against Great Britain, and widen the breach between the parent state and the colonies: his distinguished military talents had procured him every honor a grateful country could bestow: he was in the full enjoyment of substantial fame: his country had not only loaded him with honors, but forgiven his crimes he who had been prodigal of life in his country's cause, was indulged in extraordinary demands for his services. But the generosity of the states did not keep pace with the extravagance of their favorite officer. His love of pleasure induced the love of money: to attain which he sacrificed his honor and duty. He made contracts, and entered into partnerships and speculations which could not bear investigation. Thus embarrassed, a change of political sides afforded the only probable hope of evading a scrutiny, bettering his circumstances, and gratifying his favorite passion. 453. The American army was stationed in the strong holds of the Highlands, on both sides of the North river; Arnold was intrusted by general Washington with the command of West Point, a strongly fortified post; this was called the Gibraltar of America, and was built for the defence of the North river. Rocky ridges, rising one behind another, rendered it so secure, that it could not be invested by a less number than twenty thousand men.-Arnold, being intrusted with the com. mand, carried on a negotiation with general Clinton, by which it was agreed, he should so arrange matters, that Clinton should be enabled to surprise West Point, and have the garrison so completely in his power, that the troops must either lay down their arms, or be cut to pieces. 454. The loss of this fort would have been severely felt, as it was the repository of their most valuable stores. Sir Henry Clinton's agent in this negotiation was major André, adjutantgeneral of the British army, a young officer of uncommon merit; nature had bestowed on him her choicest gifts: he possessed many amiable and rare qualities; his fidelity, his place and character, fitted him for this important business; but his high idea for candor, his abhorrence of duplicity and nice sense of honor, made him reject those arts of deception which were necessary to accomplish its success. To favor the necessary communication, the Vulture sloop of war had been previously stationed in the North river, as near to Arnold's post as was possible, without exciting suspicion. 455. A written correspondence had been carried on between Arnold and André, under the fictitious names of Gustavus and Anderson. A boat was sent in the night to bring major André to shore; he was met by Arnold on the beach without the posts of either army. As their business was not finished before the dawn of day, which made it unsafe for André to return to the Vulture sloop of war, he was persuaded by Arnold to lie concealed until the next night. He was then conducted within one of the American posts, against his previous stipulation and knowledge, and continued with Arnold the following day. The next night the boatmen refused to take him back, as the Vulture had changed her position. The only practicable mode of escape was by land to New-York. 456. To insure success, he changed his uniform, which he had hitherto worn under a surtout; was furnished with a horse, and a pass under the name of John Anderson, allowing him to go to the White Plains, or lower if he thought proper. He advanced alone and undisturbed a great part of the way, but when he expected he was nearly out of danger, was stopped by three of the New-York militia, who were scouting between the posts of the two armies. 457. Major André, instead of producing his pass, aked the man who stopped him "Where he belonged?" who answered, "To below," meaning New-York. He replied "So do I," and declared himself a British officer, and desired he might not be detained. He soon found his mistake. The captors proceeded to search him; and sundry papers were found in his possession. These were secreted in his boots, and were in Arnold's handwriting. They contained exact, returns of the state of the forces, ordnance at West Point, the artillery orders, and critical remarks on the works. 458. André offered his captors a purse of gold and a new valuable watch, if they would let him pass; and permanent provision and future promotion, if they would convey and accompany him to New-York. This was refused, and he was delivered a prisoner to colonel Jameson, who commanded the scouting parties. André assumed the name of John Anderson, and asked leave to send a letter to Arnold, to acquaint him with his detention: this was granted, and Arnold immediately, upon the receipt of the letter, abandoned every thing, and went on board the Vulture sloop of war. 459. Lieutenant-colonel Jameson forwarded, by an express, all the papers found on André, together with a letter from that gentleman, avowing his name and rank. The style of it was dignified, without insolence. He stated, that he had held a correspondence with a person, by order of his general: that his intention went no further than to meet that person on neutral ground, for the purpose of intelligence; and that against his express stipulation and intention, he was brought within the American posts, and had to concert his escape from them. Being taken on his return, he was betrayed into the vile condition of an enemy in disguise. He concluded with requesting, whatever his fate should prove, a decency of treatment might be observed, which would mark, that though unfortunate, he was branded with nothing that was dishonorable, and that he was involuntarily an impostor. 460. General Washington referred the case of major André to the decision of a board of general officers. On his examina. tion, he candidly confessed every thing relating to himself; and particularly, that he did not come on shore under the sanction of a flag. The board did not examine a single witness, but founded their report on his own confession; and finally gave it as their opinion, "that major André ought to be considered as a spy; and that, agreeably to the laws and usages of nations, he ought to suffer death." 461. Every exertion was made by the royal commanders, and every plea that ingenuity and humanity could suggest, to save the life of André, but without effect. Greene proposed delivering him up for Arnold; but this could not be acceded to by the British, consistently with principles of sound policy. André, superior to the terrors of death, yet wished to die like a soldier. To obtain this favor, he wrote a letter to general Washington, fraught with sentiments of military dignity. General Washington did not think proper to grant this request; but his delicacy was saved from the pain of a negative denial. The guard which attended him in his confinement, marched with him to the place of execution. 462. Major André walked with firmness, composure, and dignity, between two officers of his guard, his arms locked in theirs. Upon seeing the preparations at the fatal spot, he asked with some concern, "Must I die in this manner?" He was told it was unavoidable. He replied, "I am reconciled to my fate, but not to the mode :" but soon added, "it will be but a momentary pang." He ascended the cart with a pleasing countenance, and with a composure which excited the admiration, and melted the hearts, of the spectators. Their sensibility was strongly impressed, by beholding a well-dressed youth, in the bloom of life, of a peculiarly engaging person, mien, and aspect, devoted to immediate execution. He was asked, when the fatal moment was at hand, if he had any thing to say; he answered, "Nothing but to request that you will witness to the world, that I die like a brave man." In a few moments the affecting scene was closed. To offer further remarks upon the fate of this accomplished officer would be unnecessary, as the world has been acquainted with every transaction respecting it. 463. After the defeat of general Gates by earl Cornwallis, that nobleman exerted himself to the utmost, in extending the progress of the British arms, and with considerable effect. But one enterprise, which was conducted by major Ferguson, was unsuccessful. That officer had been very active in his exertions in the royal cause, and had taken great pains to improve the discipline of the royal militia; with about 1400 of these, he made several incursions into the country. He was, however, attacked on the 7th of October, 1780, by a superior body of Americans, at King's Mountain, and totally defeated: 150 were killed in the action; 810 made prisoners, and 1500 stand of arms were taken. 464. But the month following, lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, with a party of one hundred and seventy cavalry, attacked general Sumpter, who is said to have had one thousand men, at a place called Black Stocks, and obliged him to retire. Sumpter was wounded, and about one hundred and twenty of his party killed, wounded, and taken prisoners: about fifty of the British were killed and wounded. CHAPTER VI. H. LAURENS TAKEN PRISONER. SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS. -TREATY OF PEACE.-WASHINGTON FIRST PRESIDENT.HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS.-HIS DEATH. 465. On the third of September, 1780, the Mercury, a Congress packet, was taken by the Vestal, commanded by captain Kepple, near Newfoundland. On board this packet was Henry Laurens, late president of Congress, who was bound on an embassy to Holland. He had thrown his papers overboard, but the greatest part of them were recovered, without receiving much damage. He was brought to London, and examined before the privy-council; in consequence of which, he was committed a close prisoner to the Tower, on a charge of high treason. The contents of those papers hastened the rupture which soon after took place between Great Britain and Holland; for among them was found the plan of a treaty between the United States of North America and the republic of Holland. 466. On the first of January, 1781, the troops that were hutted at Morristown, called the Pennsylvania line, turned out, in number about 1300, and declared they would serve no longer, unless their grievances were redressed. A riot ensued, in which an officer was killed, and some wounded. They then collected the artillery and stores, and marched out of the camp. As they passed by the quarters of general Wayne, he sent a message to them, requesting them to desist, or the consequences might prove fatal. They nevertheless proceeded on their march till the evening, when they posted themselves advantageously, and elected officers to command them; the next day they marched to Middlebrook, and on the third they reached Princeton, where they fixed their quarters. On that day, a flag of truce was sent to them from the officers of the American camp, with a message desiring to be informed what were their intentions. 467. Some alleged they had served out the time of their enlistment, and would serve no longer; and others declared they would not return, unless their grievances were redressed. But they all at the same time protested, that they were not actuated by motives of disaffection to the American cause. This they soon had it in their power to make manifest, when general Clinton, who was soon informed of the revolt, and hoped to draw them over to the British interest, sent two messengers with tempting offers to that purpose: these they disdainfully refused, and delivered up the messengers to Congress. Joseph Reid, Esq. president of the state of Pennsylvania, afterwards effected an accommodation; those who had served out their full time were permitted to return home, and the others, upon satisfactory assurances that their grievances should be redressed, rejoined their countrymen in arms. 468. On the 11th of January, lord Cornwallis began to make vigorous exertions in order to reduce North Carolina, but was delayed by general Morgan and the troops under him, who attempted to make themselves masters of the valuable district of Ninety-Six. To prevent this, his lordship dispatched lieutenantcolonel Tarleton, with three hundred cavalry, three hundred light-infantry, the seventh regiment, the first battalion of the seventy-first regiment, and two field-pieces, to oppose the progress of Morgan. The British commander had no doubt of the success of the expedition. On the 17th of January, the royal detachment came up with the Americans, under general Morgan, two-thirds of whom were militia: these were drawn up in a wood, at a place called the Cowpens, near Pacolet river. 469. The British, besides the advantage of field-pieces, had five to four in infantry, and more than three to one in cavalry : |