Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1884 — Benedict Arnold and John Andre. [ARTICLE]

Benedict Arnold and John Andre.

The story of Arnold’s treason and of the part played by Andre is too well known to need recital here. It will be remembered that Andre was tried by a numerous and very able board of officers Sept. 29, 1780, who made the unanimous report that Maj. Andre, Adjutant General of the British army, ought to be considered as a spy from the enemy, and suffer death. The sentence was approved by Washington, and ordered to be carried into effect the next day. Sir Henry Clinton had already in a note to Washington asked Andre’s release, as one who had been protected by “a flag of truce and passports granted for his return.” Washington replied by inclosing to the British commander-in-chief the report of the board of inquiry, and observed, “that Maj. Andre was employed in the execution of measures very foreign to flags of truce, jind such as they were never meant to authorize.” Bancroft then narrates as follows the events immediately subsequent: “At the request of Clinton, who promised to present ‘ a true state of facts,’ the execution was delayed till the 2d day of October, and Gen. Robertson, attended by two civilians, came up the river for a conference. The civilians were not allowed to land, but Greene was deputed to meet the officer. Instead of presenting facts, Robertson, after compliments to the character of Greene, announced that he had come to treat with him. Greene answered: ‘The case of an acknowledged spy admits ox no official discussion.’ Robertson then proposed to free Andre by an exohange. Greene answered: *lf Andre is set free, Arnold must be given up; for the liberation of Andre could not be asked for except in exchange for one who was equally implicated in the complot.’ Robertson then forgot himself so far as to deliver an open letter from Arnold to Washington, in which, in the event Arnold should sxxffer the penalty of death, he used these threats: ‘ I shall think myself bound by every tie of duty and honor to retaliate on such unhappy persons of your army as may fall wir,hin my power. Forty of the principal inhabitants of South Carolina have justly forfeited their lives; Sir Henry Clinton cannot in justice extend his mercy to them any longer if Maj. Andre suffers.’ ” —lnter Ocean.