in -Geneva. He was a merchant in London, where he married a pretty French -maiden named Girardot, a native of that city, who in the year 1751 -became the mother of the famous British spy. - -Of André's childhood and early youth very little is known, even of the -scenes of his primary education. Later, we find him at the University -in Geneva; and, when he was approaching young manhood, he was -distinguished for many accomplishments and solid acquirements. He had -mastered several European languages, and was an expert mathematician. -He was versed in military science, and had a wide acquaintance with -_belles-lettres_ literature. He was an adept in music, dancing, and the -arts of design, and was specially commended for his military drawings. - -André had a taste and a desire for military life; but, before he was -seventeen years of age, he was called home to take a place in his -father's counting-room. At that time his family lived at the Manor -House, Clapton, where his father died in the spring of 1769. The family -then consisted of the widow, two sons, and three daughters. Of these -John was the oldest and Anna was the youngest--the "tuneful Anna," as -Miss Seward calls her in her "Monody," because of her poetic genius. - -John, though so young, was now a chief manager of his father's business -and the head of his mother's household. The summer of 1769 was spent -by the family at little villages in the interior of England, in the -picturesque region of Lichfield, a famous cathedral town, in which Dr. -Johnson was born, and at its grammar-school he and Addison and Garrick -received their earlier education. - -In that delightful neighborhood young André formed an acquaintance -with Miss Anna Seward, the bright and charming daughter of Rev. -Thomas Seward, canon-resident of Lichfield Cathedral, who lived in -the bishop's palace. His daughter, then twenty-two years of age, was -already distinguished as a poet. Her home was the gathering-place -of the local literary celebrities of that day--Dr. Erasmus Darwin, -author of "The Botanic Garden," and grandfather of the champion -of the doctrine of evolution in our day; Thomas Hayley, author of -"The Triumphs of Temper"; Sir Brooke Boothby, who wrote "Fables and -Satires"; Richard Lovell Edgeworth, a "gay Lothario," with some -literary pretensions; Thomas Day, an eccentric philosopher, who wrote -the story of "Sandford and Merton," once as popular as "Robinson -Crusoe"; the blind and ill-humored Miss Anna Williams, the biographer -of the Emperor Julian; and other residents or occasional sojourners. - -Miss Seward was the central figure in this literary circle. Her -personal beauty, vivacity, wit, and charming conversational powers, -were very fascinating. Into that galaxy John André was introduced and -gave it additional luster. - -The young London merchant also became acquainted with another maiden -near his own age. She is represented as exceedingly lovely in person -and character. Her eyes were blue, her hair was of a golden color, and -her complexion was brilliant, heightened in its charms, perhaps, by a -hectic glow upon her cheek--the sad prophecy of the early fading of -youthful beauty and of life. The maiden was Honora Sneyd, an inmate of -the family of Canon Seward, and the loved companion of Anna. - -[Illustration: Honora Sneyd.--(From a painting by Romney.)[12]] - -André was then eighteen years of age; a handsome, slender, graceful, -and vivacious youth, with features as delicate as those of a girl, -and accomplished beyond most young men of his time. He was five feet -nine inches in height, dark complexion, dark eyes, brown hair, with -a somewhat serious and tender expression. His manners were easy and -insinuating. The young couple fell desperately in love with each other -at their first meeting. - -Anna was delighted, and she fostered the passion. The lovers were -betrothed before the summer was over; but "Love's young dream" was -disturbed. The father of Miss Sneyd and the mother of André decided -that both were too young for wedlock then, and it was agreed that at -least two years should intervene between betrothal and nuptials. It was -also deemed proper that they should be kept apart as much as possible -during that period, in order to test the strength and reality of their -attachment, and for other prudential reasons. - -With this understanding André returned to his desk in London, a hundred -and twenty miles away. He had sketched two miniatures of Miss Sneyd. -One he gave to Anna Seward, the other he placed in a locket and carried -it in his bosom. He also arranged for a correspondence between Miss -Seward and himself, of which Honora was to be the chief burden. Three -of these letters have been preserved, and are printed in this volume. -"His epistolary writings," says Dr. Sparks, "so far as specimens of -them have been preserved, show a delicacy of sentiment, a playfulness -of imagination, and an ease of style, which could proceed only from -native refinement and a high degree of culture." - -André had an aversion to mercantile pursuits, and had told his -Lichfield friends that he greatly preferred the military profession. -Miss Seward urged him to stick to his desk, as the only sure promise -of a competence which would enable him to marry Honora. Her persuasion -prevailed, and he resolved to remain a merchant, for a time at least. -In one of his letters to her he wrote: - -"I know you will interest yourself in my destiny. I have now completely -subdued my aversion to the profession of a merchant, and hope, in time, -to acquire an inclination for it.... When an impertinent consciousness -whispers in my ear that I am not of the right stuff for a merchant, -I draw my Honora's picture from my bosom, and the sight of that dear -talisman so inspirits my industry that no toil seems oppressive." - -This correspondence was kept up several months, but André's suit did -not prosper. Distance, separation, and various circumstances cooled the -ardor of Miss Sneyd's love for her young admirer, and correspondence -between them ceased. She had other suitors; and, in 1773, she married -Richard Lovell Edgeworth, a gay young widower of twenty-five, who -possessed a handsome fortune in the form of a fine estate in Ireland. -Honora became the mother of Maria Edgeworth, the novelist. She died -of consumption a few years afterward. In compliance with her dying -request, her husband married her sister Elizabeth for his third wife. - -André remained faithful to his first love, and carried Honora's -miniature in his bosom until he died. He abandoned the mercantile -business in 1771, joined the royal army with the commission of -lieutenant in 1772, and went over to Germany. He joined his -regiment--the Royal English Fusileers--in Canada, late in 1774, having -made a farewell visit to his stanch friend Miss Seward before he sailed -for America. During that visit a singular circumstance occurred. Miss -Seward took André a little distance from Lichfield to call upon two -literary friends, Mr. Cunningham, and a curate, the Rev. Mr. Newton. -She had apprised them of the intended visit. - -Mr. Cunningham afterward related to Miss Seward a singular dream he had -on the night before this visit. He was in a great forest. A horseman -approached at full speed. As he drew near, three men suddenly sprang -from their concealment in bushes, seized the rider, and took him away. -The appearance of the captive's face was deeply impressed upon the -dreamer's memory. He awoke, fell asleep again, and dreamed. He was -now in a vast crowd of people, near a great city. The man whom he saw -captured in the forest was now brought forth and hanged. This dream was -related to the curate the next morning, and when, a while afterward, -Miss Seward with her friend arrived, Mr. Cunningham recognized in André -the person he saw captured and hanged. - -Other presaging visions concerning André's fate have been related, some -of them being undoubtedly pure fiction. For example: Soon after the -evacuation of Philadelphia by the British in 1778, and the Americans -had taken possession of the city, some of the Continental officers gave -a dinner-party to Washington at a spacious mansion in the suburbs, once -belonging to one of the Penn family. At that banquet were two ladies -who had known Major André during the British occupation, and had dined -with him at this Penn mansion. As they were passing through a grove -near the house on that occasion, they both saw at the same moment the -body of a man suspended from a limb, and recognized his features as -those of André. They spoke of the vision at the table, and were laughed -at; even Washington joining in the merriment. This ghost-story may be -thus disposed of: Washington was not in Philadelphia at any time in the -year 1778. At the time above mentioned he was chasing Sir Henry Clinton -across New Jersey. - -The following account appears to be well authenticated: A feminine -friend of Miss Mary Hannah, a sister of André, shared a bed with her -one night at about the time of her brother's execution. The friend was -awakened by the loud sobs of Miss André, who said she had seen her -brother made a prisoner. Her friend soothed her into quiet, and both -fell asleep. Soon Miss André again awoke her friend, and said she had -again seen her brother on trial as a spy. She described the scene with -great particularity. Again she was quieted, and both fell asleep. Again -she aroused her friend by screaming, "They are hanging him!" They both -made a memorandum of the affair. The next mail brought the sad news of -André's execution at about the time when his sister, Mary Hannah, saw -him in her vision. - -Lieutenant André journeyed from England to Quebec, by way of -Philadelphia. Why did he take this roundabout course? He arrived at -Philadelphia in September (1774), just after the first Continental -Congress began its session there. His abilities as a keen observer -of men and things were well known to General Carleton, the Governor -of Canada, who arrived at Quebec from England while André was in -Philadelphia. May not that astute officer have directed André, -before he left England, to go to Philadelphia as a spy, to learn -what he could of the condition of public affairs, and the temper of -the people in the disturbed colonies, and especially the designs of -the Continental Congress? From Philadelphia he went to New York and -Boston, and thence by water to Quebec, everywhere traveling, without -recognition, in citizen's dress. He undoubtedly carried to Carleton -much valuable information which that wide-awake officer desired to -know. André arrived at Quebec early in November. - -A year later Lieutenant André was made a prisoner of war when -Montgomery captured the fort at St. Johns, on the Sorel. "I have been -taken a prisoner by the Americans," André wrote to Miss Seward, "and -stripped of everything except the picture of Honora, which I concealed -in my mouth. Preserving this, I yet think myself fortunate." He and -his fellow-prisoners were taken first to Connecticut, and then to -Lancaster and Carlisle in Pennsylvania. There he made many friends by -his urbanity, his refined tastes, and his accomplishments. He taught -the children of citizens the art of drawing in a free and easy style; -and he was a welcome guest in the higher social circles, was made a -participant in all their pleasure-parties, and so added to their own -enjoyments. - -Toward the close of 1776 André was exchanged and joined the British -army in New York, then commanded by General Howe. To that officer -he presented a memoir on the existing war, which was very favorably -received. He had kept a journal ever since he came to America, in -which both pen and pencil were jointly employed in the delineation and -description of everything of interest which came under his observation, -and this furnished him with much material for his memoir. Howe was -delighted with his young soldier, and as soon as a vacancy occurred he -gave him the position of aide on the staff of General Grey, with the -rank of captain. He was now fairly in the line of promotion which his -signal abilities entitled him to receive. - -André served with distinction as a staff-officer. He was the soul of -the military social circle during the occupation of Philadelphia by the -British army in the winter and spring of 1778. His pen, his pencil, and -his brush, were continually busy in satirizing and caricaturing the -"rebel" officers, or in dramatic exhibitions. He was a leader in all -the social amusements of the army, the chief of which were theatrical -performances. In these André was dramatist, actor, song-writer, and -manager. He wrote prologues and localized plays, and was the chief -manager of weekly balls. In a word, he was leader in setting on foot -scenes of gayety and extravagance that were long remembered and -lamented. André occupied the house of Dr. Franklin for several months. -He carried away some valuable books. - -Many of the young officers were scions of the British nobility, -and possessed ample means for the gratification of any desire. The -infection of demoralization that spread through the army and society -was fearful. The army suffered much. Dr. Franklin said, "Howe did -not take Philadelphia--Philadelphia took Howe." Cupid scattered his -darts so widely and with such effect among the soldiers, that in the -flight of the British army across New Jersey, on the evacuation of -Philadelphia, fully six hundred soldiers deserted and returned to their -sweethearts and lately married wives. - -Many of the fair daughters of the Philadelphia loyalists were -captivated by the young British officers. Among the latter was not -one more fascinating than Major André, and no one was more welcome -into the best society. He formed warm friendships with several leading -families; among others, that of Edward Shippen, one of the wealthiest -and most cultivated citizens, whose youngest daughter married General -Benedict Arnold. - -Late in May, 1778, General Howe surrendered the command of the army -into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton, and prepared to return to England. -The officers of the army, who were very much attached to him, resolved -to give him a spectacular parting entertainment which should eclipse in -novelty and splendor anything ever seen in America. In the conception -and preparation of the entertainment the genius of André, in all its -phases, was brought into requisition. He designed the decorations, the -costumes to be worn, even the ticket of admission to the show. The -entertainment was called _Mischianza_--a medley. It was given at the -country-seat of Thomas Wharton, a Philadelphia Quaker--a fine, stately -mansion, with spacious grounds around it, standing near the present -navy-yard. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 12: In a letter to the Right Honorable Lady Butler, dated -Lichfield, June 4, 1798, Miss Seward speaks of the picture as follows: -"Honora Sneyd, after she became Mrs. Edgeworth, sat to Smart, at -that time a celebrated miniature-painter. He totally missed the -likeness which Major André had, from his then inexperience in the -art, so faintly and with so little justice to her beauty, caught. -Romney accidentally, and without ever having beheld her, produced it -completely. Yes, he drew, to represent the Serena of the 'Triumph -of Temper,' his own abstract idea of perfect loveliness, and the -form of the face of Honora Sneyd rose beneath his pencil." Serena is -represented reading by candle-light.] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - -In a letter to his friend Miss Seward, dated Philadelphia, May 23, -1778, Major André gave the following account of the great _fête_ in -honor of General Howe: - -"That our sentiments might be the more unreservedly and unequivocally -known, it was resolved among us that we should give him as splendid an -entertainment as the shortness of the time and our present situation -would allow us. For the expenses the whole army would most cheerfully -have contributed; but it was requisite to draw the line somewhere, -and twenty-two field-officers joined in a subscription adequate to a -plan they meant to adopt. I know your curiosity will be raised on this -occasion; I shall, therefore, give you as particular an account of our -_Mischianza_[13] as I have been able to collect. - -[Illustration: The Mischianza Ticket.--(Drawn by Major André.)[14]] - -"From the name you will perceive that it was made up from a variety -of entertainments. Four of the gentlemen subscribers were appointed -managers--Sir John Wrottesley, Colonel O'Hara, Major Gardiner, and -Montressor, the chief engineer. On the tickets of admission which -they gave out for Monday, the 18th, was engraved, in a shield, a view -of the sea, with the setting sun, and in a wreath the words '_Luceo -discedens, aucto splendore resurgam._' At top was the general's crest, -with '_vive! vale!_' All round the shield ran a vignette, and various -military trophies filled up the ground.[15] - -[Illustration: Lady's Head-Dress. - -(Drawn by Major André.)] - -"A grand regatta began the entertainment. It consisted of three -divisions. In the first place was the _Ferret_ galley, having on board -several general officers and a number of ladies. In the center was the -_Hussar_ galley, with Sir William and Lord Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, -the officers of their suite, and some ladies. The _Cornwallis_ galley -brought up the rear, having on board General Knyphausen and his suite, -the British generals, and a party of ladies. On each quarter of these -galleys, and forming their division, were five flat-boats, lined with -green cloth, and filled with ladies and gentlemen. In front of the -whole were three flat-boats, with a band of music in each. Six barges -rowed about each flank, to keep off the swarm of boats that covered -the river from side to side. The galleys were dressed out in a variety -of colors and streamers, and on each flat-boat was displayed the flag -of its own division. In the stream opposite the center of the city the -_Fanny_, armed ship, magnificently decorated, was placed at anchor; -and at some distance ahead lay his Majesty's ship _Roebuck_, with the -admiral's flag hoisted at the foretopmast-head. The transport ships, -extending in a line the whole length of the town, appeared with colors -flying and crowded with spectators, as were also the openings of the -several wharves on the shore, exhibiting the most picturesque and -enlivening scene the eye could desire. The rendezvous was at Knight's -wharf, at the north end of the city."[16] - - * * * * * - -After giving an account of the aquatic procession down the river, André -continues: - -"The landing-place was the Old Fort, a little to the southward of the -town,[17] fronting the building prepared for the reception of the -company, about four hundred yards from the water by a gentle ascent. As -soon as the general's barge was seen to push for the shore, a salute of -seventeen guns was fired from the _Roebuck_, and, after some interval, -by the same number by the _Vigilant_. The company, as they disembarked, -arranged themselves into a line of procession, and advanced through an -avenue formed by the two files of grenadiers, and a line of light horse -supporting each file. This avenue led to a square lawn of two hundred -and fifty yards on each side, lined with troops, and properly prepared -for the exhibition of a tilt and tournament, according to the customs -and ordinances of ancient chivalry. We proceeded through the center of -the square. The music, consisting of all the bands of the army, moved -in front. The managers, with favors of white and blue ribbons on their -breasts, followed next in order. The general, admiral, and the rest of -the company, succeeded promiscuously. - -"In front of the building, bounding the view through a vista formed by -two triumphal arches, erected at proper intervals in a line with the -landing-place, two pavilions, with rows of benches rising one above -another, and serving as the wings of the first triumphal arch, received -the ladies, while the gentlemen ranged themselves in convenient order -on each side. On the front seat of each pavilion were placed seven of -the principal young ladies of the country, dressed in Turkish habits, -and wearing on their turbans the favors with which they meant to -reward the several knights who were to contend in their honor. These -arrangements were scarcely made, when the sound of trumpets was heard -at a distance; and a band of knights, dressed in ancient habits of -white and red silk, and mounted on gray horses, richly caparisoned in -trappings of the same colors, entered the lists, attended by their -esquires on foot, in suitable apparel, in the following order: - -"Four trumpeters, properly habited, their trumpets decorated with small -pendent banners. A herald in his robes of ceremony; on his tunic was -the device of his band, two roses intertwined, with the motto--'_We -droop when separated_.' - -"Lord Cathcart, superbly mounted on a managed horse, appeared as chief -of these knights; two young black slaves, with sashes and drawers of -blue and white silk, wearing large silver clasps round their necks and -arms, their breasts and shoulders bare, held his stirrups. On his right -hand walked Captain Harard, and on his left Captain Brownlow, and his -two esquires, the one bearing his lance, the other his shield. His -device was Cupid riding on a lion; the motto--'_Surmounted by Love_.' -His lordship appeared in honor of Miss Auchmuty.[18] - -"Then came in order the knights of his band, each attended by his -'squire, bearing his lance and shield. - -"First knight, Hon. Captain Cathcart,[19] in honor of Miss N. -White.--'Squire, Captain Peters.--Device, a heart and sword; -motto--'_Love and Honor_.' - -"Second knight, Lieutenant Bygrove, in honor of Miss Craig.--'Squire, -Lieutenant Nichols.--Device, Cupid tracing a circle; motto--'_Without -End_.' - -"Third knight, Captain André, in honor of Miss P. Chew.[20]--'Squire, -Lieutenant André.[21]--Device, two game-cocks fighting; motto--'_No -rival_.' - -"Fourth knight, Captain Horneck, in honor of Miss N. Redmond.--'Squire, -Lieutenant Talbot.--Device, a burning heart; motto--'_Absence can not -extinguish_.' - -"Fifth knight, Captain Mathews, in honor of Miss Bond.--'Squire, -Lieutenant Hamilton.--Device, a winged heart; motto--'_Each fair by -turns_.' - -"Sixth knight, Lieutenant Sloper, in honor of Miss M. -Shippen.[22]--'Squire, Lieutenant Brown.--Device, a heart and sword; -motto--'_Honor and the fair_.'" - -[Illustration: The Joust at the Tournament.] - -After they had made the circuit of the square, and saluted the ladies -as they passed before the pavilion, they ranged themselves in a line -with that in which were the ladies of their device; and their herald -(Mr. Beaumont) advancing into the center of the square, after a -flourish of trumpets, proclaimed the following challenge: - -"The Knights of the Blended Rose, by me, their herald, proclaim and -assert that the Ladies of the Blended Rose excel in wit, beauty, and -every accomplishment, those of the whole world; and should any knight -or knights be so hardy as to dispute or deny it, they are ready to -enter the lists with them, and maintain their assertions by deeds of -arms, according to the laws of ancient chivalry." - -At the third repetition of this challenge, the sound of trumpets was -heard from the opposite side of the square; and another herald, with -four trumpeters, dressed in black-and-orange, galloped into the lists. -He was met by the Herald of the Blended Rose, and, after a short -parley, they both advanced in front of the pavilions, when the black -herald (Lieutenant Moore) ordered his trumpets to sound, and thus -proclaimed defiance to the challenge in the following words: - -"The Knights of the Burning Mountain present themselves here, not to -contest by words, but to disprove by deeds, the vainglorious assertions -of the Knights of the Blended Rose, and enter these lists to maintain -that the Ladies of the Burning Mountain are not excelled in beauty, -virtue, or accomplishments, by any in the universe." - -He then returned to the part of the barrier through which he had -entered, and shortly afterward the Black Knights, attended by their -'squires, rode into the lists in the following order: - -"Four trumpeters preceding the herald, on whose tunic was represented a -mountain sending forth flames; motto--'_I burn forever_.' - -"Captain Watson, of the Guards, as chief, dressed in a magnificent suit -of black-and-orange silk, and mounted on a black managed horse, with -trappings of the same color with his own dress, appeared in honor of -Miss Franks. He was attended in the same manner with Lord Cathcart. -Captain Scott bore his lance and Lieutenant Lytton his shield. The -device, a heart, with a wreath of flowers; motto--'_Love and glory_.' - -"First knight, Lieutenant Underwood, in honor of Miss S. -Shippen.--'Squire, Ensign Haserkam.--Device, a pelican feeding her -young; motto--'_For those I love_.' - -"Second knight, Lieutenant Wingard, in honor of Miss R.P. -Shippen.--'Squire, Captain Boscawen.--Device, a bay-leaf; -motto--'_Unchangeable_.' - -"Third knight, Lieutenant Deleval, in honor of Miss B. Bond.--'Squire, -Captain Thorne.--Device, a heart, aimed at by several arrows, and -struck by one; motto--'_Only one pierces me_.' - -"Fourth knight, Monsieur Montluissent (Lieutenant of the Hessian -Chasseurs), in honor of Miss B. Redman.--'Squire, Captain -Campbell.--Device, a sunflower turning toward the sun; motto--'_Je vise -à vous_.' - -"Fifth knight, Lieutenant Hobart, in honor of Miss S. Chew.--'Squire, -Lieutenant Briscoe.--Device, Cupid piercing a coat-of-mail with his -arrow; motto--'_Proof to all but love_.' - -"Sixth knight, Brigade-Major Tarleton, in honor of Miss W. -Smith.--'Squire, Captain Heart.--Device, a light dragoon; -motto--'_Swift, vigilant, and bold_.' - -"After they had rode round the lists, and made their obeisance to -the ladies, they drew up, fronting the White Knights; and the chief -of them having thrown down his gauntlet, the Chief of the Black -Knights directed his esquire to take it up. The knights then received -their lances from their esquires, fixed their shields on their left -arms, and, making a general salute to each other by a very graceful -movement of their lances, turned round to take their career, and, -encountering in full gallop, shivered their spears. In the second and -third encounter they discharged their pistols. In the fourth they -fought with swords. At length the two chiefs, spurring forward into -the center, engaged furiously in single combat, till the marshal of -the field (Major Gwyne) rushed in between the chiefs and declared -that the Fair Damsels of the Blended Rose and Burning Mountain were -perfectly satisfied with the proofs of love and the signal feats of -valor given by their respective knights; and commanded them, as they -prized the future favors of their mistresses, that they would instantly -desist from further combat. Obedience being paid by the chiefs to the -order, they joined their respective bands. The White Knights and their -attendants filed off to the left, the Black Knights to the right, and, -after passing each other at the lower side of the quadrangle, moved up -alternately till they approached the pavilion of the ladies, where they -gave a general salute. - -"A passage being now opened between the pavilions, the knights, -preceded by their 'squires and the bands of music, rode through the -first triumphal arch and arranged themselves to the right and left. -This arch was erected in honor of Lord Howe. It presented two fronts, -in the Tuscan order; the pediment was adorned with various naval -trophies, and at the top was a figure of Neptune, with a trident -in his right hand. In a niche on each side stood a sailor with a -drawn cutlass. Three plumes of feathers were placed on the summit -of each wing, and on the entablature was this inscription: '_Laus -illi debetur, et a me gratia major_.' The interval between the two -arches was an avenue three hundred feet long and thirty-four broad. -It was lined on each side with a file of troops; and the colors of -all the army, planted at proper distances, had a beautiful effect in -diversifying the scene. - -"Between these colors the knights and 'squires took their stations. The -bands continued to play several pieces of martial music. The company -moved forward in procession, with the ladies in the Turkish habits in -front: as these passed they were saluted by their knights, who then -dismounted and joined them; and in this order we were all conducted -into a garden that fronted the house, through the second triumphal arch -dedicated to the general. This arch was also built in the Tuscan order. -On the interior part of the pediment were painted a Plume of Feathers -and various military trophies. At the top stood the figure of Fame, and -on the entablature these words--'_I, bone, quo virtuo tua le vocet; I -pede fausto_.' On the right-hand pillar was placed a bomb-shell, and -on the left a flaming heart. The front next the house was adorned with -preparations for a fire-work. - -"From the garden we ascended a flight of steps covered with carpets, -which led into a spacious hall; the panels, painted in imitation of -Sienna marble,[23] inclosing portions of white marble; the surbase and -all below were black. In this hall, and in the adjoining apartments, -were prepared tea, lemonade, and other cooling liquors, to which the -company seated themselves; during which time the knights came in, and -on the knee received their favors from their respective ladies. One of -these rooms was afterward appropriated to the use of the Pharaoh table. -As you entered it you saw, in a panel over the chimney, a cornucopia, -exuberantly filled with flowers of the richest colors. Over the door, -as you went out, another presented itself, shrunk, reversed, and -emptied. - -"From these apartments we were conducted up to a ballroom, decorated -in a light, elegant style of painting. The ground was a pale blue, -paneled with a small gold bead, and in the interior filled with -dropping festoons of flowers in their natural colors. Below the -surface the ground was of rose-pink, with drapery festooned in blue. -These decorations were heightened by eighty-five mirrors, decked with -rose-pink silk ribbons and artificial flowers; and in the intermediate -spaces were thirty-four branches with wax-lights, ornamented in a -similar manner. On the same floor were four drawing-rooms, with -sideboards of refreshments, decorated and lighted in the same style and -taste as the ballroom. - -"The ball was opened by the knights and their ladies, and the dances -continued till ten o'clock, when the windows were thrown open, and -a magnificent bouquet of rockets began the fire-works. These were -planned by Captain Montressor, the chief-engineer, and consisted of -twenty different exhibitions, displayed under his directions with -the happiest success and in the highest style of beauty. Toward the -conclusion the interior part of the triumphal arch was illuminated amid -an uninterrupted flight of rockets and bursting balloons. The military -trophies on each side assumed a variety of transparent colors. The -shell and flaming heart on the wings sent forth Chinese fountains, -succeeded by fire-works. Fame appeared at the top, spangled with stars, -and from her trumpet blowing the following device in letters of light: -'_Les lauriers sont immortels_.' A _sauteur_ of rockets bursting from -the pediment concluded the _feu d' artifice_. - -"At twelve supper was announced, and large folding-doors, hitherto -artfully concealed, being suddenly thrown open, discovered a -magnificent saloon of two hundred and ten feet by forty, and twenty-two -in height, with three alcoves on each side, which served for -sideboards. The ceiling was the segment of a circle, and the sides were -painted of a light straw-color, with vine-leaves and festoon-flowers, -some in a bright and some in a darkish green. Fifty-six large -pier-glasses, ornamented with green silk, artificial flowers, and -ribbons; a hundred branches with three lights in each, trimmed in the -same manner as the mirrors; eighteen lusters, each with twenty-four -lights, suspended from the ceiling, and ornamented as the branches; -three hundred wax-tapers disposed along the supper-tables; four hundred -and thirty covers; twelve hundred dishes; twenty-four black slaves, -in Oriental dresses, with silver collars and bracelets, ranged in two -lines and bending to the ground as the general and admiral approached -the saloon--all these, forming together the most brilliant assemblage -of gay objects, and appearing at once as we entered by an easy ascent, -exhibited a _coup d'oeil_ beyond description magnificent. - -"Toward the end of the supper the Herald of the Blended Rose, in his -habit of ceremony, attended by his trumpeters, entered the saloon, and -proclaimed the king's health, the queen and royal family, the army -and navy, with their respective commanders, the knights and their -ladies, and the ladies in general. Each of these toasts was followed -by a flourish of music. After supper we returned to the ballroom and -continued to dance until four o'clock." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 13: This account was printed in the "Lady's Magazine," with -which Miss Seward had a literary connection, in August, 1778.] - -[Footnote 14: This is one half the size of the original.] - -[Footnote 15: I copied this ticket from one of the originals in the -Franklin Library, at Philadelphia, in 1848. It is attached, with -drawings of a head-dress for the _Mischianza_, and a portrait of -Captain Cathcart, a son of Lord Cathcart, to his manuscript "Annals -of Philadelphia," deposited with this institution by the late John F. -Watson, Esq. The designs for the ticket and the other sketches were -made by André; and a _silhouette_ of Sir John Wrottesley, one of the -managers, was cut by André. They were presented to Mr. Watson by Miss -Craig, a participant in the _fête_. She was the chosen lady of the -Second Knight of the Blended Rose. André's drawings for the costumes of -the Ladies of the Blended Rose and Burning Mountain are preserved. The -form was a polonaise, or a flowing robe of white silk, with a spangled -pink sash and spangled shoes and stockings; a veil spangled and trimmed -with silver lace, and a towering head-dress of pearls and jewels. The -Ladies of the Burning Mountain had their polonaises and white sashes -bound with black. The engraving shows the style of the head-dress, -copied from André's drawing.] - -[Footnote 16: A little above Vine Street.] - -[Footnote 17: A little below the present navy-yard.] - -[Footnote 18: Miss Auchmuty was the only English maiden present. -She was about to become the bride of Captain Montressor, the chief -engineer. Watson says there were not more than fifty unmarried American -ladies present; the rest were all married.] - -[Footnote 19: Captain Cathcart, the son of Lord Cathcart, married a -daughter of Andrew Eliot, once a collector of customs at Philadelphia. -The young officer had been making love most vehemently to Miss Eliot -all winter. She was pretty, lively, and well educated. The captain -wrote her many letters, avowing his love for her, but much of his -conduct seems to have been mere coquetry. Miss Eliot was in earnest, -and received his attentions and his letters as genuine tokens of his -love. When it became evident that he meant to deceive her, her father -laid his letters before Sir Henry Clinton, of whose military family -young Cathcart was a member. Clinton advised the young man to marry -Miss Eliot. Cathcart wished to postpone it until the end of the war. -Clinton told him he had gone so far that he must marry her speedily or -leave his family. They were married in April, 1779. She was afterward -"Lady Cathcart," and appeared at court when her husband became an earl.] - -[Footnote 20: A daughter of Chief-Justice Chew.] - -[Footnote 21: A brother of Captain André, then nineteen years of age. -After André's death, he was knighted by the king.] - -[Footnote 22: Afterward the wife of Benedict Arnold.] - -[Footnote 23: The painting was done in distemper upon canvas, in the -manner of theatrical scene-painting. André was assisted in his art-work -by Captain Oliver De Lancey, of New York, an energetic leader of -loyalists. He married a daughter of David Franks. She was active in the -_Mischianza_ affair. Her sister married Colonel Johnson, of the British -army, who was in command at Stony Point, on the Hudson, when it was -captured by General Wayne in the summer of 1779.] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - -The _Mischianza_ was severely criticised in Great Britain and America, -as an undeserved compliment to an incompetent officer. Howe was an -indolent procrastinator, and fond of sensual indulgence; and he had not -only effected nothing of importance for his country in America, but had -hindered more competent men. He was charged by Galloway, a Philadelphia -Tory then in London, with "a vanity and presumption unparalleled in -history, after his indolence and wretched blunders," in accepting from -a few officers "a triumph more magnificent than would have become -the conqueror of America, without the consent of his sovereign or -approbation of his country." - -It is asserted that at Philadelphia Howe was openly licentious, kept -a mistress, loved his bottle inordinately, and engaged secretly in -business transactions for his own gain, similar to those with which -Benedict Arnold was charged, and caused him to be reprimanded by order -of Congress. Horace Walpole said, "He returned to England richer in -money than in laurels." Another said, "The only bays he possessed were -those that drew his carriage"; and still another, that "he has given -America to the Americans." And yet staid men, as well as romantic -enthusiasts like André, did not hesitate to award him honors which only -great heroes and most virtuous men deserve. André even wrote a fulsome -poetic address to be read to Howe during the _fête_. The general -exercised good sense by forbidding its utterance. - -The extreme folly of the _Mischianza_, under the peculiar -circumstances, was deplored by sensible men in and out of the army. -When an old British major of artillery, in Philadelphia, was asked by -a young person what was the distinction between the "Knights of the -Burning Mountain" and the "Knights of the Blended Rose," the veteran -replied: "The 'Knights of the Burning Mountain' are tom-fools, and the -'Knights of the Blended Rose' are damned fools! I know of no other -distinction between them." The old soldier, though a Briton, greatly -admired Washington. Placing a hand upon each knee, he added, in a tone -of deep mortification, "What will Washington think of this?" - -Just one month after this grand show at Philadelphia, a far grander and -more important spectacle was exhibited at that city. It was the sudden -flight of the whole British army from the town, across the Delaware -and over New Jersey, eagerly pressing toward New York; also the speedy -entrance of Continental troops into Philadelphia, and the return of -Congress. - -Sir Henry Clinton, now in chief command of the British army, was -making preparations for a vigorous campaign, when orders came from the -ministers to evacuate Philadelphia at once, to prevent a blockade of -the army and navy on the Delaware by a French fleet under D'Estaing, -then on its way to America. Clinton obeyed. Washington, with his -recuperated army at Valley Forge, pursued and overtook the fugitives -near Monmouth Court-House. There, on a very hot Sunday in June (28th), -a sanguinary but indecisive battle was fought. That night Clinton -secretly stole away with his whole force (while the wearied Americans -slept on their arms), and escaped to New York. - -Lord Howe had scarcely left the Capes of the Delaware, when D'Estaing -appeared. Howe sailed for New York, and anchored his fleet in Raritan -Bay. D'Estaing's larger vessels could not enter the shallow waters of -the bay, and sailed away for Rhode Island, to assist American troops -in expelling the British from that domain. A storm dispersed the two -fleets. The attempt at expulsion was a failure. Clinton sailed with -four thousand troops to strengthen British power on Rhode Island. -Thence he sent General Grey on a marauding expedition to New Bedford -and its vicinity. André accompanied him, and afterward wrote an amusing -poem, to the tune of "Yankee Doodle," entitled "Yankee Doodle's -Expedition to Rhode Island."[24] He also wrote a poem, in eighteen -stanzas, giving an amusing account of a duel between Christopher -Gadsden, of South Carolina, and General Robert Howe, of the Continental -army. This poem may be found in Sargent's "Life and Career of Major -André." Other poems, evidently from André's pen, ridiculing the -"rebels," frequently appeared in Rivington's "Royal Gazette," until the -tragedy that ended his life in the fall of 1780. - -Late in 1778 General Grey returned to England, when André took the -position of aide to General Clinton, with the rank of provincial major. -He evinced such eminent clerical and executive ability that early in -1779 he was made deputy adjutant-general of the British forces in -America. - -The city of New York continued to be the headquarters of the British -army until the close of the war. Clinton made his quarters at No. 1 -Broadway, a spacious house, with a garden extending to the Hudson -River. He also occupied the fine Beekman mansion at Turtle Bay as a -summer residence. - -The British officers made the city a theatre of great gayety. They were -continually engaged in every kind of amusement, to while away their -time when not on active duty. In these amusements Major André was ever -conspicuous, especially in dramatic performances; and there he freely -indulged his love for good-natured satirical writing. He wrote much for -Rivington's "Gazette" in prose and verse--political squibs, satires, -and lampoons--the "rebels" and their doings being his chief theme. - -It was at No. 1 Broadway that André wrote his best-known poem, "The -Cow-Chase," in imitation of "Chevy Chase." There he also wrote his most -elaborate prose composition, "A Dream." This he read aloud at a social -gathering, and it was published in Rivington's paper. In his position -on Clinton's staff he was able to exercise his ever-kindly disposition -toward the unfortunate, and never left unimproved an opportunity to do -so. - -Major André was with Sir Henry Clinton on an expedition up the Hudson -in May, 1779, when the British captured the American post of Stony -Point, and Fort Lafayette, on Verplanck's Point, opposite. When the -batteries of Fort Lafayette were silenced, André was sent to receive -the surrender of the garrison and the works. A few weeks later he -wrote a friendly letter to Margaret Shippen (then the wife of General -Benedict Arnold), in whose family the major had been a great favorite -while in Philadelphia. The letter was dated "Headquarters, New York, -the 16th of August, 1779." He offered to do some "shopping" in New York -for Mrs. Arnold, saying: - - "It would make me very happy to become useful to you here. You know - the _Mischianza_ made me a complete milliner. Should you not have - received supplies for your fullest equipment for that department, I - shall be glad to enter into the whole detail of cap-wire, needles, - gauze, etc., and to the best of my ability render you in these trifles - services from which I hope you would infer a zeal to be further - employed. I beg you would present my best respects to your sisters, to - the Miss Chews, and to Mrs. Shippen and Mrs. Chew. - - "I have the honor to be, with the greatest regard, madam, your most - obedient and most humble servant, - - "John André." - -General Arnold had been made military governor of Philadelphia after -the American troops and Congress repossessed it. He lived most -extravagantly. He kept a coach-and-four, with a coachman in livery; -gave sumptuous dinner parties, and charmed the gayer portion of -Philadelphia society by his princely display. He was keenly watched by -men who knew his character well, or envied his success as a soldier, -and he was hated by persons in exalted positions for his many bad -qualities. Among the latter was General Joseph Reed, then President -of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Early in 1779 that Council -submitted to Congress charges against Arnold of being guilty of -malfeasance in office. Congress referred the charges to a committee of -inquiry, whose report exculpated the general from all criminality in -the matter charged against him. - -Arnold promptly asked Congress to investigate the charges. He regarded -this report of the committee as a vindication of his character; but -he immediately urged Congress to act speedily upon the report. -Instead of doing so, the report was referred to a joint committee -of Congress and the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. They passed -a resolution to refer some of the charges to a court-martial, to be -appointed by Washington. When the charges were so referred, Arnold was -indignant, but was compelled to submit. He urged prompt action, but a -court-martial to try him was not convened until December following. -They gave their decision on the 26th of January, 1780. The accused was -acquitted of several of the charges, and of "all intentional wrong" -in the whole matter of the other charges; but it was decided that, -for "imprudent and improper conduct," he should be reprimanded by -the commander-in-chief. This was done in the most delicate manner by -Washington; but, as it implied a stigma upon his character, Arnold -was exceedingly indignant. This act doubtless stimulated him in his -treasonable undertaking, in which he appears to have been already -engaged for fully nine months. Dr. Sparks says: "He [Arnold] had -already made secret advances to the enemy under a feigned name, -intending to square his conduct according to circumstances; and -prepared, if the court decided against him, to seek revenge at any -hazard." - -There appears to be clear evidence that overtures were first made by -the other side, probably by Beverly Robinson,[25] to whom is attributed -a letter given by Marbois, who was attached to the French legation at -Philadelphia.[26] Be that as it may, it is known that correspondence -between General Arnold and Sir Henry Clinton began so early as the -spring of 1779. Arnold wrote in a disguised hand, and under the -assumed name of "Gustavus." The tenor of the correspondence was of a -commercial character, so as to mislead others. - -After the exchange of two or three letters, and with the impression -that "Gustavus" was an officer of high rank in the American army, -Clinton committed the task of carrying on the correspondence to Major -André, who wrote over the signature of "John Anderson," in a slightly -disguised hand. Not doubting that "Gustavus" was General Arnold, André -probably wrote the letter to Mrs. Arnold in August for the purpose of -making clear to her husband the name and character of "John Anderson" -by means of his handwriting: - -[Illustration: - - I am in behalf of Mi'm ---- and Co. - - Sin your Obed. Hble Servant - - Mr. John Anderson - - Merchant Gustavus - -Fac-simile of Arnold's Disguised Handwriting.] - -[Illustration: - - Let me entreat you Sir to favour a matter interesting to the parties - concerned. - - John Anderson - -Fac-simile of André's Disguised Handwriting.] - -Major André was with Sir Henry Clinton at the siege and capture of -Charleston in the spring of 1780, and there is clear evidence that he -played the part of a spy in that tragedy. It is asserted that Edward -Shrewsberry, a respectable citizen of Charleston, but a suspected Tory, -was ill at his house on East Bay during the siege. His Whig brother, -who belonged to the American army, frequently visited him. He saw at -his Tory brother's house, on several occasions, a young man clad in -homespun, who was introduced to him as a Virginian, also belonging -to the patriot army. After the capitulation, and the British were -in possession of the city, the Continental soldier saw at the house -of his sick brother the same young man, but in different apparel, -who was introduced to him as Major André, of the British army. His -brother afterward confessed that the major and the homespun-clad young -"Virginian" were one and the same man. To another visitor this young -man in homespun was introduced by Shrewsberry as "a back-country -man who had brought down cattle for the garrison." He was afterward -informed that the cattle-driver was Major André. - -If these assertions be true--and there is no reason for doubting their -truth--Major André did not hesitate, when an occasion offered, to play -the part of a spy for the benefit of his king and country. Six months -afterward, when circumstances had placed him in that position, and he -was a prisoner, he expressed, in a letter to Washington, a desire to -rescue himself from "an imputation of having assumed a mean character -for treacherous purposes or self-interest." - -In the early autumn of 1780 Major André was made adjutant-general -of the British forces in America. He was then busy in consummating -the intrigue and conspiracy with Arnold. The time had arrived when -it had become necessary to bring matters to a head--to settle upon a -definite plan and time for action, terms, etc. Arnold had, at his own -earnest solicitation, been appointed to the command at West Point and -its dependencies in August, and had resolved to surrender that strong -post into the hands of the enemies of his country. It was an object of -covetous desire on the part of the British, for the possession of it -would open a free communication between New York and Canada, which they -had been endeavoring to secure ever since the invasion of Burgoyne in -1777. The subject of the surrender of West Point was the burden of the -correspondence between Arnold and André early in September. - -At midsummer, 1780, an occasion drew from Major André's pen his most -notable satirical poem, in imitation, in structure and metre, of the -famous old British ballad, "Chevy Chase." It appears to have been -written for the twofold purpose of gratifying his own quick perception -of the ludicrous and to retaliate in kind the satirical attacks of -Whig writers upon him and his friends. The occasion was an expedition -in July against a block-house on the west bank of the Hudson, three -or four miles below Fort Lee, at the base of the Palisades, which was -occupied by a British picket of seventy men--loyal refugees--for the -protection of some wood-cutters and the neighboring Tories. - -On Bergen Neck, not far from the block-house, were a large number of -cattle and horses within reach of the British foragers who might go -out from the fort at Paulus' Hook (now Jersey City). Washington sent -General Wayne with horse and foot--less than two thousand men--to -storm the block-house and to drive the cattle within the American -lines. Wayne sent the cavalry under Major Henry Lee ("Legion Harry," -father of the late General Robert E. Lee, of the Confederate army), -to perform the latter duty, while he, with three regiments, marched -against the block-house with four pieces of light artillery. A brief -but sharp skirmish ensued. The assailants were compelled to retire, -and Wayne returned to camp with a large number of cattle driven by the -dragoons. The failure to capture the block-house was attributed to the -ineffectualness of the small cannons. - -The "Cow-Chase" was published in Rivington's "Gazette," the last canto -on the day of the author's arrest as a spy at Tarrytown. He made -copies of the poem for his friends. Of one of these, belonging to the -late Rev. Dr. Sprague, of Albany, I was permitted, in 1849, to make -the following copy of the poem given in the next chapter; also the -fac-simile given of the last stanza of the poem in the handwriting of -Major André. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 24: This poem, with explanatory notes, may be found in Frank -Moore's "Ballads of the Revolution."] - -[Footnote 25: Beverly Robinson was a gentleman of fortune, a son-in-law -of Frederick Phillipse, proprietor of Phillipse Manor on the Hudson, -and a very active Tory.] - -[Footnote 26: See a copy of this letter in the "Life and Career of John -André," by Winthrop Sargent, p. 447.] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - -COW-CHASE. - -BY MAJOR JOHN ANDRÉ. - - Elizabethtown, _August 1, 1780_. - - -CANTO I. - - To drive the kine, one summer's morn, - The tanner[27] took his way: - The calf shall rue that is unborn - The jumbling of that day. - - And Wayne descending steers shall know, - And tauntingly deride, - And call to mind, in ev'ry low, - The tanning of his hide. - - Let Bergen cows still ruminate - Unconscious in the stall, - What mighty means were used to get, - And lose them after all. - - For many heroes bold and brave - From New Bridge and Tapaan, - And those that drink Passaic's wave, - And those that eat soupaan;[28] - - And sons of distant Delaware, - And still remoter Shannon, - And Major Lee with horses rare, - And Proctor with his cannon-- - - All wondrous proud in arms they came! - What hero could refuse - To tread the rugged path to fame, - Who had a pair of shoes?[29] - - At six the host, with sweating buff, - Arrived at Freedom's Pole,[30] - When Wayne, who thought he'd time enough, - Thus speechified the whole: - - "O ye whom glory doth unite, - Who Freedom's cause espouse, - Whether the wing that's doomed to fight, - Or that to drive the cows; - - "Ere yet you tempt your further way, - Or into action come, - Hear, soldiers, what I have to say, - And take a pint of rum.[31] - - "Intemperate valor then will string - Each nervous arm the better, - So all the land shall IO! sing, - And read the gen'ral's letter.[32] - - "Know that some paltry refugees, - Whom I've a mind to fight, - Are playing h--l among the trees - That grow on yonder height! - - "Their fort and block-house we'll level, - And deal a horrid slaughter; - We'll drive the scoundrels to the devil, - And ravish wife and daughter. - - "I under cover of th' attack, - Whilst you are all at blows, - From English Neighb'rhood and Tinack - Will drive away the cows. - - "For well you know the latter is - The serious operation, - And fighting with the refugees[33] - Is only--demonstration." - - His daring words from all the crowd - Such great applause did gain, - That every man declared aloud - For serious work with--Wayne. - - Then from the cask of rum once more - They took a heavy gill, - When one and all they loudly swore - They'd fight upon the hill. - - But here--the Muse has not a strain - Befitting such great deeds: - "Hurra," they cried, "hurra for Wayne!" - And, shouting--did their needs. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 27: André seems to have been impressed with the idea that the -occupation of General Wayne, the leader of the expedition, was that of -a tanner in his early life. - -A few foot-notes were made to the poem when it was published in -England. These are here placed in italics. The remainder are by the -author of this volume.] - -[Footnote 28: _A hasty-pudding made of the meal of Indian corn._] - -[Footnote 29: This is in allusion to the fact that many of the American -soldiers, at that time, were without shoes or stockings.] - -[Footnote 30: _Freedom's, i.e., liberty-pole--a long stick stuck in the -ground._] - -[Footnote 31: Rum was the usual kind of spirituous liquor that formed a -portion of the rations of the soldiers.] - -[Footnote 32: In his letter to Congress (July 26, 1780) concerning this -expedition, Washington spoke of the American cannons being "too light -to penetrate the logs of which it [the block-house] was constructed." -He also attributed the great loss of the Americans in that attack to -the "intemperate valor" of the men. André exercised a poetical license -in putting these words into the mouth of Wayne before the occurrence.] - -[Footnote 33: Loyalists expelled from the American lines.] - - -CANTO II. - - Near his meridian pomp the sun - Had journeyed from th' horizon, - When fierce the dusky tribe moved on, - Of heroes drunk as poison. - - The sounds confused, of boasting oaths, - Re-echoed through the wood: - Some vowed to sleep in dead men's clothes, - And some to swim in blood. - - At Irvine's nod, 'twas fine to see - The left prepared to fight, - The while the drovers, Wayne and Lee - Drew off upon the right. - - Which Irvine 'twas Fame don't relate, - Nor can the Muse assist her-- - Whether 'twas he that cocks a hat, - Or he that gives a glister. - - For greatly one was signalized, - That fought at Chestnut Hill, - And Canada immortalized - The vender of the pill.[34] - - Yet the attendance upon Proctor - They both might have to boast of; - For there was business for the doctor, - And hats to be disposed of. - - Let none uncandidly infer - That Stirling wanted spunk, - The self-made Peer[35] had sure been there, - But that the Peer was drunk. - - But turn we to the Hudson's banks, - Where stood the modest train, - With purpose firm, though slender ranks, - Nor cared a pin for Wayne. - - For then the unrelenting hand - Of rebel fury drove, - And tore from ev'ry genial hand - Of friendship and of love. - - And some within a dungeon's gloom, - By mock tribunals laid, - Had waited long a cruel doom, - Impending o'er their head. - - Here one bewails a brother's fate, - There one a sire demands, - Cut off, alas! before their date, - By ignominious hands. - - And silvered grandsires here appeared - In deep distress serene, - Of reverend manners that declared - The better days they'd seen. - - Oh! cursed rebellion, these are thine, - Thine are these tales of woe; - Shall at thy dire, insatiate shrine - Blood never cease to flow? - - And now the foe began to lead - His forces to the attack; - Balls whistling unto balls succeed, - And make the block-house crack. - - No shot could pass, if you will take - The gen'ral's word for true;[36] - But 'tis a d----le mistake, - For ev'ry shot went through. - - The firmer as the rebels pressed, - The loyal heroes stand; - Virtue had nerved each honest breast, - And industry each hand. - - In valor's frenzy, Hamilton[37] - Rode like a soldier big, - And Secretary Harrison[38] - With pen stuck in his wig. - - But, lest chieftain Washington - Should mourn them in the mumps,[39] - The fate of Withington to shun, - They fought _behind_ the stumps.[40] - - But ah! Thaddeus Posset, why - Should thy poor soul elope? - And why should Titus Hooper die-- - Ah! die without a rope? - - Apostate Murphy, thou to whom - Fair Shela ne'er was cruel; - _In death shalt hear her_ mourn thy doom, - "Och! would ye die, my jewel?" - - Thee, Nathan Pumpkin, I lament, - Of melancholy fate; - The gray goose, stolen as he went, - In his heart's blood was wet. - - Now, as the fight was further fought, - And balls began to thicken, - The fray assumed, the gen'rals thought, - The color of a licking. - - Yet undismayed, the chiefs command, - And, to redeem the day, - Cry, "Soldiers, charge!" They hear, they stand-- - They turn and run away! - - -CANTO III. - - Not all delights the bloody spear, - Or horrid din of battle; - There are, I'm sure, who'd like to hear - A word about the rattle. - - The chief whom we beheld of late - Near Schralenberg haranguing, - At Yan Van Poop's[41] unconscious sat - Of Irvine's hearty banging; - - While valiant Lee, with courage wild, - Most bravely did oppose - The tears of women and of child, - Who begged he'd leave the cows. - - But Wayne, of sympathizing heart, - Required a relief - Not all the blessings could impart - Of battle or of beef. - - For now a prey to female charms, - His soul took more delight in - A lovely Hamadryad's[42] arms, - Than cow-driving or fighting. - - A nymph, the refugees had drove - Far from her native tree, - Just happened to be on the move, - When up came Wayne and Lee. - - She in mad Anthony's fierce eye - The hero saw portrayed, - And, all in tears, she took him by - The bridle of his jade.[43] - - "Hear," said the nymph, "O great commander, - No human lamentations; - The trees you see them cutting yonder - Are all my near relations. - - "And I, forlorn, implore thine aid - To free the sacred grove; - So shall thy prowess be repaid - With an immortal's love." - - Now some, to prove she was a goddess, - Said this enchanting fair - Had late retired from the _Bodies_[44] - In all the pomp of war; - - That drums and merry fifes had played - To honor her retreat, - And Cunningham[45] himself conveyed - The lady through the street. - - Great Wayne, by soft compassion swayed, - To no inquiry stoops, - But takes the fair, afflicted maid - _Right_ into Yan Van Poop's. - - So Roman Anthony, they say, - Disgraced the imperial banner, - And for a gypsy lost a day, - Like Anthony the tanner. - - The Hamadryad had but half - Received redress from Wayne, - When drums and colors, cow and calf, - Came down the road amain. - - All in a cloud of dust were seen - The sheep, the horse, the goat, - The gentle heifer, ass obscene, - The yearling, and the shoat. - - And pack-horses with fowls came by, - Befeathered on each side, - Like Pegasus, the horse that I - And other poets ride. - - Sublime upon the stirrups rose - The mighty Lee behind, - And drove the terror-smitten cows - Like chaff before the wind! - - But sudden see the woods above - Pour down another corps, - All helter-skelter in a drove, - Like that I sung before. - - Irvine and terror in the van - Came flying all abroad, - And cannon, colors, horse, and man, - Ran tumbling to the road. - - Still as he fled, 'twas Irvine's cry, - And his example too: - "Run on, my merry men, all--for why?" - The shot will not go through. - - Five refugees, 'tis true, were found - Stiff on the block-house floor; - But then, 'tis thought, the shot went round, - And in at the back door! - - As when two kennels in the street, - Swelled with a recent rain, - In gushing streams together meet, - And seek the neighboring drain-- - - So meet these dung-born tribes in one, - As swift in their career, - And so to New Bridge they ran on, - But all the cows got clear. - - Poor Parson Caldwell, all in wonder, - Saw the returning train, - And mourned to Wayne the lack of plunder, - For them to steal again.[46] - - For 'twas his right to seize the spoil, and - To share with each commander, - As he had done at Staten Island - With frost-bit Alexander.[47] - - In his dismay, the frantic priest - Began to grow prophetic, - You had swore, to see his lab'ring breast, - He'd taken an emetic! - - "I view a future day," said he, - "Brighter than this day dark is, - And you shall see what you shall see, - Ha! ha! one pretty marquis;[48] - - "And he shall come to Paulus Hook,[49] - And great achievements think on, - And make a bow and take a look, - Like Satan over Lincoln. - - "And all the land around shall glory - To see the Frenchmen caper, - And pretty Susan[50] tell the story - In the next Chatham paper." - - This solemn prophecy, of course, - Gave all much consolation; - Except to Wayne, who lost his horse - Upon the great occasion-- - - His horse that carried all his prog, - His military speeches, - His corn-stalk whisky for his grog-- - Blue stockings and brown breeches. - - And now I've closed my epic strain, - I tremble as I show it, - Lest this same warrio-drover, Wayne, - Should ever catch the poet.[51] - -[Illustration: - - And now I've clos'd my Epic strain, - I tremble as I shew it, - Lest this same warrio-drover Wayne - Should ever catch the Poet. - - Finis - -Fac-simile of the last Stanza of the Cow-Chase.] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - -We have seen that Arnold, at his own earnest solicitation, had been -appointed to the command of West Point in August, 1780. It was then -known to Sir Henry Clinton that "Gustavus" was no other than General -Arnold. Everything was ripe for the consummation of the plot; both -parties were anxious for the end. - -It was a gloomy hour in the history of the great struggle, aside from -the contemplated act of foul treason. Charleston had fallen in May, and -an American army there had been made prisoners. Gates had been defeated -near Camden in August, and another American army dispersed. The South -was in possession of the enemy; New Jersey was in nearly the same -condition, and on Manhattan Island lay a strong army of veteran British -soldiers. This was the moment sagaciously chosen by Arnold to strike a -fatal blow at the liberties of his country. - -At the close of August Arnold wrote to André, in the usual disguise -of commercial phrases, demanding a personal interview at an American -outpost in Westchester County, the latter to come in the disguise of -"John Anderson," a bearer of intelligence from New York. But André was -not disposed to enter the American lines in disguise. A meeting of -André and Beverly Robinson with General Arnold, at Dobb's Ferry, on the -neutral ground, on September 11th, was arranged; but the interview was -prevented by providential interposition--an interposition in favor of -the American cause so conspicuously manifested in every stage of this -conspiracy. - -Washington had made arrangements for a conference, at Hartford, on -the 20th of September, with the Count de Rochambeau, the commander -of the French forces, then at Newport, Rhode Island, who had come to -assist the Americans in their struggle. It was arranged between Arnold -and André that the surrender of West Point should take place during -Washington's absence. A personal interview for the purpose of settling -everything concerning the great transaction was absolutely necessary, -and a meeting of the complotters was appointed to take place on the -night of the 21st of September, on the west side of the Hudson, in a -lonely spot not far from the hamlet of Haverstraw. - -Beverly Robinson and a few others were sharers in the great secret; and -there were vague rumors in the air that Major André was engaged in an -enterprise which, if successful, would end the war, and redound to his -honor and secure him great renown--a baronetcy and a brigadiership, -perhaps. It is said that Sir Henry Clinton promised these rewards to -his adjutant-general. In confirmation of the truth of this assertion, -an incident that occurred on the day when André left New York to meet -Arnold may here be cited. - -On the 20th of September (1780) Colonel Williams, whose headquarters -were in the Kip mansion, at Kip's Bay, foot of (present) Thirty-fourth -Street, East River, gave a dinner-party to General Sir Henry Clinton -and his staff. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and there were exuberant -Tories around the banquet-table on that occasion. The spirits of Sir -Henry were specially buoyant, for he was anticipating a great victory -in the near future. His accomplished adjutant-general, Major André, was -with him. - -When the band had ceased playing the favorite dinner air, "The Roast -Beef of Old England," many toasts were drunk. At length Colonel -Williams arose and said: "Sir Henry, our adjutant-general appears very -dull this afternoon. We all know what a brave soldier, what a genial -companion, what a charming song-bird he is; and yet music is, perhaps, -the least among his accomplishments. I call upon the adjutant-general -for a song." Colonel Williams then said, "Gentlemen, I offer the toast, -'Major John André, our worthy adjutant-general, the brave soldier and -accomplished gentleman.'" - -The toast was greeted with great applause. Then André arose and said: -"Yes, Colonel Williams, I do feel rather serious this afternoon, and -I can give no particular reason for it. I will sing, however, as you -request me to." Then he sang, with great sweetness and much pathos, the -old familiar camp-song, beginning-- - - "Why, soldiers, why, - Should we be melancholy, boys? - Why, soldiers, why, - Whose business 'tis to die! - For should next campaign - Send us to Him who made us, boys, - We're free from pain; - But should we remain, - A bottle and kind landlady - Makes all well again." - -With a trembling and husky voice the usually gay young soldier thanked -the company for the honor they had done him, when Sir Henry said: "A -word in addition, gentlemen, if you please. The major leaves the city -on duty to-night, which will most likely terminate in making plain John -André _Sir_ John André--for success must crown his efforts." - -Major André left the hilarious company with a countenance saddened by -an indefinable presentiment of impending disaster, and departed on that -fatal mission involved in his complot with General Arnold. - -André went up the Hudson that evening in the sloop-of-war _Vulture_, -twenty-four, to have the arranged personal interview with Arnold. He -was accompanied by Beverly Robinson. The vessel was anchored between -Teller's (now Croton) Point and Verplanck's Point, and lay there all -the next day. Arnold had agreed to send a boat to the _Vulture_ to -convey André to the shore at the appointed time. For that service he -had employed Joshua H. Smith, an intimate acquaintance and a gentleman -farmer, at whose house Mrs. Arnold had been entertained a few days -before, while on her way to join her husband at his headquarters. -Smith's house is yet standing, upon an eminence known as Treason Hill, -between Stony Point and Haverstraw. It overlooks a picturesque region, -with Haverstraw Bay in the foreground. - -[Illustration: The Smith House.] - -The place appointed for the meeting of the conspirators was at a lonely -spot in a thicket at the foot of Torn Mountain, near the west shore -of the Hudson, about two miles below Haverstraw. It was outside the -American lines. Smith appeared in a small boat, with two stout oarsmen, -at the side of the _Vulture_ at midnight. André was ready to accompany -him. He covered his scarlet uniform with a long blue surtout. Clinton -had instructed him to have nothing to do with papers of any kind, and -he went ashore empty-handed. - -It was a little past midnight when André was landed on the beach at -the mouth of a little creek. He was conducted by Smith to Arnold's -place of concealment, and there in the dimmed starlight these notable -conspirators, who had long communed through mysterious epistles, met -face to face for the first time. At Arnold's request, Smith went back -to his boat to await the return of André, who was to be conveyed again -to the _Vulture_ before daybreak. - -The interview was long protracted. It was not ended when the eastern -horizon began to kindle with the dawn. Both men were anxious to -complete the business at that time. Arnold had two horses with him, -one of them ridden by his servant. He now proposed that André should -mount his servant's horse and ride with him to Smith's house and there -complete the arrangement. The major reluctantly consented to do so, -with the understanding that he was to be conveyed to the _Vulture_ as -soon as possible. - -As the two horsemen approached the little hamlet of Haverstraw they -were challenged by a sentinel. André was alarmed. He was, unwittingly, -within the American lines; but he had gone too far, however, to recede, -and they rode on together to Smith's house. By ten o'clock they -had finished their business, when Arnold, after handing André some -papers containing all needed information concerning the post to be -surrendered, departed in his barge for West Point. - -It had been arranged that Sir Henry Clinton should ascend the Hudson -with a strong force on the 25th, and attack the important post; and -Arnold, after making a show of resistance, should surrender it, with -all the men and munitions of war, on the plea of the weakness of the -garrison. A part of the plan was the seizure of Washington, who was to -return on the 27th. For this service the traitor was to receive from -the king the commission of brigadier-general in the royal army, and -fifty thousand dollars in gold. The surrender was not effected, but -Arnold received the commission, and nearly forty thousand dollars in -gold. - -When the conspirators arrived at Smith's house at sunrise, André was -alarmed at the disappearance of the _Vulture_. She had been cannonaded -from Verplanck's Point, and compelled to drop down the river. - -Just after the departure of Arnold, the _Vulture_ reappeared at her -anchorage of the night before. André urged Smith to take him to the -sloop immediately, but he declined, giving various reasons for his -conduct. He was really afraid to perform the service, and the British -adjutant-general was kept in a state of great anxiety on Treason Hill -until evening. Arnold had intimated that the major might be compelled -to cross the river and return to New York by land. To provide for any -contingency, he furnished passports, one to secure to André a safeguard -through the American posts to the neutral ground, and another to secure -such safety in passing down the river in a boat to Dobb's Ferry. - -Smith decided that André must return by land. He tried to procure an -American uniform for the major's disguise, but could not, and his guest -was compelled to accept an old purple or crimson coat, trimmed with -threadbare gold lace, and a tarnished beaver hat belonging to Smith. -The rest of his suit was his military undress, nankeen small-clothes, -and white-topped boots. His long surtout with a cape covered all. - -In violation of Clinton's positive orders, André took away the papers -which Arnold had given him. These he concealed in his stockings beneath -his feet. So equipped, and bearing Arnold's passports, André mounted a -black horse which the American general had provided for his use, and -at twilight, accompanied by Smith and his negro servant, he crossed -the river at the King's Ferry, went safely through the American works -at Verplanck's Point, and reluctantly spent the night at a farm-house -below the Croton River, within the American lines. The travelers slept -together. It was a weary and restless night for André. They arose early -and rode on some distance together. After breakfast they parted company -at Pine's bridge, André pushing on within the neutral ground. He was -induced to leave the road leading to the White Plains, which he had -been directed to take, and, turning westward at Chappaqua, he followed -another road nearer the river, which led him to Tarrytown. This was a -fatal mistake. - -The neutral ground, extending from King's Bridge nearly to the -Croton River, was swarming with Tories. It was the region of great -manors, whose owners were loyalists, and their retainers were their -political followers. It was a most uncomfortable dwelling-place for -the comparatively few Whig inhabitants. It was infested with gangs of -marauders, who were called "cow-boys." They were constantly stealing -the cattle of the Whigs and driving them off to the British army in -New York. The patriotic inhabitants, especially the young men, armed -themselves in defense of their property. - -On the morning of Friday, the 23d of September (1780), seven young men, -farmers and neighbors--John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, David Williams, -John Yerks and three others--were out on a scout together. They seem -to have been a sort of guerrillas, acting independently in intercepting -marauders and arresting suspicious-looking travelers. Paulding had been -a prisoner in New York a short time before, and had escaped in the -disguise of a Hessian coat which a friend had procured for him. This -coat he now wore. - -Three of the four young men above named were playing cards in a thicket -near the highway, half a mile from Tarrytown, at about nine o'clock in -the morning, when a well-dressed horseman approached on a black steed. -He was a stranger, and the young men concluded to stop him and inquire -about his errand. Paulding, who was the leader of the little band, -stepped out of the bushes with his musket, and ordered the traveler to -halt and give an account of himself. Seeing Paulding with a British -military coat on, and knowing that he was far below the American lines -and nearer those of the British, the horseman said to the three young -scouts: - -"My lads, I hope you belong to our party." - -"What party?" asked Paulding. - -"The lower party--the British." - -"We do," said Paulding. - -Completely thrown off his guard, the traveler exclaimed with much -animation: "Thank God, I am once more among friends! I am a British -officer, out in the country on particular business, and hope you will -not detain me a minute." - -"We are Americans," said Paulding, seizing the bridle of the horse, -"and you are our prisoner." - -The traveler was shocked, but, assuming composure, he said, "I must do -anything to get along," and with apparent unconcern he pulled from his -pocket Arnold's passport, which read: - - "Headquarters, Robinson's House, _September 22, 1780_. - - Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the White Plains, or - below if he chooses, he being on public business by my direction. - - "B. Arnold, _Major-General_." - -[Illustration: - - Head Quarters Robinsons - House Sep.^t 22^d--1780 - -Permit M.r John Anderson to pass the Guards to the White Plains, or -below if He Chooses, He being on Public Business by my Direction - - B. Arnold MGenl - -Arnold's Passport] - -The suspicions of the young men were now thoroughly aroused. Making the -traveler dismount, they searched every part of his clothing, but found -nothing of importance. - -"Try his boots," said Van Wart. - -They compelled him to sit upon a log by the road-side, and, pulling -off his boots, they discovered, by the bagging of his stocking-feet, -several papers. These Paulding, the only one of the young men who could -read, glanced over and exclaimed: - -"My God! he is a spy!" - -Major John André, adjutant-general of the British army, was their -prisoner, but they did not know it. They believed that he was a British -officer, as he himself at first announced. They questioned him closely -about the papers in his boots, but he became very reticent. He offered -them large bribes to induce them to let him pass. He offered them -his gold watch. They refused. "I will give you a hundred guineas and -any amount of dry goods," he said. They refused. "I will give you a -thousand guineas," he said, "and you can hold me as a hostage till one -of your number return with the money." - -"We would not let you go for ten thousand guineas!" said Paulding, in a -loud voice. That decision settled the fate of André. - -The prisoner then requested his captors to take him to the nearest -American post, and ask him no more questions. They complied. He was -seated on his horse, which one of them alternately led, while the -others marched alongside as guards. - -Such was the story of André's capture, as related by the three young -men. Major André declared that the sole object of the captors in -arresting him was evidently plunder; that they searched every part -of him, even his saddle and his boots, for gold; and that, if he had -possessed sufficient in specie (he had only some Continental bills), he -might have easily persuaded them to let him go. But the preponderance -of contemporary testimony is in favor of the captors' story. Washington -wrote to Congress: - -"Their conduct merits our warmest esteem, and I beg leave to add that I -think the public would do well to grant them a handsome gratuity. They -have prevented, in all probability, our suffering one of the severest -strokes that could have been meditated against us." - -[Illustration: John Paulding - -(From a Miniature in possession of the late James K. Paulding.)] - -Congress complimented the captors on their fidelity and patriotism by a -resolution of thanks, ordered that an annuity of two hundred dollars in -specie should be paid to each out of the public treasury, and directed -the Board of War to have a silver medal of appropriate design struck -and given to each. These medals Washington presented to the captors -in person. Tradition tells us that André would undoubtedly have -been released but for the strong will and patriotic impulses of John -Paulding, then only twenty-two years of age. - -André was delivered to Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson, then in command -of Sheldon's dragoons and a few Connecticut militia at North Salem. -That honest officer believed the captive to be what Arnold's passport -proclaimed him, simply "John Anderson," on public business by direction -of his general, and treated him very kindly as such. The prisoner -requested Jameson to inform Arnold that John Anderson was a captive, -in his custody. The honest, unsuspicious Jameson complied. He wrote to -Arnold to this effect, explaining how Anderson came to be a prisoner, -and concluded that the simplest way in the matter would be to send the -captive to Arnold with the letter! He detailed Lieutenant Allen and -four of the militia to take both to headquarters, and at the same time -sent the papers found in André's boot by express to Washington, who was -then on his way from Hartford. - -André was delighted by the turn affairs had taken, for now there -appeared a way of escape for both Arnold and himself. The escort with -the prisoner were some distance on their way, when Major Benjamin -Tallmadge, a vigilant and active officer of the dragoons, returned -to Jameson's quarters after a brief absence. Learning all about the -capture and the nature of the papers found on the prisoner, he at once -pronounced him a spy and Arnold a traitor. He persuaded Jameson to -order the return of the prisoner, agreeing to bear all blame himself -for the act. The captive was brought back, but, unfortunately, Allen -proceeded alone with Jameson's letter to Arnold. - -André was committed to the care of Lieutenant King, of the dragoons, -who was convinced, by the prisoner's manner and other tokens, that he -was no ordinary man. Finally, the captive requested King to walk with -him in a large yard attached to the house in which they were, when the -prisoner said, "I must make a confidant of somebody, and I know not a -more proper person than yourself, you have treated me so kindly." He -then made a full confession of his rank, and gave a brief narrative of -his career in America since his capture at St. Johns. Procuring writing -materials, he wrote the following letter to Washington: - - "Salem, _the 24th September, 1780_. - - "Sir: What I have as yet said concerning myself was in the justifiable - attempt to be extricated. I am too little accustomed to duplicity to - have succeeded. - - "I beg your Excellency will be persuaded that no alteration in the - temper of my mind, or apprehension for my safety, induces me to take - the step of addressing you, but that it is to rescue myself from an - imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes - or self-interest, a conduct incompatible with the principles which - actuate me, as well as my condition in life. It is to vindicate my - fame that I speak, and not to solicit security. The person in your - possession is Major John André, adjutant-general in the British army. - - "The influence of one commander with another in the army of his - adversary is an advantage taken in war. A correspondence for this - purpose I held, as confidential, in the present instance, with his - Excellency Sir Henry Clinton. - - "To favor it, I agreed to meet upon ground not within the posts of - either army a person who was to give me intelligence. I came up in the - _Vulture_ man-of-war for this effect, and was fetched by a boat from - the shore to the beach; being there, I was told that the approach of - day would prevent my return, and that I must be concealed until the - next night. I was in my regimentals, and had fairly risked my person. - - "Against my stipulation and without my knowledge beforehand, I was - conducted within one of your posts. Your Excellency will conceive my - sensation on this occasion, and will imagine how much more I must have - been affected, by a refusal to reconduct me back the next night as I - had been brought. Thus become a prisoner, I had to concert my escape. - I quitted my uniform, and was passed another way in the night, without - the American posts to neutral ground, and informed I was beyond - all armed parties, and left to press for New York. I was taken at - Tarrytown by some volunteers. Thus, as I have had the honor to relate, - was I betrayed (being adjutant-general of the British army) into the - vile condition of an enemy in disguise within your posts. - - "Having avowed myself a British officer, I have nothing to reveal but - what relates to myself, which is true, on the honor of an officer - and a gentleman. The request I have to make to your Excellency, and - I am conscious I address myself well, that in any rigor feeling - may dictate, a decency of conduct toward me may mark, that, though - unfortunate, I am branded with nothing dishonorable, as no motive - could be mine but the service of my King, and as I was an involuntary - impostor. - - "Another request is, that I may be permitted to write an open letter - to Sir Henry Clinton, and another to a friend for clothes and linen. - - "I take the liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen at - Charlestown, who, being either on parole or under protection, were - engaged in a conspiracy against us. Though their situation is not - exactly similar, they are objects who may be set in exchange for me, - or are persons whom the treatment I receive may affect. - - "It is no less, sir, in a confidence in the generosity of your mind, - than on account of your superior station, that I have chosen to - importune you with this letter. - - "I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your Excellency's - most obedient and most humble servant, - - "John André, _Adjutant-General_. - - "His Excellency General WASHINGTON." - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 34: _One of the Irvines was a hatter; the other was a -physician._ It was probably the latter--Dr. William Irvine--who -was in this expedition, for he was then in command of the Second -Pennsylvania Regiment. He had been a captain in Canada about two years. -Brigadier-General Irvine was made a prisoner at Chestnut Hill, near -Philadelphia, in December, 1777.] - -[Footnote 35: William Alexander, Lord Stirling, was a general in the -Continental army. He had been frustrated in obtaining a Scottish estate -and peerage to which he was clearly entitled. He assumed the title as a -right.] - -[Footnote 36: General Wayne reported that, owing to the lightness -of his field-pieces, the shot did not penetrate the logs of the -block-house.] - -[Footnote 37: _Vide Lee's trial._ General Charles Lee, in his testimony -at his trial by court-martial, after the battle of Monmouth, spoke of -"Colonel Hamilton flourishing his sword" after delivering a message -from Washington on the battle-field, and saying, "'I will stay, and we -will all die here on this spot.' I could not but be surprised," said -Lee, "at his expression, but observed him much fluttered, and in a sort -of frenzy of valor."] - -[Footnote 38: Richard Harrison, Washington's secretary.] - -[Footnote 39: _A disorder prevalent in the rebel lines._] - -[Footnote 40: _The merit of these lines, which is doubtless very great, -can only be felt by true connoisseurs conversant in ancient song._ In -"Chevy Chase" occurs the stanza: - - "For Witherington needs must I wayle, - As one in doleful dumps; - For when his legges were smitten off, - He fought upon his stumps."] - -[Footnote 41: _Who kept a dram-shop._] - -[Footnote 42: _A deity of the woods._] - -[Footnote 43: _A New England name for a horse, mare, or gelding._] - -[Footnote 44: _A cant appellation given among the soldiers to the corps -that has the honor to guard his Majesty's person_--a body-guard.] - -[Footnote 45: William Cunningham, the veteran provost-marshal at New -York.] - -[Footnote 46: Rev. James Caldwell, an earnest Whig of New Jersey, and -pastor of a church at Connecticut Farms. His wife had been shot by -a newly enlisted soldier in her own house, when the British, under -Knyphausen, made a raid upon Springfield in 1778.] - -[Footnote 47: _Calling himself, because he was ordered not to do it, -Earl of Stirling, though no sterling earl._ (See foot-note, page 71.) -In a winter expedition to Staten Island a larger proportion of his -soldiers were frost-bitten.] - -[Footnote 48: _Lafayette._] - -[Footnote 49: Now Jersey City, where the British had a redoubt. This -Major Henry Lee surprised, in August, 1779, and carried away one -hundred and fifty-nine of the garrison prisoners.] - -[Footnote 50: Mrs. Susannah Livingston, a daughter of Governor William -Livingston, of New Jersey, who was suspected of political authorship.] - -[Footnote 51: It so happened that when André was taken to Tappaan he -was delivered to the custody of Wayne. The latter was not a member of -the board of inquiry. Frank Moore says that, under André's signature to -a MS. copy of the "Cow-Chase," some one wrote: - - "When the epic strain was sung, - The poet by the neck was hung, - And to his cost he finds, too late, - The 'dung-born tribe' decides his fate."] - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - -Washington lodged at Fishkill, eighteen miles from West Point, on the -night of September 24th, and early the next morning (the day appointed -for Clinton to ascend the river and receive the surrender of the -post in the Highlands) he and his companions reached the vicinity of -Arnold's quarters, where they intended to breakfast. He and two or -three officers turned aside to inspect a redoubt, while Lafayette, -Hamilton, and other young officers, rode forward with a message from -their chief to Mrs. Arnold, bidding her not to delay breakfast on his -account. - -While these officers were at table with Arnold and his wife, a courier -arrived with a letter to the general. It was Jameson's letter, brought -by Allen, telling Arnold of the arrest of "John Anderson," and the -sending of the papers found in his boots to Washington. Arnold glanced -at the letter, sat a few minutes in general conversation, and then -asked to be excused. His wife perceived anxiety in his countenance, -and, leaving the table, followed him out of the room. He commanded -Allen not to mention that he had brought a letter from Jameson; -ordered a horse to be saddled and brought to the door immediately, and -ascending to his wife's chamber, to which she had retired, he told her -in a few hurried words of his perilous situation, and that his life -depended upon his instant flight and reaching the British lines in -safety. - -This awful message smote the young wife and mother fearfully. She -screamed and fell at his feet in a swoon. He had not a moment to lose. -Leaving her in the care of her maid, he kissed their sleeping babe and -hurried to the breakfast-room. Telling the guests that his wife had -been taken ill suddenly, and that he was called in haste over to West -Point and would return presently, he mounted the horse at the door, -dashed down the bridle-path to the river half a mile distant, snatched -his pistols from the holsters as he dismounted, and, summoning the crew -of his barge, he entered it and ordered them to pull into the middle of -the stream and row swiftly down the river, for he bore a flag to the -_Vulture_, and must return soon to meet General Washington. - -Arnold sat in the prow of his barge. When they came in sight of the -_Vulture_ he raised a white handkerchief upon a walking-stick. They -soon reached the vessel. Arnold ascended to her deck, where he met -Colonel Robinson, and briefly related to him the unhappy state of -affairs. He tried, in vain, to lure the crew of his barge into the -king's service. "If General Arnold likes the King of England, let him -serve him; _we_ love our country, and mean to live or die in support of -her cause," indignantly exclaimed James Larvey, the coxswain. "So will -we," said his companions. They were sent on shore at Teller's Point by -the same flag. Arnold sent a letter to Washington, covering one to his -wife. He assured the commander-in-chief that his wife was innocent of -all knowledge of his act, and entreated him to extend his protection -to her and her child. He also exonerated his military family from all -participation in his designs. - -By the same flag Colonel Robinson wrote to Washington, asserting that, -under the circumstances which led to André's arrest, he could not -detain him without "the greatest violation of flags and contrary to the -usage of all nations"; and, assuming that the American commander would -see the matter in the same light, he desired that he would order Major -André to be "set at liberty, and allowed to return immediately." - -[Illustration: The Robinson House.--(From a Sketch by the Author in -1849.)] - -The _Vulture_ returned to New York the same evening, and early the -next morning Arnold conveyed to General Clinton the first intelligence -of the capture of Major André. Let us go back to Arnold's quarters at -Robinson's house, in the Highlands. - -Washington arrived at Arnold's quarters an hour after the traitor's -flight. Informed of the illness of Mrs. Arnold, and that her husband -had gone over to West Point, the chief took a hurried breakfast and -proceeded thither with all his staff, excepting Colonel Hamilton. As -they touched the west shore of the river they were surprised at not -receiving the usual cannon-salute. - -"Is not General Arnold here?" Washington asked Colonel Lamb. - -"No, sir," Lamb replied; "he has not been here for two days, nor have I -heard from him in that time." - -Meanwhile Hamilton, as Washington's private secretary, had received -and examined the papers taken from André's stocking; also the letters -of Jameson, and that of the prisoner to Washington revealing the -conspiracy. Hamilton immediately sought his chief. He met him on his -way up from the river, and told him of his discovery of Arnold's -treason and of his flight to the _Vulture_. Men were dispatched to -Verplanck's Point to intercept him, but they arrived too late. An order -was sent to Colonel Jameson to forward André to West Point immediately. -He said to Lafayette and Knox, sadly: - -"Arnold is a traitor! Whom can we trust now?" The whole plot was -revealed, and the danger impending over the post was made manifest. - -Yet Washington gave no outward sign of excitement. He sent couriers in -all directions with orders for the strengthening of every redoubt, and -ordered Greene to put the army at Tappaan in readiness to move toward -West Point at a moment's warning. But it was soon evident that the -danger was overpast. Informed of Mrs. Arnold's sad condition, he said -to one of his aides, "Go to her and inform her that, though my duty -required that no means should be neglected to arrest General Arnold, I -have great pleasure in acquainting _her_ that he is now safe on board a -British vessel of war." - -André was brought to the Robinson house early on the 26th (September, -1780). He had been aroused from slumber at midnight to begin a dreary -journey in a falling rain, under a strong escort led by Lieutenant -King. On the way they were joined by Major Tallmadge and one or two -other officers. Tallmadge was made the special custodian of the -prisoner from that time until his execution; and on the evening of the -26th André was conveyed to West Point. - -General Greene was in chief command of the American army during -Washington's absence. Its headquarters were at Tappaan (usually called -Orangetown), a short distance from the west shore of the Hudson. -Washington sent secret orders to Greene to receive the prisoner. - -[Illustration: "The '76 Stone House."] - -On the morning of the 28th André, with a strong escort, went down the -river in a barge, landed at the King's Ferry, and journeyed to Tappaan -on horseback. There he was lodged in a substantial stone dwelling -belonging to Mr. Maybie, known, in our day, as a tavern, by the name -of "The '76 Stone House." - -On this journey of a day, Tallmadge and André, who were about equal in -age, had much free conversation. The prisoner's custodian, like every -one else, was fascinated by the young soldier, and was deeply impressed -with sympathy for him. In reply to a question by Tallmadge, André said -that, in the enterprise in which he was engaged, all he sought was -_military glory, the applause of his king and his country, and perhaps -a brigadiership_. He asked Tallmadge in what light he would be regarded -by General Washington and a military tribunal. Tallmadge tried to evade -an answer, but, being pressed, he said: - -"I had a much-loved classmate in Yale College by the name of Nathan -Hale, who entered the army in 1775. Immediately after the battle of -Long Island, General Washington wanted information respecting the -strength, position, and probable movements of the enemy. Captain Hale -tendered his services, went over to Brooklyn, and was taken just as he -was passing the outposts of the enemy on his return. _Do you remember -the sequel of the story?_" "Yes," said André, "he was hanged as a -spy. But you surely do not consider his case and mine alike." "Yes, -precisely similar; and similar will be your fate," said Tallmadge. - -In general orders on the 26th Greene proclaimed, "Treason of the -blackest dye was discovered yesterday." He then gave a general account -of the affair to the army and the people. It created wide-spread -indignation and alarm, but the latter feeling was tempered by the -concluding words of the order: "Arnold has made his escape to the -enemy; but Major André, the adjutant-general of the British army, who -came out as a spy to negotiate the business, is our prisoner." - -The news of the capture of André, and this ominous general order, -produced intense excitement in both armies, and especially within the -British lines. The evident sympathy of Washington and some of his -officers for the prisoner when he was brought to Tappaan, created much -feeling in the American army. Some of the officers declared that if -they were not to be protected against such treacherous conduct, and -this spy be pardoned, it was time to leave the army. In a manuscript -account of the affair now before me, written by Elias Boudinot, LL. D., -the eminent American commissary of prisoners, he observed: - -"Though these were their sentiments, they were only murmured from tent -to tent. A few days convinced them that they had a commander-in-chief -who knew how to make his compassion for the unfortunate and his duty to -those who depended upon him for protection to harmonize and influence -his conduct. He treated Major André with the greatest tenderness, while -he carried the sentence of the council into execution according to the -laws of war. At New York, when the first account of André's capture and -condemnation arrived, the officers and citizens laughed at the idea -that the 'rebels' would dare to execute the adjutant-general of the -British army; but, if it should take place, vengeance in every form -should be taken sevenfold. But, when it was known that André was no -more, General Clinton shut himself up for three days, and every one at -the Coffee-House and other public places hung their heads, and scarcely -an observation relative to it escaped their lips." - -[Illustration: Washington's Headquarters at Tappaan.] - -Washington had returned to his headquarters at Tappaan,[52] and -ordered a meeting of a board of officers on the 29th, to make -careful inquiries and report their opinion "of the light in which he -[the prisoner] ought to be considered, and what punishment ought to -be inflicted." The board consisted of six major-generals and eight -brigadier-generals. The court of inquiry was held in the Dutch church -at Tappaan. General Greene presided. When André was brought before his -judges, he gave a detailed statement of the facts, and did not deny any -of the specifications presented by the judge-advocate, John Laurance. -After careful deliberation the board reported that the prisoner "ought -to be considered as a spy from the enemy, and that, agreeably to the -law and usages of nations, it is their opinion he ought to suffer -death." "André met the result," wrote Colonel Hamilton, "with manly -firmness. 'I foresee my fate,' he said, 'and though I pretend not -to play the hero, or be indifferent to life, yet I am reconciled to -whatever may happen, conscious that misfortune, not guilt, has brought -it upon me.'" - -Washington approved the finding of the court of inquiry, and sentenced -André to be hung as a spy on the first day of October, at five o'clock -in the afternoon. He sent an account of the proceedings of the court -and a letter from André to Sir Henry Clinton.[53] - -Meanwhile great exertions had been made to save André from his sad -fate. General Clinton wrote to Washington (September 26th) that André -was not a legal spy, for a flag of truce had been sent to receive him, -and passports were granted for his return. On receiving the papers -from Washington, Sir Henry wrote a second letter to the American -chief commander, expressing the opinion that the board "had not been -rightly informed of all the circumstances," and asked a postponement -of the execution until a conference might be held. The request was -granted. The execution was postponed one day. General Greene met -General Robertson and others at Dobb's Ferry, not as an officer, but as -a private gentleman, but nothing occurred to warrant a change in the -opinion of the board of inquiry and the decision of Washington.[54] - -The Americans would gladly have saved the life of André could Arnold -have been given up to them. Efforts to that end were made. Unofficial -overtures were made to Clinton to exchange Arnold for André, but honor -forbade the act. All efforts in this direction failed. - -On the morning of October 1st, the day on which André expected to die, -he wrote the following touching note to Washington: - - "Sir: Buoyed above the terror of death by the consciousness of a life - devoted to honorable pursuits, and stained with no action that can - give remorse, I trust that the request I make to your Excellency at - this serious period, and which is to soften my last moments, will not - be rejected. - - "Sympathy toward a soldier will surely induce your Excellency and a - military tribunal to adapt the mode of my death to the feelings of a - man of honor. - - "Let me hope, sir, that if aught in my character impresses you with - esteem toward me, if aught in my misfortune marks me as the victim - of policy and not of resentment, I shall experience the operation of - those feelings in your breast by being informed that I am not to die - on a gibbet. - - "I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient and most - humble servant, - - John André." - -Colonel Hamilton urged Washington to comply with André's request, but -the commander could not grant it. Unwilling to wound the feelings of -the prisoner by a refusal, he did not reply to the note. - -On the preceding evening André wrote letters to his mother, sisters, -Miss Seward, and other friends, and made a pen-and-ink sketch of -himself sitting at a table with a pen in his hand. On the following -morning he made a rude sketch, with pen and ink, depicting the scene -of his passage from the _Vulture_ to the shore, when he went to meet -Arnold.[55] - -At noon on the 2d day of October, 1780, Major André was executed upon -an eminence near Tappaan village, in the presence of a vast concourse -of people. He was dressed in full military costume and white top-boots. -He was taken to the gallows--a cross-piece between two moderate-sized -trees--by a procession of nearly all the field-officers, excepting -Washington and his staff, who remained at headquarters. General -Greene led the cavalcade, which passed between two files of soldiers, -extending from the prison up to the fatal spot. The prisoner's step was -firm, and he did not falter until he saw the gallows, and knew he was -to be hanged as a felon and not shot as a soldier. His hesitation was -only for a moment. - -A baggage-wagon, bearing a plain pine coffin, had been driven under -the gallows. A grave had been dug near by. Into the wagon the prisoner -stepped and, taking the rope from the hangman, adjusted it to his neck, -and tied a white handkerchief over his eyes. Then Adjutant-General -Scammell read the order for the execution in a clear voice, and at -its conclusion told André that he might speak if he desired it. The -prisoner lifted the handkerchief from his eyes and, bowing courteously -to General Greene and his officers, said in firm voice, "All I request -of you, gentlemen, is that, while I acknowledge the propriety of my -sentence, you will bear me witness that I die like a brave man." In an -undertone he murmured, "It will be but a momentary pang." The wagon was -driven swiftly from under him, and in a few minutes he ceased to exist. - -[Illustration: Passage from the Vulture.--(Fac-simile of a Pen-and-ink -Sketch by André.)] - -"Thus died in the bloom of life," wrote Dr. Thacher, a surgeon of the -Continental army, who was present, "the accomplished Major André, the -pride of the royal army and the valued friend of Sir Henry Clinton." -The same authority wrote that André's regimentals, which had been -brought up to Tappaan by his servant, were handed to that servant, and -he was buried near one of the trees which formed the gibbet. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 52: This building is yet standing, and is in nearly the same -condition as it was in 1780, at which time it belonged to John de -Windt, a native of the Island of St. Thomas. By a peculiar arrangement -of bricks in its front wall, the date of its construction--1700--may -be seen. In a large room which Washington occupied as his office, and -where André's death-warrant was signed, the spacious fireplace was -surrounded by Dutch pictorial tiles, when I visited and made the above -sketch, in 1849.] - -[Footnote 53: This letter evinced great tenderness of feeling toward -his commander. He declared that the events connected with his coming -within the American lines were contrary to his own intentions, and -avowed the object of his letter to be to remove from Sir Henry's mind -any suspicion that he (André) imagined he was bound by his Excellency's -orders to expose himself to what had happened.] - -[Footnote 54: General Robertson bore a letter from Arnold to -Washington, which he reserved until all oral arguments had failed, -when he read it to the gentlemen of the conference. Had there been -a chance for coming to an understanding in regard to André before, -this impudent letter from the traitor would have destroyed it. Arnold -said: "If, after this just and candid opinion of Major André's case, -the board of general officers adhere to their former opinion, I shall -suppose it dictated by passion and resentment; and, if that gentleman -should suffer the severity of the sentence, I shall think myself bound -by every tie of duty and honor to retaliate on such unhappy persons of -your army as may fall in my power, that the respect due to flags and -the law of nations may be better understood and observed."] - -[Footnote 55: The size of the original drawing from which the above -sketch was made is twelve by seven inches. It will be observed that -André has but one oarsman, instead of two, as was the case. The -drawing was found on his table by his servant after the execution, and -delivered by him at New York to Lieutenant-Colonel Crosby of André's -regiment (the Twenty-second), and who, on his return to England, -caused a _fac-simile_ of it to be produced by the mezzotint process of -engraving.] - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - -Almost universal sympathy was felt and expressed for Major André. -He was undoubtedly an involuntary spy. The court of inquiry which -decided his fate came to their conclusions with regret; but duty, the -law of nations, and the exigencies of war, compelled them to give -such a verdict as they did. Washington signed his death-warrant with -reluctance and with much emotion. All the American officers were moved -by deep sympathy for him. Some of the younger officers--Lafayette, -Hamilton, Tallmadge, and others--were enamored with him, and became -attached to him. "From the few days of intimate intercourse I had with -him," wrote Tallmadge, "I became so deeply attached to Major André -that I could remember no instance when my affections were so fully -absorbed by any man." The multitude who saw the execution were deeply -moved with compassion. Dr. Thacher says the tears of thousands fell on -that occasion. The event made a deep impression upon both armies. The -king specially honored the memory of André by ordering a notable mural -monument to be erected in Westminster Abbey, near the "Poets' Corner." -A picture of this monument is seen in the engraving.[56] The memorial -was executed in statuary marble, and is about seven and a half feet -in height. It represents a sarcophagus with a device in low relief, -and elevated upon a paneled pedestal, upon which are appropriate -inscriptions.[57] On the sarcophagus is a representation of Washington -and his officers in his tent at the moment when he received the report -of the court of inquiry; at the same time a messenger has arrived with -the letter of André to Washington asking for a soldier's death. On the -right is a guard of Continental soldiers, and a tree on which André -was executed. Two men are preparing the prisoner for execution, while -at the foot of the tree sit Mercy and Innocence. On the top of the -sarcophagus is the British lion, and the figure of Britannia, who is -lamenting the fate of André. The king settled a pension upon the family -of André, and, to wipe out the imputed stain produced by his death as a -spy, the honor of knighthood was conferred upon his brother. - -[Illustration: André's Monument in Westminster Abbey.] - -As related in the inscription on the pedestal of André's monument, -given in a foot-note, Mr. Buchanan caused his remains to be disinterred -and sent to England. Two small cedar-trees were growing near the grave -wherein lay his remains. A portion of one of these was sent with the -remains, and, at the suggestion of the consul, the duke caused a -snuff-box to be made of it for the Rev. Mr. Demorest, of Tappaan, who -gave Mr. Buchanan much assistance in his undertaking. It was elegant in -design, was lined with gold, and was inscribed with the words: - -"From his Royal Highness the Duke of York, to mark his sense of the -Rev. John Demorest's liberal attention upon the occasion of the removal -of the remains of the late Major André, at Tappaan, on the 10th of -August, 1821." - -The surviving sisters of André sent a silver cup to Mr. Demorest, with -a suitable inscription; also an inkstand to the British consul. - -Two monuments have been erected at different times on the spot where -André was executed, each with the sole purpose of commemorating this -very important event in our national history, and to mark the exact -locality of its occurrence. One of these monuments was set up by James -Lee,[58] a public-spirited New York merchant, nearly forty years ago. -It consisted of a small bowlder, upon the upper surface of which were -cut the words, "André was executed October 2, 1780." It was on the -right side of a lane which ran from the highway from Tappaan village to -old Tappaan, on the westerly side of a large peach-orchard, and about -a mile from Washington's headquarters. I visited the spot in 1849, and -made a drawing of this simple memorial-stone for my "Pictorial Field -Book of the Revolution." In a foot-note of that work (vol. i, p. 772) -I said, "A more elegant and durable monument should be erected on the -spot." - -[Illustration: Bowlder-Monument.] - -A "more elegant and durable monument" was placed on the same spot a few -years ago by another public-spirited New York merchant, Mr. Cyrus W. -Field, and bears an inscription written by the late Rev. Arthur Penrhyn -Stanley, the Dean of Westminster. When that eminent divine and earnest -friend of our country and admirer of our free institutions was about -to visit the United States in 1878, he made a list of the objects and -localities which he desired to see while here. Among these was the -place of André's execution. - -While Dean Stanley was visiting Mr. Field at his country residence on -the eastern bank of the Hudson, nearly opposite Tappaan, he with his -two traveling companions and their host crossed the river, and, with -one or two citizens of Tappaan, visited places of historic interest -in the vicinity. They found that nothing marked the place of André's -execution, and that it had even been a subject of controversy. The -bowlder-monument had been removed several years before. The dean -expressed his surprise and regret that no object indicated the -locality of such an important historical event, when Mr. Field said -he would erect a memorial-stone there at his own expense upon certain -conditions. A few days afterward (October, 1878) he wrote to a citizen -of Tappaan: - -"I am perfectly willing to erect a monument on 'André Hill' [so named -by the people in commemoration of the event which occurred there], and -the dean will write an inscription, if the people who own the land will -make a grant of about twenty square feet for the purpose." - -So soon as it became known that Mr. Field proposed to erect a -memorial-stone at Tappaan, a correspondent of a New York morning -journal denounced the intention, upon the wholly erroneous assumption -that it was to be a "monument in honor of Major André, the British -spy." Other correspondents, equally uninformed, followed with -denunciations. A storm of apparently indignant protests, or worse, -ensued; and one writer, lacking courage to give his name, made a threat -that, if Mr. Field should set up a memorial-stone upon the place where -André was executed, "ten thousand men" were ready to pull it down and -cast it into the river! These writers, many of whom concealed their -real names, created considerable feeling in the public mind unfavorable -to the project, and elicited a multitude of appeals to the patriotism -and the prejudices of the American people, to oppose what?--a phantom! - -This intemperate and unwise correspondence continued several weeks. -There were calm defenders of Mr. Field's motives in proposing to -erect a monument, by persons who were well informed and had a clear -perception of the intent and importance of such an act. The discussion -was fruitful of some good. It had the salutary effect of calling public -attention to the claims of _Nathan Hale_, the notable martyr spy of the -Revolution, to a memorial tribute--a public recognition of his virtues -and his deeds--which had been so long deferred by our people. These -claims were now earnestly advocated, not only by Mr. Field's critics, -but by patriotic citizens. Considerable sums of money were offered for -the laudable purpose of erecting a suitable monument in the city of New -York to the memory of Hale. Several persons offered one hundred dollars -each. - -Before the visit of Mr. Field and the dean, Mr. Henry Whittemore, -a public-spirited citizen of Tappan, and Secretary of the Rockland -County Historical Society, had found four living men who were present -at the disinterment of André's remains in 1821. With these men he -went to "André Hill," where they identified the place of the spy's -grave.[59] The requisite plot of ground was secured by Mr. Field, who -was compelled to buy many surrounding acres at an exorbitant price. -Then, relying upon the good sense, the intelligence, and the patriotism -of the American people for a just appreciation of his motives, he -proceeded to have a memorial-stone prepared. - -Soon after Dean Stanley returned home he wrote the promised -inscription, and, in a letter to Mr. Whittemore (January, 1879), he -said: - -[Illustration: - - A wreath of autumnal leaves from the Hudson I had placed on the - monument in the abbey-- attracts universal admiration. - - I remain, - yours gratefully, - - A.P. Stanley - -Dean Stanley's Autograph.] - - "I have sent to Mr. Cyrus W. Field the inscription suggested. Perhaps - you will kindly see that the facts are correctly stated. It is - desirable that the inscription should contain neither an attack nor a - defense of André, but only an expression of sympathy with him in his - tragical fate, and with Washington for the difficult circumstances in - which the judges were placed. - - "A wreath of autumn leaves from the Hudson I had placed on the - monument in the abbey attracts universal attention. I have also the - silver medals of Washington's headquarters, and the old Dutch church - at Tappaan. - - "I remain, yours gratefully, - - "_A.P. Stanley_."[60] - -On the 2d of October, 1879, the ninety-ninth anniversary of the -execution of André, the monument prepared by Mr. Field's order, and -placed over the spot where the spy was buried, was uncovered in the -presence of representatives of the Historical Societies of New York, -and Rockland County, of officers of the army of the United States, of -the newspaper press and other gentlemen, and a few ladies. At noon, the -hour of the day when André was executed, Mr. Field directed the workmen -to uncover the memorial. There was no pomp or ceremony on the occasion. -Not a speech was uttered, nor a token of applause given. - -From "André Hill" the company went with Mr. Whittemore to his home in -Washington's headquarters and the room in which André's death-warrant -was signed. While there the neglect of the memory of Nathan Hale, shown -by the American people, was spoken of, when Mr. Field said: - - "Gentlemen, if I may be granted permission, I will erect a monument in - memory of Nathan Hale on the spot where he suffered death in the city - of New York, if the place may be found." - -Several years ago Mr. Field made a similar offer to the New York -Historical Society.[61] More than thirty years before, he was a -contributor to the fund raised to erect the modest monument in memory -of Hale at South Coventry, delineated on page 26; and he was next to -the largest contributor to the fund for procuring the bronze statue -of a captor of André that surmounts the monument at Tarrytown, which -commemorates that important event. - -The memorial-stone erected at Tappaan is composed of a shaft of Quincy -gray granite, standing upon a pedestal of the same material. The whole -structure is about nine feet in height from the ground to the apex. It -is perfectly chaste in design. There is no ornamentation. The granite -is highly polished. It stands upon an elevation, about two miles from -the Hudson River, and thirty yards from the boundary-line between New -York and New Jersey, and overlooks a beautiful country.[62] On its west -side it bears the following inscription, written by Dean Stanley: - - "HERE DIED, OCTOBER 2, 1780, - MAJOR JOHN ANDRÉ, OF THE BRITISH ARMY, - WHO, ENTERING THE AMERICAN LINES - ON A SECRET MISSION TO BENEDICT ARNOLD, - FOR THE SURRENDER OF WEST POINT, - WAS TAKEN PRISONER, TRIED AND CONDEMNED AS A SPY. - HIS DEATH, - THOUGH ACCORDING TO THE STERN RULE OF WAR, - MOVED EVEN HIS ENEMIES TO PITY; - AND BOTH ARMIES MOURNED THE FATE - OF ONE SO YOUNG AND SO BRAVE. - IN 1821 HIS REMAINS WERE REMOVED TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY. - A HUNDRED YEARS AFTER THE EXECUTION - THIS STONE WAS PLACED ABOVE THE SPOT WHERE HE LAY, - BY A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, AGAINST WHICH HE FOUGHT, - NOT TO PERPETUATE THE RECORD OF STRIFE, - BUT IN TOKEN OF THOSE BETTER FEELINGS - WHICH HAVE SINCE UNITED TWO NATIONS, - ONE IN RACE, IN LANGUAGE, AND IN RELIGION, - WITH THE HOPE THAT THIS FRIENDLY UNION - WILL NEVER BE BROKEN." - -On the north face: - - "HE WAS MORE UNFORTUNATE THAN CRIMINAL." - "AN ACCOMPLISHED MAN AND GALLANT OFFICER." - - GEORGE WASHINGTON. - -The first of these two lines was quoted from a letter of Washington to -Count de Rochambeau, October 10, 1780. (See Sparks's "Life and Writings -of Washington," vol. vii, p. 241.) The second line is from the sentence -of a letter written by Washington to Colonel John Laurens on the 13th -of October. (See Sparks, vol. vii, p. 256.) - -On the north face of the stone are the words: - - "SUNT LACRYMÆ RERUM ET MENTEM MORTALIA TANGUNT." - -The east front was left blank for another inscription. - -[Illustration: Memorial at Tappaan.] - -Such, in a few sentences, is the story of the erection of the -memorial-stone at Tappaan by Mr. Field. The idea was the product of -spontaneous thought, elicited by a special occasion. The sole object -to be attained is the laudable and patriotic one of perpetuating, by a -visible record, the memory of one of the most important events in our -history, at the place of its occurrence. That event has two prominent -aspects, namely: the courage, patriotism, faith in the American -people, and the unswerving fidelity in the discharge of a momentous -trust, of our beloved Washington and his officers, in the face of most -extraordinary temptations to do otherwise; and the execution as a spy -of the adjutant-general of the British army, while that army, twenty -thousand strong, was lying only a few miles distant, and supported by -powerful ships of war. - -These were the events to be commemorated by this memorial-stone, and -not the name or character of any individual. It was no more a monument -"in honor of Major André, the British spy," than was the monument -of white marble, twenty-five feet in height, which was erected by -patriotic men, in 1853, to mark the spot at Tarrytown where the spy -was captured, or the naming of the rivulet near which it stands "André -Brook." Surely every intelligent and right-minded American, clearly -comprehending the truth of the whole matter, will award to Mr. Field -the meed of praise for his generous and patriotic deed. - -An attempt was made on the night of November 3, 1885, to destroy the -beautiful memorial-stone at Tappaan by an explosion of dynamite. The -pedestal was shattered into pieces, but the shaft was only shaken -from its perpendicular position. This crime was the logical result -of persistent misrepresentation of the character and intent of the -memorial in some of the newspapers. Twice before, attempts had been -made to destroy it; the first time by a defacement of the inscription -by a misguided person who, on a dark night, battered the letters, many -of them almost beyond recognition. The destroyer[63] left a small -American flag hanging over the monument from a stick, supported by a -pile of stones, upon the apex; also the following lines, the product, -evidently, of one moved by a spirit of conscious untruthfulness, or of -profound ignorance of the character of the object assailed: - - "Too long hath stood the traitor's shaft, - A monument to shame, - Built up to praise the traitor's craft, - To sanctify ill fame. - Are freemen bound to still forbear, - And meekly still implore, - When conquered foes their altars rear - Within our very door. - - "This vulgar and insulting stone - Would honor for all time, - Not sneaking André's death alone, - But black Ben Arnold's crime. - And they, who thus can glorify - The traitor and his deeds, - Themselves high treason would employ - If 'twould fulfill their needs. - - "Americans! resolve, proclaim - That on our own dear land, - Never, while the people reign, - Shall treason's statue stand! - And he who dares erect it next, - On fair Columbia's breast, - With furtive or with false pretext, - Shall dangle from its crest!" - -The second attempt to destroy the memorial-stone was made on a dark -night. Nitro-glycerine or dynamite was used for the purpose. The -explosion was heard for miles around. The perpetrator of the deed was -not discovered. The stones of the pedestal were shattered, but the -shaft remained in an upright position. - -Mr. Field had the damages to the memorial repaired. He designed to have -the acres around it fashioned into a handsome little park. He also -proposed to erect within the grounds a fire-proof building for the use -of the Rockland County Historical and Forestry Society as a depository -of historical and other relics of that county, the building to be -presented to the society, and the park to the citizens of Tappaan, as a -free gift. The outrage of November 3, 1885, may frustrate this generous -plan. - -Two days after that outrage, a New York morning journal of large -circulation and wide influence declared that "the malignity with -which the people about Tappaan regard Mr. Field's monument to André -appears to be settled and permanent." To this grave indictment of -the inhabitants of a portion of Rockland County as participants in -the crime, that people responded by resolutions unanimously adopted -at an indignation meeting held at the Reformed Church at Tappaan on -the evening of the 9th. They denounced the charge as utterly untrue, -expressed their belief that no person in the vicinity had "the remotest -connection" with the crime; that it was desirable to have the place -of André's execution indicated by a memorial-stone with a suitable -inscription, and commended Mr. Field for his zeal in perpetuating -events of the Revolution in such a manner.[64] - -In the foregoing narrative I have endeavored to present a brief, plain, -and truthful story of the memorial at Tappaan, about which so much has -been said and written. I have fashioned it from trustworthy materials. -I have simply recorded the facts, and leave the readers to form their -own conclusions. - -The monument at Tarrytown has been alluded to. It was erected in -1853, on the spot where tradition says Major André was captured, to -commemorate that event. It bore upon a tablet the following inscription: - -[Illustration: Monument and Statue at Tarrytown.] - -"On this spot, the 23d of September, 1780, the spy, Major John André, -Adjutant-General of the British Army, was captured by John Paulding, -David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart, all natives of this county. History -has told the rest. - -"The people of Westchester County have erected this monument as well to -commemorate a great event as to testify their high estimation of that -integrity and patriotism which, rejecting every temptation, rescued the -United States from most imminent peril by baffling the acts of a spy -and the plots of a traitor. Dedicated October 7, 1853." - -The citizens of Westchester County, desirous of giving more -significance to this monument, caused its conical shaft to be removed, -and in its place erected a bronze statue of a captor--a young volunteer -soldier. This statue is the work of the accomplished sculptor, Mr. -O'Donovan, of New York. - -The monument and statue were unveiled in the presence of thousands of -spectators on the centennial of the event commemorated--the 23d of -September, 1880. On that occasion Samuel J. Tilden presided. A prayer -was offered by the venerable son of one of the captors, Isaac Van Wart, -and an oration was pronounced by Chauncey M. Depew. General James -Husted was the marshal of the day. - -On one face of the monument is the old inscription, and upon another, -next to the highway, is a fine bronze _bas-relief_ representing the -scene of the capture. This also is from the _atelier_ of Mr. O'Donovan. -An excellent picture of this work of art and of the statue may be found -in the "Memorial Souvenir of the Monument Association," prepared by Dr. -Nathaniel C. Husted, secretary of the association. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 56: The original drawing from which the engraving was made -was received from London in 1849 by the author of this little work, -together with a copy of a profile likeness of André--simply the head -and shoulders--said to have been drawn by himself.] - -[Footnote 57: Upon a panel is the following inscription: "Sacred to the -memory of Major JOHN ANDRÉ, who, raised to the rank of Adjutant-General -of the British Army in America, and employed in an important and -hazardous enterprise, fell a sacrifice to his zeal for his king and -country, on the 2d of October, A.D. 1780, eminently beloved and -esteemed by the army in which he served, and lamented even by his foes. -His gracious sovereign, King George the Third, has caused this monument -to be erected." - -After the removal of André's remains to Westminster Abbey, as mentioned -in the text, the following inscription was cut upon the base of the -pedestal: - -"The remains of Major JOHN ANDRÉ were, on the 10th of August, 1821, -removed from Tappaan by James Buchanan, Esq., his Majesty's Consul at -New York, under instructions from his Royal Highness the Duke of York, -and, with the permission of the Dean and Chapter, finally deposited in -a grave contiguous to this monument on the 28th of November, 1821."] - -[Footnote 58: It was chiefly through the liberality and personal -influence of Mr. Lee that the funds were raised for procuring the fine -bronze equestrian statue of Washington, by H.K. Brown, at Union Square, -New York. That was the first statue erected in the open air in that -city, and is not surpassed in artistic merit by any since set up there.] - -[Footnote 59: Mr. Whittemore had procured this identification fully six -months before the visit of Mr. Field and his guests, with the view to -have a memorial-stone placed upon the spot. He had consulted with the -owner of the land about it. The latter believed it would enhance the -value of his property, and favored the project.] - -[Footnote 60: Above may be seen a _fac-simile_ of the last paragraph of -Dean Stanley's letter.] - -[Footnote 61: The letter of Mr. Field conveying his generous offer -to the New York Historical Society (September, 1880) was referred -to the Executive Committee. They warmly recommended its favorable -consideration by the society. In their report, referring to the event -commemorated by the memorial-stone at Tappaan, the committee said it -was an "event which, perhaps, more signally than any other act of -his life, illustrates the wisdom and firmness of Washington under -circumstances of peculiar trial, in which even his devoted followers -were disposed to question his humanity, if not his justice, and almost -to fall in with the sentimental calumny of the day, which has been so -often reviewed and refuted as to become ridiculous. The memorial-stone -of André's execution is a monument to Washington."] - -[Footnote 62: The engraving is from the original drawing of the -architect. Just below the inscription, at the bottom of the shaft, is -cut "Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, Dean of Westminster."] - -[Footnote 63: It was ascertained that the perpetrator of the crime was -a "crank"--a printer, in the city of New York--who, after eluding the -officers of the law for some time, finally died.] - -[Footnote 64: A petition addressed to the Governor of the State, asking -him to assist in an effort to discover the perpetrator of the crime, -was signed by a large number of the most respectable citizens of -Rockland County.] - - - - -MONODY ON MAJOR ANDRÉ. - -[Illustration: Anna Seward.] - - -THE AUTHOR OF THE MONODY. - - -Anna Seward, the abiding friend and ever-faithful correspondent of -Major André until his death, was a daughter of Thomas Seward, the -canon-resident of Lichfield Cathedral. She was born at Eyam, in -Derbyshire, England, in 1747. Her education, superior to that of most -girls of her time, was superintended by her father, who was a graduate -of Oxford, a man of great moral worth, and noted for his scholarship. - -Miss Seward evinced a taste and a genius for poetic composition at a -very early age, and before she reached the period of young womanhood -she attracted the attention of local literary characters. She became -a great favorite of Dr. Samuel Johnson, who was a native of Lichfield -and was a frequent guest at the house of her father. On one occasion, -when she was about fourteen years of age, she wrote a clever poetical -address of welcome to Dr. Johnson, which greatly pleased the recipient. -Miss Seward is often incidentally mentioned in Boswell's "Life of -Johnson." Writing of a visit at Mr. Seward's in 1775, when Anna was -twenty-eight years of age, Boswell, Johnson's shadow, says, "And -now, for the first time, I had the pleasure of seeing his celebrated -daughter, Miss Anna Seward, to whom I have since been indebted for many -civilities." - -Miss Seward's first acquaintance with young André, her interest in -his love-affair with Honora Sneyd, and her pleasant epistolary and -personal intercourse with him until his departure for America, have -been referred to in the early portions of the brief notice of that -young soldier's career contained in this volume. During his service in -America she was his constant correspondent; and she first informed him -of the death of Honora a short time before his own tragic exit from -earth. - -The circumstances attending the death of her friend inspired Miss -Seward to write her most notable and most admired poem, "Monody on -Major André." She was then thirty-three years old. It was printed -for the author at Lichfield early in 1781. Being consonant in its -utterances with the feelings of the British public at that time, it -had a large sale, and produced a powerful sensation. She received -congratulatory letters from literary people and others in various parts -of the kingdom. No man was more delighted with it than was Dr. Johnson, -"the colossus of English literature." - -Johnson was a fierce Tory, and hated the Americans with a spirit of -savage ferocity. On one occasion, while at Lichfield, he said, "I am -willing to love all mankind, excepting an American." He called them -"rascals," "robbers and pirates," and angrily exclaimed, "I'd burn -and destroy them!" Boswell says Miss Seward, who was present at this -outburst of passion, and whose feelings were favorable to the American -cause, boldly rebuked Johnson, saying, "Sir, this is an instance that -we are most violent against those we have most injured." This delicate -but keen reproach irritated Johnson still more, and, says Boswell, -"he roared out another tremendous volley, which one might fancy could -be heard across the Atlantic." But Johnson and Anna Seward remained -good friends until a short time before the death of the former. They -corresponded with each other, and frequently met in social circles. - -I have said Dr. Johnson was delighted by Miss Seward's "Monody." -He exhibited that delight in the most public manner by writing and -publishing in the "Gentleman's Magazine," over his own signature, the -following poetic epistle to the author: - - -"To Miss Seward, on her Monody on Major André: - - "Above the frigid etiquette of form, - With the same animated feelings warm, - I come, fair maid, enamored of thy lays, - With tribute verse, to swell the note of praise. - Nor let the gentle Julia's[65] hand disclaim - The bold intrusion of an honest strain. - Nor is it mine alone--'tis the full voice - Of such as honor with no vulgar choice,[66] - Of such as feel each glowing line along - Once the bright subject of an humble song.[67] - The treasures of the female heart make known - By copying the soft movements of her own. - Woman should walk arrayed in her own robe, - The hope, the boast, the blessing of the globe. - - "_Shrewsbury._ S. Johnson." - -Miss Seward's "Monody" was dedicated to Sir Henry Clinton. To it were -appended three letters written to her by young André immediately after -his betrothal to and personal separation from Honora Sneyd. These I -have appended to the "Monody," The printed copy of that poem, before -me, bears the autograph signature of Anna Seward at the end. - -It was not long after Johnson's poetical epistle to the author of the -"Monody" appeared before an interruption of the goodly feeling between -him and his fair friend occurred. In 1782 Johnson's "Lives of the -British Poets" appeared, in which he severely criticised the poetry of -her cherished friend Thomas Hayley. Ever ready and prompt to defend -heroically those she had learned to esteem, she instantly took fire at -the attack, and she wrote letters to her friends which were far from -complimentary to Johnson. To Hayley she wrote: - -"You have seen Dr. Johnson's 'Lives of the Poets.' They have excited -your generous indignation. A heart like Hayley's would shrink -astonished to perceive a mind so enriched with the power of genius -capable of such cool malignity. Yet the 'Gentleman's Magazine' praised -these unworthy efforts to blight the laurels of undoubted fame. Oh, -that the venom may fall where it ought!" - -Animadversions by Miss Seward more severe than this found their way, -without her consent, into the public prints, and deeply offended Dr. -Johnson. The breach thus made was never healed. Miss Seward refused to -retract a word, but persisted in her utterances. Sometimes, even after -the death of Dr. Johnson, in 1784, they were spiced with attacks upon -his personal character. These attacks drew from Boswell a defense of -his dead friend, whom he almost adored, and in 1793 he and Miss Seward -carried on a spirited controversy in the "Gentleman's Magazine." - -Miss Seward's writings in verse and prose were quite voluminous. The -latter, consisting of her literary correspondence from 1784 to 1807, -was published in six volumes in the latter year. Her poetical works, -with extracts from her literary correspondence, edited by Sir Walter -Scott, were published in three volumes in 1810. Next to her "Monody," -in point of excellence and popularity, was her "Elegy on Captain James -Cook," the famous circumnavigator of the globe. Of this performance Sir -Walter Scott said, "It conveyed a high impression of the original power -of the author." - -The literary fame of Anna Seward has not been enduring, and she, who -was a conspicuous figure in the world of letters in England during -the last quarter of the eighteenth century, is now almost forgotten. -Her known social relations to Major André, and her "Monody," have -perpetuated her memory in the minds of Americans. It is said that, -when she was fully informed of all the circumstances connected with -the death of André, she was satisfied that she had been unjust toward -Washington in her animadversions upon his character in her poem, and -expressed a regret that she had so misjudged him. - -Miss Seward, in a letter to her friend Miss Ponsonby, related that -several years after the peace a friend of Washington's, an American -officer, introduced himself to her (Miss Seward), saying he was -commissioned by General Washington to call upon her and assure her that -no circumstance of his life had been so mortifying as to be censured -in the "Monody" on André as the pitiless author of his ignominious -fate; that he had labored to save him; and that he requested his friend -to leave with Miss Seward a package of papers which he had sent, -consisting of copies of the records of the court-martial, etc. "The -American officer referred to," says Sargent, "is supposed to have been -Colonel Humphreys." - -Various opinions have been expressed concerning the writings of Miss -Seward. The literary circle of Lichfield, of which she was the -central figure, appears to have been a mutual-admiration society. The -productions of each member appear to have been eulogized by every -other member. Her friend, the celebrated Dr. Erasmus Darwin, declared -that she was "the inventress of epic elegy"; the eccentric philosopher -Day called her a "prodigy of genius"; while the wits of London gently -ridiculed the pretensions of the literary Lichfieldians. Horace Walpole -wrote: "Misses Seward and Williams, and a half a dozen more of these -harmonious virgins, have no imagination, no novelty. Their thoughts -and phrases are like their gowns--old remnants cut and turned." The -Rev. Alexander Dyce wrote: "She was endowed with considerable genius, -and with an ample portion of that fine enthusiasm which sometimes may -be taken for it; but her taste was far from good, and her numerous -productions (a few excepted) are disfigured by florid ornament and -elaborate magnificence." - -After Miss Seward's death, in 1809, there was published a small volume -with the title of "The Beauties of Anna Seward." She died a maiden. The -portrait preceding this brief memoir is a carefully drawn copy with pen -and ink of an engraving by A. Carden, from the original picture painted -in 1763, when she was sixteen years of age, by Tilly Kettle, an English -portrait-painter of note, who was then only about twenty-three years of -age. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 65: André in his correspondence with Miss Seward on the topic -of Honora addressed her as "Julia."] - -[Footnote 66: A reading society at Shrewsbury is here alluded to.] - -[Footnote 67: Alluding to an "Essay on Woman," written by Johnson.] - - - - - MONODY - - ON - - MAJOR ANDRÉ. - - By Miss SEWARD, - - (AUTHOR OF THE ELEGY ON CAPTAIN COOK.) - - - TO WHICH ARE ADDED - LETTERS ADDRESSED TO HER - By MAJOR ANDRÉ, - - IN THE YEAR 1769. - - - LICHFIELD: - - PRINTED AND SOLD BY J. JACKSON, FOR THE AUTHOR; - SOLD ALSO BY ROBINSON, PATER-NOSTER ROW; CADELL AND EVANS, IN THE - STRAND, LONDON; PRINCE, OXFORD; MERRILL, CAMBRIDGE; - AND PRATT AND CLINCH, BATH. - - M.DCC.LXXXI. - - [_Price, Two-Shillings-and-Six-Pence._] - - - - - TO - - HIS EXCELLENCY, - - SIR HENRY CLINTON, - - KNIGHT OF THE BATH. - - Sir: _With the zeal of a religious Enthusiast to his murdered Saint, - the Author of this mournful Eulogium consecrates it to the Memory of - Major André, who fell a Martyr in the Cause of his King and Country, - with the firm Intrepidity of a Roman, and the amiable Resignation of a - Christian Hero._ - - _Distant Awe and Reverence prevent her offering these Effusions of - Gratitude to the Beneficent and Royal Patron of the André Family. May - Mr. André's illustrious General, the Guardian of his injured Honour, - his conspicuous and personal Friend, deign to accept them from One who - was once happy in the Friendship of the_ Glorious Sufferer. - - _Your Excellency's_ - _Most obedient humble Servant_, - Anna Seward. - - - - -MONODY - -ON - -MAJOR ANDRÉ. - - - Loud howls the storm! the vex'd Atlantic roars! - Thy Genius, Britain, wanders on its shores! - Hears cries of horror, wafted from afar, - And groans of Anguish, mid the shrieks of War! - Hears the deep curses of the Great and Brave, - Sigh in the wind, and murmur on the wave! - O'er his damp brow the sable crape he binds, - And throws his victor-garland[68] to the winds; - Bids haggard Winter, in her drear sojourn, - Tear the dim foliage from her drizzling urn; - With sickly yew unfragrant cypress twine, - And hang the dusky wreath round Honour's shrine. - Bids steel-clad valour chace his dove-like Bride, - Enfeebling Mercy, from his awful side; - Where long she sat, and check'd the ardent rein, - As whirl'd his chariot o'er th' embattled plain; - Gilded with sunny smile her April tear, - Rais'd her white arm and stay'd th' uplifted spear; - Then, in her place, bid Vengeance mount the car, - And glut with gore th' insatiate Dogs of War!-- - With one pale hand the bloody scroll[69] he rears, - And bids his nations blot it with their tears; - And one, extended o'er th' Atlantic wave, - Points to his André's ignominious grave! - - And shall the Muse, that marks the solemn scene, - "As busy Fancy lifts the veil between," - Refuse to mingle in the awful train, - Nor breathe with glowing zeal the votive strain? - From public fame shall admiration fire - The boldest numbers of her raptur'd lyre - To hymn a Stranger?--and with ardent lay - Lead the wild mourner round her Cook's morai, - While André fades upon his dreary bier, - And Julia's[70] only tribute is her tear? - Dear, lovely Youth! whose gentle virtues stole - Thro' Friendship's soft'ning medium on her soul! - Ah no!--with every strong resistless plea, - Rise the recorded days she pass'd with thee, - While each dim shadow of o'erwhelming years, - With Eagle-glance reverted, Mem'ry clears. - - Belov'd companion of the fairest hours - That rose for her in joy's resplendent bow'rs, - How gaily shone on thy bright Morn of Youth - The Star of Pleasure, and the Sun of Truth! - Full from their Source descended on thy mind - Each gen'rous virtue, and each taste refin'd. - Young Genius led thee to his varied fane, - Bade thee ask[71] all his gifts, nor ask in vain; - Hence novel thoughts, in ev'ry lustre drest - Of pointed wit, that diamond of the breast; - Hence glow'd thy fancy with poetic ray, - Hence music warbled in thy sprightly lay; - And hence thy pencil, with his colours warm, - Caught ev'ry grace, and copied ev'ry charm, - Whose transient glories beam on Beauty's cheek, - And bid the glowing Ivory breathe and speak. - Blest pencil! by kind Fate ordain'd to save - Honora's semblance from[72]her early grave, - Oh! while on[73]Julia's arm it sweetly smiles, - And each lorn thought, each long regret beguiles, - Fondly she weeps the hand, which form'd the spell, - Now shroudless mould'ring in its earthy cell! - - But sure the Youth, whose ill-starr'd passion strove - With all the pangs of inauspicious Love, - Full oft' deplor'd the Fatal Art, that stole - The jocund freedom of its Master's soul! - While with nice hand he mark'd the living grace, - And matchless sweetness of Honora's face, - Th' enamour'd Youth the faithful traces blest, - That barb'd the dart of Beauty in his breast; - Around his neck th' enchanting Portrait hung, - While a warm vow burst ardent from his tongue, - That from his bosom no succeeding day, - No chance should bear that Talisman away. - 'Twas thus[74]Apelles bask'd in Beauty's blaze, - And felt the mischief of the steadfast gaze; - Trac'd with disorder'd hand Campaspe's charms, - And as their beams the kindling Canvas warms, - Triumphant Love, with still superior art, - Engraves their wonders on the Painter's heart. - - Dear lost Companion! ever-constant Youth! - That Fate had smil'd propitious on thy Truth! - Nor bound th' ensanguin'd laurel on that brow - Where Love ordain'd his brightest wreath to glow! - Then Peace had led thee to her softest bow'rs, - And Hymen strew'd thy path with all his flow'rs; - Drawn to thy roof, by Friendship's silver cord, - Each social Joy had brighten'd at thy board; - Science, and soft Affection's blended rays - Had shone unclouded on thy lengthen'd days; - From hour to hour thy taste, with conscious pride, - Had mark'd new talents in thy lovely Bride; - Till thou hadst own'd the magic of her face - Thy fair Honora's least engaging grace. - Dear lost Honora! o'er thy early bier - Sorrowing the Muse still sheds her sacred tear! - The blushing Rose-bud in its vernal bed, - By Zephyrs fann'd, by glist'ring Dew-drops fed, - In June's gay morn that scents the ambient air, - Was not more sweet, more innocent or fair. - Oh! when such Pairs their kindred Spirit find, - When Sense and Virtue deck each spotless Mind, - Hard is the doom that shall the union break, - And Fate's dark billow rises o'er the wreck. - - Now Prudence, in her cold and thrifty care, - Frown'd on the Maid, and bade the Youth despair, - For Pow'r Parental sternly saw, and strove - To tear the lily-bands of plighted love; - Nor strove in vain;--but while the Fair-One's sighs - Disperse, like April storms in sunny skies, - The firmer Lover, with unswerving truth, - To his first passion consecrates his Youth; - Tho' four long years a night of absence prove, - Yet Hope's soft Star shone trembling on his Love; - Till[75]hov'ring Rumour chas'd the pleasing dream - And veil'd with Raven-wing the silver beam. - "Honora lost! my happy Rival's Bride! - "Swell ye full Sails! and roll thou mighty Tide! - "O'er the dark Waves forsaken André bear - "Amid the vollying Thunders of the War! - "To win bright Glory from my Country's foes, - "E'en in this ice of Love, my bosom glows. - "Voluptuous London! in whose gorgeous bow'rs - "The frolic Pleasures lead the dancing Hours, - "From Orient-vales Sabean-odours bring, - "Nor ask her roses of the tardy Spring; - "Where Paintings burn the Grecian Meed to claim - "From the high Temple of immortal Fame, - "Bears to the radiant Goal, with ardent pace, - "Her Kauffman's Beauty, and her Reynolds' Grace; - "Where Music floats the glitt'ring roofs among, - "And with meand'ring cadence swells the Song, - "While sun-clad Poesy the Bard inspires, - "And foils the Grecian Harps, the Latian Lyres. - - "Ye soft'ning Luxuries! ye polish'd Arts! - "Bend your enfeebling rays on tranquil Hearts! - "I quit the Song, the Pencil, and the Lyre, - "White robes of Peace, and Pleasure's soft Attire, - "To seize the Sword, to mount the rapid Car, - "In all the proud habiliments of War.-- - "Honora lost! I woo a sterner Bride, - "The arm'd Bellona calls me to her side; - "Harsh is the music of our marriage strain! - "It breathes in thunder from the Western plain! - "Wide o'er the wat'ry world its echoes roll, - "And rouse each latent ardour of my soul. - "And tho' unlike the soft melodious lay, - "That gaily wak'd Honora's nuptial day, - "Its deeper tones shall whisper, e'er they cease, - "More genuine transport, and more lasting peace! - - "Resolv'd I go!--nor from that fatal bourne - "To these gay scenes shall André's step return! - "Set is the Star of Love, that ought to guide - "His refluent Bark across the mighty Tide!-- - "But while my Country's Foes, with impious hand, - "Hurl o'er the blasted plains the livid brand - "Of dire Sedition!--Oh! let Heav'n ordain, - "While André lives, he may not live in vain! - - "Yet without one kind farewell, could I roam - "Far from my weeping Friends, my peaceful home, - "The best affections of my heart must cease, - "And gratitude be lost, with hope, and peace! - My lovely Sisters! who were wont to twine - "Your Souls' soft feeling with each wish of mine, - "Shall, when this breast beats high at Glory's call, - "From your mild eyes the show'rs of Sorrow fall?-- - "The light of Excellence, that round you glows, - "Decks with reflected beam your Brother's brows. - "Oh! may his Fame, in some distinguish'd day, - "Pour on that Excellence the brightest ray! - "Dim clouds of woe! ye veil each sprightly grace - "That us'd to sparkle in Maria's face.-- - "My[76]tuneful Anna to her lute complains, - "But Grief's fond throbs arrest the parting strains.-- - "Fair as the silver blossom on the thorn, - "Soft as the spirit of the vernal morn, - "Louisa, chace those trembling fears, that prove - "Th' ungovern'd terrors of a Sister's love. - "They bend thy sweet head, like yon lucid flow'r, - "That shrinks and fades beneath the summer's show'r-- - "Oh! smile, my Sisters, on this destin'd day, - "And with the radiant omen gild my way! - "And thou, my Brother, gentle as the gale, - "Whose breath perfumes anew the blossom'd vale, - "Yet quick of Spirit, as th' electric beam, - "When from the clouds its darting lightnings stream, - "Soothe with incessant care our Mother's woes, - "And hush her anxious sighs to soft repose.-- - "And be ye sure, when distant far I stray - "To share the dangers of the arduous day, - "Your tender faithful amity shall rest - "The[77] last dear record of my grateful breast. - - "Oh! graceful Priestess at the fane of Truth, - "Friend of my Soul! and Guardian of my Youth! - "Skill'd to convert the duty to the choice, - "My gentle Mother!--in whose melting voice - "The virtuous precept, that perpetual flow'd, - "With music warbled, and with beauty glow'd, - "Thy Tears!--ah Heav'n!--not drops of molten lead, - "Pour'd on thy hapless Son's devoted head, - "With keener smart had each sensation torn!-- - "They wake the nerve where agonies are born! - "But oh! restrain me not!--thy tender strife, - "What wou'd it save?--alas!--thy André's life! - "Oh! what a weary pilgrimage 'twill prove - "Strew'd with the thorns of disappointed Love! - "Ne'er can he break the charm, whose fond controul, - "By habit rooted, lords it o'er his soul, - "If here he languish in inglorious ease, - "Where Science palls, and Pleasures cease to please. - "'Tis Glory only, with her potent ray, - "Can chace the clouds that darken all his way. - "Then dry those pearly drops that wildly flow, - "Nor snatch the laurel from my youthful brow!-- - "The Rebel Standard blazes to the noon! - "And Glory's path is bright before thy Son! - "Then join thy voice! and thou with Heav'n ordain - "While André lives, he may not live in vain!" - - He says!--and sighing seeks the busy strand, - Where anchor'd Navies wait the wish'd command. - To the full gale the nearer billows roar, - And proudly lash the circumscribing shore; - While furious on the craggy coast they rave, - All calm and lovely rolls the distant wave; - For onward, as th' unbounded waters spread, - Deep sink the rocks in their capacious bed, - And all their pointed terror's utmost force - But gently interrupts the billow's course. - - So on his present hour rude Passion preys! - So smooth the prospect of his future days! - Unconscious of the Storm, that grimly sleeps, - To wreck its fury on th' unshelter'd Deeps! - Now yielding Waves divide before the prow, - The white sails bend, the streaming pennants glow; - And swiftly waft him to the Western plain, - Where fierce Bellona rages o'er the slain. - - Firm in their strength, opposing Legions stand, - Prepar'd to drench with blood the thirsty Land. - Now Carnage hurls her flaming bolts afar, - And Desolation groans amid the War. - As bleed the Valiant, and the Mighty yield, - Death stalks, the only Victor, o'er the field. - - Foremost in all the horrors of the day, - Impetuous André[78] leads the glorious way; - Till, rashly bold, by numbers forc'd to yield, - They drag him captive from the long-fought field.-- - Around the Hero crowd th' exulting Bands, - And seize the spoils of war with bloody hands, - Snatch the dark plumage from his awful crest, - And tear the golden crescent from his breast; - The sword, the tube, that wings the death from far, - And all the fatal implements of War! - - Silent, unmov'd the gallant Youth survey'd - The lavish spoils triumphant Ruffians made. - The idle ornament, the useless spear - He little recks, but oh! there is a fear - Pants with quick throb, while yearning sorrows dart - Thro' his chill frame, and tremble at his heart: - - "What tho' Honora's voice no more shall charm! - "No more her beamy smile my bosom warm! - "Yet from these eyes shall force for ever tear - "The sacred Image of that Form so dear?-- - "Shade of my Love![79]--tho' mute and cold thy charms, - "Ne'er hast thou blest my happy Rival's arms! - "To my sad heart each Dawn has seen thee prest! - "Each Night has laid thee pillow'd on my breast! - "Force shall not tear thee from thy faithful shrine; - "Shade of my Love! thou shalt be ever mine! - - "'Tis fix'd!--these lips shall resolute enclose - "The precious Soother of my ceaseless woes. - "And shou'd relentless Violence invade - "This last retreat, by frantic Fondness made, - "One way remains!--Fate whispers to my Soul - "Intrepid[80]Portia and her burning coal! - "So shall the throbbing Inmate of my breast - "From Love's sole gift meet everlasting rest!" - - While these sad thoughts in swift succession fire - The smother'd embers of each fond desire, - Quick to his mouth his eager hands removes - The beauteous semblance of the Form he loves. - That darling treasure safe, resign'd he wears - The sordid robe, the scanty viand shares; - With cheerful fortitude content to wait - The barter'd ransom of a kinder Fate. - - Now many a Moon in her pale course had shed - The pensive beam on André's captive head. - At length the Sun rose jocund, to adorn - With all his splendour the enfranchis'd Morn. - Again the Hero joins the ardent Train - That pours its thousands on the tented plain; - And shines distinguish'd in the long Array, - Bright as the silver Star that leads the Day! - His modest temperance, his wakeful heed, - His silent diligence, his ardent speed, - Each Warrior-duty to the Veteran taught, - Shaming the vain Experience Time had brought. - Dependence scarcely feels his gentle sway, - He shares each want, and smiles each grief away; - And to the virtues of a noble Heart, - Unites the talents of inventive Art. - Thus from his swift and faithful pencil flow - The Lines, the Camp, the Fortress of the Foe; - Serene to counteract each deep design, - Points the dark Ambush, and the springing Mine; - Till, as a breathing Incense, André's name - Pervades the Host, and swells the loud acclaim. - - The Chief no virtue views with cold regard, - Skill'd to discern, and generous to reward; - Each tow'ring hope his honour'd smiles impart, - As near his Person, and more near his Heart - The graceful Youth he draws,--and round his brow - Bids Rank and Pow'r their mingled brilliance throw. - - Oh! hast thou seen a blooming Morn of May - In crystal beauty shed the modest ray, - And with its balmy dews' refreshing show'r - Swell the young grain, and ope the purple flow'r, - In brightening lustre reach its radiant Noon, - Rob'd in the gayest mantle of the Sun? - Then 'mid the splendours of its azure skies, - Oh! hast thou seen the cruel Storm arise, - In sable horror shroud each dazzling charm, - And dash their glories back with icy arm? - - Thus lowr'd the deathful cloud amid the blaze - Of André's rising hopes,--and quench'd their rays! - Ah, fatal Embassy!--thy hazards dire - His kindling Soul with ev'ry ardour fire; - Great Clinton gives it to the courage prov'd, - And the known wisdom of the Friend he lov'd. - - As fair Euryalus, to meet his Fate, - With Nysus rushes from the Dardan gate, - Relentless Fate! whose fury scorns to spare - The snowy breast, red lip, and shining hair, - So polish'd André launches on the waves, - Where[81]Hudson's tide its dreary confine laves. - With firm intrepid foot the Youth explores - Each dangerous pathway of the hostile shores; - But on no Veteran-Chief his step attends, - As silent round the gloomy Wood he wends; - Alone he meets the brave repentant Foe, - Sustains his late resolve, receives his vow, - With ardent skill directs the doubtful course, - Seals the firm bond, and ratifies its force. - 'Tis thus, America, thy Generals fly, - And wave new banners in their native sky! - Sick of the mischiefs artful Gallia pours, - In friendly semblance on thy ravag'd shores. - Unnatural compact!--shall a Race of Slaves - Sustain the ponderous standard Freedom waves? - No! while their feign'd Protection spreads the toils, - The Vultures hover o'er the destin'd spoils! - How fade Provincial-glories, while ye run - To court far deeper bondage than ye shun! - Is this the generous active rising Flame, - That boasted Liberty's immortal name, - Blaz'd for its rights infring'd, its trophies torn, - And taught the Wife the dire mistake to mourn, - When haughty Britain, in a luckless hour, - With rage inebriate, and the lust of pow'r, - To fruitless conquest, and to countless graves, - Led her gay Legions o'er the Western waves? - The Friend of Discord, cow'ring at the prow, - Sat darkly smiling at th' impending woe! - - Long did my Soul the wretched strife survey, - And wept the horrors of the deathful day; - Thro' rolling Years saw undecisive War - Drag bleeding Wisdom at his iron Car; - Exhaust my Country's treasure, pour her gore - In fruitless conflict on the distant shore; - Saw the firm Congress all her might oppose, - And while I mourn'd her fate, rever'd her Foes. - - But when, repentant of her prouder aim, - She gently waives the long-disputed claim; - Extends the Charter with your Rights restor'd, - And hides in olive-wreaths the blood-stain'd sword, - Then to reject her peaceful wreaths, and throw - Your Country's Freedom to our mutual Foe!-- - Infatuate Land!--from that detested day - Distracted Councils, and the thirst of Sway, - Rapacious Avarice, Superstition vile, - And all the _Frenchman_ dictates in his guile - Disgrace your Congress!--Justice drops her scale! - And radiant Liberty averts her sail! - They fly indignant the polluted plain, - Where Truth is scorn'd, and Mercy pleads in vain. - That she does plead in vain, thy witness bear, - Accursed Hour!--thou darkest of the Year! - That with Misfortune's deadliest venom fraught, - To Tappan's Wall the gallant André brought. - - Oh Washington! I thought thee great and good, - Nor knew thy Nero-thirst of guiltless blood! - Severe to use the pow'r that Fortune gave, - Thou cool determin'd Murderer of the Brave! - Lost to each fairer Virtue, that inspires - The genuine fervor, of the patriot fires! - And You, the base Abettors of the doom, - That sunk his blooming honors in the tomb, - Th' opprobrious tomb your harden'd hearts decreed, - While all he ask'd was as the Brave to Bleed! - Nor other boon the glorious Youth implor'd - Save the cold Mercy of the Warrior-Sword! - O dark, and pitiless! your impious hate - O'er-whelm'd the Hero in the Ruffian's fate! - Stopt with the[82]Felon-cord the rosy breath! - And venom'd with disgrace the darts of Death! - Remorseless Washington! the day shall come - Of deep repentance for this barb'rous doom! - When injur'd André's memory shall inspire - A kindling Army with resistless fire; - Each falchion sharpen that the Britons wield, - And lead their fiercest Lion to the field! - Then, when each hope of thine shall set in night, - When dubious dread, and unavailing flight - Impel your Host, thy guilt-upbraided Soul - Shall wish untouch'd the sacred Life you stole! - And when thy Heart appall'd and vanquish'd Pride - Shall vainly ask the mercy they deny'd, - With horror shalt thou meet the fate they gave, - Nor Pity gild the darkness of thy grave! - For Infamy, with livid hand shall shed - Eternal mildew on the ruthless head! - - Less cruel far than thou, on Ilium's plain - Achilles, raging for Patroclus slain! - When hapless Priam bends the aged knee, - To deprecate the Victor's dire decree, - The nobler Greek, in melting pity spares - The lifeless Hector to his Father's prayers, - Fierce as he was;--'tis _Cowards_ only know - Persisting vengeance o'er a _fallen_ Foe. - - But no intreaty wakes the soft remorse, - Oh, murder'd André! for thy sacred Corse; - Vain were an army's, vain its Leader's sighs!-- - Damp in the Earth on Hudson's shore it lies! - Unshrouded welters in the wintry storm, - And gluts the riot of the[83]Tappan Worm! - But oh! its dust, like Abel's blood, shall rise, - And call for justice from the angry skies! - - What tho' the Tyrants, with malignant pride, - To thy pale Corse each decent rite deny'd! - Thy graceful limbs in no kind covert laid, - Nor with the Christian Requiem sooth'd thy shade! - Yet on thy grass-green Bier soft April-show'rs - Shall earliest wake the sweet spontaneous Flow'rs, - Bid the blue Hare-bell and the Snow-drop there - Hang their cold cup, and drop the pearly tear! - And oft, at pensive Eve's ambiguous gloom, - Imperial Honour, bending o'er thy tomb, - With solemn strains shall lull thy deep repose, - And with his deathless Laurels shade thy brows! - - Lamented Youth! while with inverted spear - The British Legions pour th' indignant tear! - Round the dropt arm the[84]funeral scarf entwine, - And in their heart's deep core thy worth enshrine, - While my weak Muse, in fond attempt and vain, - But feebly pours a perishable strain, - Oh! ye distinguish'd Few! whose glowing lays - Bright Phœbus kindles with his purest rays, - Snatch from its radiant source the living fire, - And light with[85]Vestal flame your André's Hallow'd Pyre. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 68: Victor-garland--alluding to the conquest by Lord -Cornwallis.] - -[Footnote 69: Bloody scroll. The court-martial decree, signed at -Tappan, for Major André's execution.] - -[Footnote 70: _Julia_--the name by which Mr. André addressed the author -in his correspondence with her.] - -[Footnote 71: _All his gifts._--Mr. André has conspicuous talents for -Poetry, Music, and Painting. The newspapers mentioned a satiric poem -of his upon Americans, which was supposed to have stimulated this -barbarity towards him ["The Cow-Chase"].--Of his wit and vivacity, the -letters subjoined to this work afford ample proof.--They were addressed -to the author by Mr. André when he was a youth of eighteen.] - -[Footnote 72: _Early grave._--Miss Honora S. [Honora Sneyd], to whom -Mr. André's attachment was of such singular constancy, died in a -consumption a few months before he suffer'd death at Tappan. She had -married another Gentleman [Richard Lovell Edgeworth] four years after -her engagement with Mr. André had been dissolved by parental authority.] - -[Footnote 73: _Julia's arm._--Mr. André drew two miniature pictures of -Miss Honora S. on his first acquaintance with her at Buxton, in the -year 1769, one for himself, the other for the author of this poem.] - -[Footnote 74: _'Twas thus Apelles._--Prior is very elegant upon this -circumstance in an Ode to his Friend, Mr. Howard the Painter.] - -[Footnote 75: _Hov'ring Rumour._--The tidings of Honora's Marriage. -Upon that event Mr. André quitted his Profession as a Merchant and -join'd our Army in America.] - -[Footnote 76: _Tuneful Anna._--Miss Anna André has a poetical talent.] - -[Footnote 77: _Last dear record._--"I have a Mother, and three Sisters, -to whom the value of my commission wou'd be an object, as the loss -of Grenada has much affected their income. It is needless to be more -explicit on this subject, I know your Excellency's goodness."--See -Major André's last letter to General Clinton, publish'd in the Gazette.] - -[Footnote 78: _Impetuous André._--It is in this passage only that -fiction has been employ'd thro' the narrative of the poem. Mr. André -was a prisoner in America, soon after his arrival there, but the Author -is unacquainted with the circumstances of the action in which he was -taken.] - -[Footnote 79: _Shade of my Love._--The miniature of Honora. A letter -from Major André to one of his Friends, written a few years ago, -contained the following sentence: "I have been taken prisoner by the -Americans and stript of everything except the picture of Honora, -which I concealed in my mouth. Preserving that, I yet think myself -fortunate."] - -[Footnote 80: - - _Intrepid Portia._--"_Brutus_.] Impatient of my absence, - "And grieved that young Octavius with Mark Antony - "Had made themselves so strong, she grew distracted, - "And, her Attendants absent, swallow'd fire. - "_Cassius._] And dy'd so? - "_Brutus._] Even so!" - -See Shakespear's Play of Julius Cæsar, Act IV., Scene IV.] - - -[Footnote 81: _Hudson's tide._--Major André came up the Hudson River to -meet General Arnold. On his return by Land he fell into the hands of -the Enemy.] - -[Footnote 82: _Felon-cord._--"As I suffer in the defence of my Country, -I must consider this hour as the most glorious of my life.--Remember -that I die as becomes a British Officer, while the manner of my death -must reflect disgrace on your Commander." See Major André's last words, -inserted in the General Evening Post, for Tuesday, November the 14, -1780.] - -[Footnote 83: _Tappan._--The place where Major André was executed.] - -[Footnote 84: _Funeral scarf._--Our whole Army in America went into -mourning for Major André, a distinguish'd tribute to his merit.] - -[Footnote 85: _Vestal flame._--The Vestal fire was kept perpetually -burning, and originally kindled from the rays of the Sun.] - - - - -LETTERS - -ADDRESSED TO THE AUTHOR OF THE FOREGOING POEM, BY MAJOR ANDRÉ, WHEN HE -WAS A YOUTH OF EIGHTEEN. - - -LETTER I. - - Clapton, _October 3, 1769_. - -From their agreeable excursion to Shrewsbury, my dearest friends are -by this time returned to their thrice-beloved Lichfield. Once again -have they beheld those fortunate _spires_, the constant witnesses of -all their pains and pleasures. I can well conceive the emotions of joy -which their first appearance, from the neighboring hills, excites after -absence; they seem to welcome you home, and invite you to reiterate -those hours of happiness, of which they are a species of monument. I -shall have an eternal love and reverence for them. Never shall I forget -the joy that danced in Honora's eyes, when she first showed them to me -from Needwood Forest on our return with you from Buxton to Lichfield. -I remember she called them the _Ladies of the Valley_--their lightness -and elegance deserve the title. Oh, how I loved them from that instant! -My enthusiasm concerning them is carried farther even than yours and -Honora's, for every object that has a pyramidal form recalls them to my -recollection, with a sensation that brings the tear of pleasure into my -eyes. - -How happy must you have been at Shrewsbury! only that you tell me, -alas! that dear Honora was not so well as you wished during your stay -there. I always hope the best. My impatient spirit rejects every -obtruding idea which I have not fortitude to support. Dr. Darwin's -skill and your tender care will remove that sad pain in her side, -which makes writing troublesome and injurious to her; which robs her -poor _cher Jean_[86] of those precious pages with which, he flatters -himself, she would otherwise have indulged him. So your happiness -at Shrewsbury scorned to be indebted to public amusements. Five -virgins, united in the soft bonds of friendship! how I should have -liked to have made the sixth! But you surprise me by such an absolute -exclusion of the beaux. I certainly thought that when five wise virgins -were watching at midnight, it must have been in expectation of the -bridegroom's coming. _We_ are at this instant five virgins, writing -round the same table--my three sisters, Mr. Ewer, and myself. I beg no -reflections injurious to the honor of poor _cher Jean_. My mother is -gone to pay a visit, and has left us in possession of the old coach; -but as for nags, we can boast only of two long-tails, and my sisters -say they are sorry cattle, being no other than my friend Ewer and -myself, who, to say the truth, have enormous pig-tails. - -My dear Boissier is come to town; he has brought a little of the -soldier with him, but he is the same honest, warm, intelligent friend I -always found him. He sacrifices the town diversions, since I will not -partake of them. - -We are jealous of your correspondents, who are so numerous. Yet, write -to the Andrés often, my dear Julia, for who are they that will value -your letters quite so much as we value them? - -The least scrap of a letter will be received with the greatest joy. -Write, therefore, though it were only to give us the comfort of -having a piece of paper which has recently passed through your hands; -Honora will put in a little postscript, were it only to tell me that -she is _my very sincere friend_, who will neither give me love nor -comfort--very short, indeed, Honora, was thy last postscript! But I -am too presumptuous; I will not scratch out, but I _un_say. From the -little there _was_ I received more joy than I deserve. This _cher Jean_ -is an impertinent fellow, but he will grow discreet in time. You must -consider him as a poor novice of _eighteen_, who, for all the sins he -may commit, is sufficiently punished in the single evil of being one -hundred and twenty miles from Lichfield. - -My mother and sisters will go to Putney in a few days, to stay some -time. We none of us like Clapton. _I_ need not care, for I am all -day long in town, but it is avoiding Scylla to fall into Charybdis. -You paint to me the pleasant vale of Stow in the richest autumnal -coloring. In return, I must tell you that my zephyrs are wafted through -cracks in the wainscot; for murmuring streams I have dirty kennels; -for bleating flocks, grunting pigs; and squalling cats for birds that -incessantly warble. I have said something of this sort in my letter to -Miss Spearman, and am twinged with the idea of these epistles being -confronted, and that I shall recall to your memory the fat knight's -love-letters to Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page. - -Julia, perhaps thou fanciest I am merry--alas! But I do not wish to -make you as doleful as myself; and besides, when I would express -the tender feelings of my soul, I have no language which does them -justice; if I had, I should regret that you could not have it fresher, -and that whatever one communicates by letter must go such a roundabout -way before it reaches one's correspondent--from the writer's heart, -through his head, arm, hand, pen, ink, paper, over many a weary hill -and dale, to the eye, head, and heart of the reader. I have often -regretted our not possessing a sort of faculty which should enable -our sensations, remarks, etc., to arise from their source in a sort -of exaltations, and fall upon our paper in words and phrases properly -adapted to express them, without passing through an imagination whose -operations so often fail to second those of the heart. Then what a -metamorphose should we see in people's style! How eloquent those who -are truly attached! how stupid they who falsely profess affection! -Perhaps the former had never been able to express half their regard; -while the latter, by their flowers of rhetoric, had made us believe -a thousand times more than they ever felt--but this is whimsical -moralizing. - -My sisters Penserosas were dispersed on their arrival in town, by the -joy of seeing Louisa and their dear little brother Billy again, our -kind and excellent Uncle Giradot, and Uncle Lewis André. I was glad to -see them, but they complained, not without reason, of the gloom upon my -countenance. Billy wept for joy that we were returned, while poor _cher -Jean_ was ready to weep for sorrow. Louisa is grown still handsomer -since we left her. Our sisters, Mary and Anne, knowing your partiality -to beauty, are afraid that, when they introduce her to you, she will -put their noses out of joint. Billy is not old enough for me to be -afraid of in the rival-way, else I should keep him aloof, for his heart -is formed of those affectionate materials so dear to the ingenuous -taste of Julia and her Honora. - -I sympathize in your resentment against the canonical dons who stumpify -the heads of those good green[87] people, beneath whose friendly -shade so many of your happiest hours have glided away--but they defy -them; let them stumpify as much as they please, time will repair the -mischief; their verdant arms will again extend and invite you to their -shelter. - -The evenings grow long. I hope your conversation round the fire will -sometimes fall on the Andrés; it will be a great comfort that they are -remembered. We chink our glasses to your healths at every meal. "Here's -to our Lichfieldian friends," says Nanny. "Oh-h!" says Mary. "With all -my soul, say I." "_Allons!_" cries my mother--and the draught seems -nectar. The libation made, we begin our uncloying theme, and so beguile -the gloomy evening. - -Mr. and Mrs. Seward will accept my most affectionate respects. My male -friend at Lichfield will join in your conversation on the Andrés. -Among the numerous good qualities he is possessed of, he certainly has -gratitude, and then he can not forget those who so sincerely love and -esteem him. I, in particular, shall always recall with pleasure the -happy hours I have passed in his company. My friendship for him, and -for your family, has diffused itself, like the precious ointment from -Aaron's beard, on everything which surrounds you; therefore I beg you -would give my amities to the whole town. Persuade Honora to forgive the -length and ardor of the enclosed, and believe me truly, - - Your affectionate and faithful friend, - J. André. - - -LETTER II. - - London, _October 19, 1769_. - -From the midst of books, papers, bills, and other implements of gain, -let me lift up my drowsy head awhile to converse with dear Julia. And -first, as I know she has a fervent wish to see me a quill-driver, I -must tell her that I begin, as people are wont to do, to look upon -my future profession with great partiality. I no longer see it in -so disadvantageous a light. Instead of figuring a merchant as a -middle-aged man, with a bob-wig, a rough beard, in snuff-colored -clothes, grasping a guinea in his red hand, I conceive a comely young -man, with a tolerable pig-tail, wielding a pen with all the noble -fierceness of the Duke of Marlborough brandishing a truncheon upon -a sign-post, surrounded with types and emblems, and canopied with -cornucopias that disembogue their stores upon his head; Mercuries -reclined upon bales of goods; Genii playing with pens, ink, and paper; -while in perspective, his gorgeous vessels, "launched on the bosom of -the silver Thames," are wafting to distant lands the produce of this -commercial nation. Thus all the mercantile glories crowd on my fancy, -emblazoned in the most refulgent coloring of an ardent imagination. -Borne on her soaring pinions, I wing my flight to the time when Heaven -shall have crowned my labors with success and opulence. I see sumptuous -palaces rising to receive me. I see orphans, and widows, and painters, -and fiddlers, and poets, and builders, protected and encouraged; and -when the fabric is pretty nearly finished by my shattered pericranium, -I cast my eyes around and find John André by a small coal-fire, in a -gloomy compting-house in Warnford Court, nothing so little as what he -has been making himself, and in all probability never to be much more -than he is at present. But oh, my dear Honora! it is for thy sake only -I wish for wealth. You say she was somewhat better at the time you -wrote last. I must flatter myself that she will soon be without any -remains of this threatening disease. - -It is seven o'clock. You and Honora, with two or three more select -friends, are now probably encircling your dressing-room fireplace. What -would I not give to enlarge that circle! The idea of a clean hearth, -and a snug circle round it, formed by a few sincere friends, transports -me. You seem combined together against the inclemency of the weather, -the hurry, bustle, ceremony, censoriousness, and envy of the world. The -purity, the warmth, the kindly influence of fire, to all for whom it -is kindled, is a good emblem of the friendship of such amiable minds -as Julia's and her Honora's. Since I can not be there in reality, pray -imagine me with you; admit me to your _conversaziones_; think how I -wish for the blessing of joining them!--and be persuaded that I take -part in all your pleasures, in the dear hope that e'er it be very long -your blazing hearth will burn again for me. Pray keep me a place; let -the poker, tongs, or shovel, represent me; but you have Dutch tiles, -which are infinitely better; so let Moses, or Aaron, or Balaam's ass, -be my representative. - -But time calls me to Clapton. I quit you abruptly till to-morrow, -when, if I do not tear the nonsense I have been writing, I may perhaps -increase its quantity. Signora Cynthia is in clouded majesty. Silvered -with her beams, I am about to jog to Clapton upon my own stumps; -musing as I homeward plod my way--ah! need I name the subject of my -contemplations? - - _Thursday._ - -I had a sweet walk home last night, and found the Claptonians, with -their fair guest, a Miss Mourgue, very well. My sisters send their -_amitiés_, and will write in a few days. - -This morning I returned to town. It has been the finest day imaginable. -A solemn mildness was diffused throughout the blue horizon; its light -was clear and distinct rather than dazzling. The serene beams of the -autumnal sun, gilded hills, variegated woods, glittering spires, -ruminating herds, bounding flocks, all combined to enchant the eyes, -expand the heart, and - - "Chace all sorrow but despair." - -In the midst of such a scene no lesser grief can prevent our sympathy -with Nature. A calmness, a benevolent disposition seizes us with sweet, -insinuating power. The very brute creation seems sensible of these -beauties; there is a species of mild cheerfulness in the face of a lamb -which I have but indifferently expressed in a corner of my paper, and a -demure, contented look in an ox, which, in the fear of expressing still -worse, I leave unattempted. - -Business calls me away. I must dispatch my letter. Yet what does it -contain?--no matter. You like anything better than news. Indeed, you -never told me so; but I have an intuitive knowledge upon the subject, -from the sympathy which I have constantly perceived in the taste of -Julia and _cher Jean_. What is it to you or me-- - - If here in the city we have nothing but riot, - If the Spital-field weavers can't be kept quiet, - If the weather is fine, or the streets should be dirty, - Or if Mr. Dick Wilson died aged of thirty? - -But if I was to hearken to the versifying grumbling I feel within me, -I should fill my paper and not have room left to entreat that you -would plead my cause to Honora more eloquently than the enclosed letter -has the power of doing. Apropos of verses, you desire me to recollect -my random description of the engaging appearance of the charming Mrs. -----. Here it is, at your service: - - Then rustling and bustling the lady comes down, - With a flaming red face, and a broad yellow gown, - And a hobbling out-of-breath gait, and a frown. - -This little French cousin of ours, Delarise, was my sister Mary's -playfellow at Paris. His sprightliness engages my sisters extremely. -Doubtless they talk much of him to you in their letters. How sorry I am -to bid you adieu! Oh, let me not be forgot by the friends most dear to -you at Lichfield! _Lichfield!_ Ah! of what magic letters is that little -word composed! How graceful it looks when it is written! Let nobody -talk to me of its original meaning,[88] "The field of blood!" Oh, no -such thing! It is the field of joy! "The beautiful city that lifts her -fair head in the valley and says, I _am_, and there is none beside me!" -Who says she is vain? Julia will not say so, nor yet Honora, and least -of all their devoted - - J. André. - - -LETTER III. - - Clapton, _November 1, 1769_. - -My ears still ring with the sounds of "O Jack! O Jack! How do the -dear Lichfieldians? What do they say? What are they about? What -did _you_ do while you were with them?" Have patience, said I, good -people! and began my story, which they devoured with as much joyful -avidity as Adam did Gabriel's tidings of heaven. My mother and sisters -are all very well, and delighted with their little Frenchman, who is -a very agreeable lad. Surely you applaud the fortitude with which -I left you! Did I not come off with flying colors? It was a great -effort, for, alas! this recreant heart did _not second_ the smiling -courage of the _countenance_; nor is it yet as it ought to be, from -the hopes that it may reasonably entertain of seeing you all again -e'er the winter's dreary hours are past. Julia, my dear Julia, gild -them with tidings of our beloved Honora! Oh, that you may be able to -tell me that she regains her health, and her charming vivacity! Your -sympathizing heart partakes all the joys and pains of your friends. -Never can I forget its kind offices, which were of such moment to my -peace! _Mine_ is formed for friendship, and I am blessed in being able -to place so _well_ the purest passion of an ingenuous mind! How am I -honored in Mr. and Mrs. Seward's attachment to me! Charming were the -anticipations which beguiled the long tracts of hill, and dale, and -plain that divide London from Lichfield! With what delight my eager -eyes _drank_ their first view of the dear spires! What rapture did -I not feel on entering your gates! in flying up the hall steps! in -rushing into the dining-room! in meeting the gladdened eyes of dear -Julia and her enchanting friend! That instant convinced me of the truth -of Rousseau's observation, that "there are _moments_ worth ages." -Shall not those moments return? Ah, Julia! the cold hand of absence is -heavy upon the heart of your poor _cher Jean_. He is forced to hammer -into it perpetually every consoling argument that the magic wand of -hope can conjure up, viz., that every moment of industrious absence -advances his journey, you know whither. I may sometimes make excursions -to Lichfield, and bask in the light of my Honora's eyes! Sustain me, -Hope!--nothing on my part shall be wanting which may induce thee to -_fulfill_ thy blossoming promises. - -The happy social circle--Julia, Honora, Miss S----n, Miss B----n, -her brother, Mr. S----e, Mr. R----n, etc., etc.--are now, perhaps, -enlivening your dressing-room, the dear _blue region_, as Honora calls -it, with the sensible observation, the tasteful criticism, or the -elegant song; dreading the iron-tongue of the nine-o'clock bell, which -disperses the beings whom friendship and kindred virtues had drawn -together. My imagination attaches itself to _all_, even the _inanimate_ -objects which surround Honora and her Julia; that have beheld their -graces and virtues expand and ripen--my dear Honora's--from their -infant bud. - -The sleepy Claptonian train are gone to bed, somewhat wearied with -their excursion to Enfield, whither they have this day carried their -favorite little Frenchman, so _great_ a favorite; the parting was quite -tragical. I walked hither from town, as usual, to-night; no hour of -the twenty-four is so precious to me as that devoted to this solitary -walk. O my friend! I am far from possessing the patient frame of mind -which I so continually invoke! Why is Lichfield an hundred and twenty -miles from me? There is no _moderation_ in the distance! Fifty or sixty -miles had been a great deal too much, but _then_ there would have been -less opposition from _authority_ to my frequent visits. I conjure you, -supply the want of these blessings by frequent _letters_. I must not, -will not ask them of Honora, since the use of the pen is forbid to her -declining health; I will content myself, as usual, with a postscript -from her in your epistle. My sisters are charmed with the packet which -arrived yesterday, and which they will answer soon. - -As yet I have said nothing of our journey. We met an entertaining Irish -gentleman at Dunchurch, and, being fellow-sufferers in cold and hunger, -joined interests, ordered four horses, and stuffed three in a chaise. -It is not to _you_--I need not apologize for talking in rapture of an -higgler whom we met on our road. His cart had passed us, and was at a -considerable distance, when, looking back, he perceived that our chaise -had stopped, and that the driver seemed mending something. He ran up -to him, and with a face full of honest anxiety, pity, good-nature, and -every sweet affection under heaven, asked him if we wanted anything; -that he had plenty of nails, ropes, etc., in his cart. That wretch of a -postillion made no other reply than "We want nothing, master." From the -same impulse the good Irishman, Mr. Till, and myself, thrust our heads -instantly out of the chaise, and tried to recompense to the honest -creature by forcing upon him a little pecuniary tribute. My benevolence -will be the warmer, while I live, for the treasured remembrance of this -higgler's countenance. - -'I know you interest yourself in my destiny. I have now completely -subdued my aversion to the profession of a merchant, and hope in time -to acquire an inclination for it; yet God forbid I should ever love -what I am to make the object of my attention!--that vile trash, which -I care not for, but only as it may be the future means of procuring -the blessing of my soul. Thus all my mercantile calculations go to -the tune of _dear Honora_. When an impertinent consciousness whispers -in my ear that I am not of the right stuff for a merchant, I draw my -Honora's picture from my bosom, and the sight of that dear talisman so -inspirits my industry that no toil appears oppressive. - -The poetic talk you set me in is a sad method. My head and heart are -too full of other matters to be engrossed by a draggle-tailed wench of -the Heliconian puddle. I am going to try my interest in Parliament. -How you stare!--it is to procure a frank. Be so good as to give -the enclosed to Honora; _it_ will speak to _her_. And do _you_ say -everything that is kind for me to every _other_ distinguished friend of -the dressing-room circle; encourage them in their obliging desire of -scribbling in your letters, but don't let them take Honora's corner of -the sheet. - -Adieu! May you all possess that cheerfulness denied to your _cher -Jean_. I fear it hurts my mother to see my musing moods, but I can -neither help nor overcome them. The near hopes of another excursion to -Lichfield could alone disperse every gloomy vapor of my imagination. -Again, and yet again, adieu! - - J. André. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 86: name of kindness, by which Mr. André was often called by -his mother and sisters, and generally adopted by the persons mentioned -in these letters.] - -[Footnote 87: The trees in the cathedral-walk in Lichfield.] - -[Footnote 88: _Field of blood._--Here is a small mistake. Lichfield is -not the field of blood, but "the field of dead bodies," alluding to -the battle fought between the Romans and the British Christians in the -Diocletian persecution, when the latter were massacred. Three slain -kings, with their burying-place, now Barrowcop Hill, and the cathedral -in miniature, form the city arms. Lich is still a word in use. The -church-yard gates, through which funerals pass, are often called -Lich-gates, vulgarly Light-gates.] - - - - -INDEX. - - - A - - Adams, Alice, Hale's affianced, 21 (_note_). - - Alexander, William, Lord Stirling, 71 (_note_). - - American army on Manhattan Island, condition of, 11; - on Harlem Heights--perils menacing the, 12. - - American cause, gloomy prospects for the, 79. - - Anderson, the fictitious name of Major André, 65. - - André, John, birth, parentage, education, and family of, 37; - at Lichfield with Anna Seward, 38; - personal appearance of--betrothed to Honora Sneyd--paints a miniature - portrait of her--correspondence of, with Anna Seward, 40, 41; - enters the British army--alleged presages of his death, 42, 43; - goes to America--his observations there, 43, 44; - made a prisoner, exchanged, and promoted by General Howe, 44, 45; - social position of, in Philadelphia, 45, 46; - writes "Yankee Doodle's Expedition to Rhode Island"--aide-de-camp to - General Clinton, 61; - genius of, displayed--goes with Clinton up the Hudson River, 62; - letters of, to Mrs. Benedict Arnold, 63; - secret correspondence of, with General Arnold, 65; - a spy at Charleston--made adjutant-general of the British forces - in America, 66; - writes "The Cow-Chase," 68; - at a dinner-party given by Colonel Williams--sadness of, 80; - sings a campaign song--important mission of, 81; - meets Arnold near Haverstraw--goes to Smith's house--bargain with - Arnold, 83, 84; - attempts to return to New York through the American lines--disguise - of, 84; - conceals papers received from Arnold in his boots--journey of, toward - New York, 85; - arrest of, 86; - suspected of being a spy, 87, 88; - tries to bribe his captors--taken to an American post, 88; - confession of, 91; - letter of, to Washington, 91-93; - sent to West Point, 97; - sent to Tappaan in charge of Major Tallmadge, 97, 98; - sympathy for, 99, 105, 106; - effect of the news of capture of, 99; - trial and sentence of, 100, 101; - exertions to save the life of, 101; - letter of, to Washington, on the mode of his death, 102; - letters of, to friends--drawings of, 103 (_note_); - execution of, 103-105; - monument in honor of, in Westminster Abbey, 106; - remains of, removed to the abbey, 106 (_note_); - place of execution of, marked by memorial-stones, 108, 109. - - André Brook, the, 117. - - Arnold, Benedict, life of, in Philadelphia--charges against, 63; - urges an investigation, 64; - treasonable correspondence of, 64, 65; - secret correspondence of, with Major André--disguised handwriting - of, 65; - in command at West Point, 78; - tries to meet André in disguise, 79; - plans of, for consummating treason, 83, 84; - meets André near Haverstraw, 83; - takes André to Smith's house--finishes his bargain to betray his - country--gives André important papers, 84; - receives notice of the arrest of André, 93; - hurried interview with his wife--escapes to the _Vulture_--patriotism - of his barge crew, 94; - attempts to arrest, 96; - impudent letter of, to Washington, 101 (_note_). - - Arnold, Mrs., distress of, 94; - Washington's kindness to, 96. - - Austin, Henry, designer of the Hale Monument at Coventry, 27. - - - B - - Babcock, J.S., poetic tribute of, to the memory of Nathan Hale, 29. - - Boothby, Sir Richard, a literary friend of Anna Seward, 38. - - Boudinot, Elias, concerning the arrest and execution of André, 99. - - British army near New York, condition of the, 11. - - Buchanan, James, assists in the removal of André's remains to - England, 108. - - - C - - Caldwell, Rev. James, 77 (_note_). - - Captors of André, 85; - rewarded, 89. - - Carleton, Governor of Canada, 43. - - Cathcart, Captain, and Miss Eliot, 51 (_note_). - - "Cedars, The," and the Widow Chichester, 16. - - Chichester, the Widow, and the Tories, 16. - - Clinton, Sir Henry, 43; - succeeds Howe, 46; - in command of the British army--flight of, across New Jersey--fights - at Monmouth Court-House, 60; - headquarters of, at New York, 61, 62, 83; - letter of, to Washington--André's letter to, 101. - - Court of inquiry in the case of André, 100. - - "Cow-Chase, The," a satire by Major André, 67-78. - - Cunningham, William, character of, 24 (_note_), 25. - - - D - - Darwin, Erasmus, 38. - - De Lancey, Oliver, assists André in art-work--marries Miss Franks - 56 (_note_). - - Demorest, Rev. John, assists at the disinterment of the remains of - Major André--silver cup sent to, by André's sisters, 108. - - Depew, Chauncey M., oration by, at Tarrytown, 121. - - D'Estaing, with French fleet, goes to Rhode Island, 61. - - Dobb's Ferry, 84; - conference at, 101. - - Dream, a singular, concerning André, 42. - - - E - - Edgeworth, Richard Lovell, marries Honora Sneyd, 38, 41. - - Eliot, Miss, and Captain Cathcart, 51. - - - F - - Field, Cyrus W., erects a memorial-stone at the place of André's - execution, 109-115; - proposes to erect a monument in memory of Nathan Hale at his own - expense, 113, 114; - letter of, on the subject, to the New York Historical Society, 114; - contribution of, to the Hale monument at Coventry, 114; - generous designs of, for the benefit of the Rockland County - Historical and Forestry Society, 118. - - Finch, Francis M., poem on Nathan Hale by, 29. - - Fort Hale, 28. - - - G - - Gibbs, George, epitaph for Hale's tomb, written by, 84. - - Grey, General, marauding expedition of, to New Bedford, 61. - - Greene, General Nathanael, in command at Tappaan, proclaims Arnold's - treason, 98. - - "Gustavus," the fictitious name of Arnold, 61. - - - H - - Hale and André, character and motives of, iv. - - Hale, Edward Everett, 4. - - Hale, Enoch, 4. - - Hale, Nathan, childhood and youth of--personal appearance and vigor - of--enters Yale College, 4; - Dr. E. Munson's recollections of, 5; - letter of, to Dr. Munson, 6 (_note_); - a school-teacher at East Haddam and New London, 7; - patriotism of, aroused--speech of, 8; - a volunteer soldier at the siege of Boston--patriotism - displayed--commissioned captain--daring feat of, at New York, 9; - generosity of--in the battle of Long Island and the retreat--illness - of, 10; - volunteers for the secret service, and resists the dissuasions of his - friends--ideas of, concerning secret service, 14, 15; - receives instructions from Washington--departure of, on secret - service, 15; - goes to Long Island and enters the British camps in disguise--methods - of, as a spy, 16; - arrest of, 17; - character of, discovered, 18; - at General Howe's headquarters at the Beekman mansion--confined in a - greenhouse, 19; - interview of, with General Howe, 20; - treatment of, by Cunningham, 21, 22; - last words of, 23; - place of execution of, 23 (_note_); - execution of--sympathy for--neglect of memory of, 24; - memorials of, 25; - monument erected in memory of, 27, 28; - poem written concerning, 27-31; - and André compared, 31; - proposed monument in memory of, at New York--statue of, - contemplated, 33; - epitaph for tomb of, 34; - monument to, proposed, 111, 113, 114. - - Hale, Richard and Elizabeth, parents of Nathan Hale, 3. - - Hayley, Thomas, an English poet, 38. - - Hamilton, Alexander, 73, 93, 96, 100, 102. - - Harrison, Richard, 73 (_note_). - - Hempstead, Stephen, 15. - - Hillhouse, James, a classmate with Hale, 7. - - Howe, General William, succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton, 46; - _fête_ given in honor of, 46-59; - estimate of the character of, 59. - - Hull, Lieutenant William, and Nathan Hale, 14. - - Huntington, Rev. Dr., fits Hale for college, 4. - - Husted, General James, marshal at the dedication of the monument at - Tarrytown, 121. - - Husted, Dr. Nathaniel C., author of a "Memorial Souvenir," 121. - - - I - - Irvines, the two, 71 (_note_). - - - J - - Jameson, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Major André, 90. - - Johnson, Jeremiah, concerning the place of Hale's execution, 23. - - - K - - Knowlton, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Nathan Hale, 13; - death of, 16 (_note_). - - - L - - Lafayette with Washington at West Point, 93. - - Laurance, John, Judge Advocate-General, 100. - - Lawrence, William, 21 (_note_). - - Lee, Charles, and Colonel Hamilton, 73 (_note_). - - Lee, Henry ("Legion Harry"), 67. - - Lee, James, marks the spot where André was executed, 108, 110; - statue of Washington in New York, 108 (_note_). - - Lionian Society of Yale College, 29. - - Livingston, Susannah, 77 (_note_). - - - M - - Memorial-stone near Tappaan, unveiling of the, 113; - description of, and inscription upon the, 115; - what the stone commemorates, 116, 117; - attempts to destroy the, 117-119. - - Military execution, method of, 23 (_note_). - - Mischianza, the, description of, by Major André, 46-58; - criticism of the, 59; - the, deplored, 60. - - Monmouth, battle of, 60. - - Munson, Dr. Eneas, relates his personal recollections of - Nathan Hale, 5. - - Monody on Major André, 135. - - Murray, Robert, Washington at house of, 12. - - - N - - Neutral ground, the, and its inhabitants, 85. - - New York City, great conflagration at, 20. - - - O - - O'Donovan, sculptor, author of a statue at Tarry town, 121. - - - P - - Paulding, John, a captor of André, 85-89. - - Philadelphia, British army in, and its demoralization, 45; - flight of British from--American troops and Congress enter, 60. - - - R - - Raymond, Henry J., oration of, at Tarrytown, 31-33. - - Reed, General Joseph, and General Arnold, 63. - - Ripley, Eleazar, 21 (_note_). - - Robertson, General, and General Greene at Dobb's Ferry--bears a letter - from Arnold to Washington, 101. - - Robinson, Beverly, letter of, 64; - and André and Arnold, 79; - with André on the _Vulture_, 81; - letter of, to Washington, 95. - - - S - - Samson, Ezra, 7. - - Seward, Anna, literary friends of, 38; - biographical sketch of, 125; - Major André's letters to, 152. - - Seward, Rev. Thomas, father of Anna Seward, 38. - - Smith, J.H., and Arnold and André, 82-84. - - Sneyd, Honora, betrothed to André, 40; - marries Richard Lovell Edgeworth, and death of, 41. - - Sparks, Dr., on André, 64. - - Spies, character of, defined, iii. - - Sprague, Rev. W.B., 68. - - Stanley, Rev. Arthur Penrhyn, Dean of Westminster, visits the place of - André's execution, 110; - writes an inscription for a memorial-stone placed on the spot--letter - to Mr. Whittemore concerning the inscription, 112; - inscription by, 115. - - Stuart's biography of Hale, 28. - - - T - - Tallmadge, Benjamin, and Nathan Hale, at college, 7; - pronounces André a spy, 90; - custodian of and frank conversation with André, 98. - - Tappaan, allusion to, in "The Cow-Chase," 69; - André taken to, 99; - André executed near, 103; - memorial-stone near, erected by Mr. Field, 113; - indignation meeting at, 119. - - Tarrytown, monument at, 119-121. - - Thacher, Dr., on André's execution, 105, 106. - - Tilden, Samuel J., presides at the dedication of a monument at - Tarrytown, 121. - - - U - - Union Grammar-School at New London taught by Hale, 7. - - - V - - Van Wart, Isaac, a captor of André, 85-87. - - _Vulture_, the, sloop-of-war, bears André up the Hudson River, 81. - - - W - - Washington asks and receives instructions from Congress, 11, 12; - at Murray's house, 12; - instructions of, for obtaining information, 12; - calls a council of war--desires a trustworthy man for secret - service, 13; - in conference with French officers, 79; - at West Point and Arnold's quarters--discovers Arnold's - treason--kindness to Mrs. Arnold, 96, 97. - - Watson, J.F., and relics of the _Mischianza_, 48 (_note_). - - Wayne, General Anthony, expedition of, 67. - - Webb, Colonel Charles, 9. - - West Point, surrender of, contemplated, 67; - and arranged for, 79, 80. - - Wharton, Thomas, house of, the scene of the _Mischianza_, 46. - - Whittemore, Henry, and the Field memorial-stone at Tappaan, 111-113. - - Willard, Solomon, architect of the Bunker Hill Monument, 27. - - Williams, David, a captor of André, 85. - - Williams, Colonel, gives a dinner-party to Sir Henry Clinton, 80. - - Windt, John de, 99 (_note_). - - Wood, E.S., sculptor, 34 (_note_). - - Wright, Ansel, Hale's trusty servant, 15. - - - Y - - "Yankee Doodle's Expedition to Rhode Island," by André, 61. - - Yerks, John, a captor of André, 85. - - York, Duke of, causes the remains of André to be removed to England, - 106 (_note_); - sends a snuff-box to Rev. J. Demorest, 108. - - Monody on Major André, 135. - - André's letters to Miss Seward, 152. - - -THE END. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Two Spies, by Benson J. Lossing and Anna Seward - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TWO SPIES *** - -***** This file should be named 63119-0.txt or 63119-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/1/1/63119/ - -Produced by WebRover, MFR, Graeme Macketh and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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