At their feet lay the mighty but tranquil Hudson; above and around them, were the towering monuments of God's omnipotence, that

'Proclaim the eternal Architect on high,

Who stamps on all his works his own eternity.'

This conference was continued the greater part of the night; and when the wasting of the tide, and the near approach of day-light, was urged by Smith as a reason for its termination, the parties agreed to proceed to 'Smith's House.' The boat was sent off, and Arnold and André proceeded on horseback. Near the house, the challenge of a sentinel gave André the unwelcome and startling intelligence that he was within the American lines; but it was too late to retreat. The recollection of the positive orders of Sir Henry Clinton was vivid and distinct: but more time was necessary to accomplish the great object of his mission; and he dared the peril, with the cherished belief that he was serving acceptably the cause of his king and country.

Soon after the parties had reached Smith's, a heavy cannonading was heard down the river, which proved to be against the 'Vulture,' and caused her to change her position. After breakfast, Arnold and André were left together; and in the course of the day the nefarious scheme was finished, and the conditions settled. But só secret were all the proceedings, that to this hour the veil has never been entirely removed from the transaction. The grave has closed over the actors in the great drama. Fancy has run wild with conjecture, yet the minute details have not transpired, and never can. Enough, however, is known to verify the truth of Walpole's remark, that every man has his price :' how derogatory soever to the nobler feelings of our nature, it yet found its practical illustration in the miserable Arnold. Various conjectures have been indulged as to the price paid by the British; and the better opinion seems to be, (but even that is little else than conjecture,) that he received ten thousand pounds sterling, in exchange for that brilliant reputation, which the wealth of a world ought to have been insufficient to purchase.'

André was then furnished with the following papers: I. Artillery orders, recently published at West Point, directing the disposition of each corps in case of alarm. II. An estimate of the American force at West Point and its dependencies. III. An estimate of the number of men requisite to man the works. IV. A return of the ordnance in the different forts, redoubts, and batteries. V. Remarks on the works at West Point, describing the construction of each, and its strength or weakness. VI. A Report of a Council of War lately held at Head-Quarters, containing hints respecting the probable operations of the campaign, and which had been sent by General WASHINGTON to Arnold, a few days before, requesting his opinion on the subjects to which it referred. These papers were all in the handwriting of Arnold, and bore his signature! At Arnold's request, the papers were all put by André between his feet and stockings, and in the event of detection, were to be destroyed. It was then farther arranged, that André was to return immediately to New-York; that the British troops already embarked under the pretext of an expedi

tion to the Chesapeake, were to be ready at a moment's warning to ascend the river; the post at West Point was to be weakened by such a disposition of its troops as would leave no adequate force for its defence: as soon as it was known to Arnold that the British troops were coming up the river, parties of soldiers were to be sent out from the garrison to certain distant points, under pretence of meeting the enemy, while the British landed, and were to march upon the undefended garrison by other and different routes. These details being all arranged, André was furnished with several different passes, to be used in case of emergency. The next question was, how he should get back to New-York? André insisted that he should be put on board the Vulture, but to this Smith interposed so many serious obstacles, that the matter was still unsettled when Arnold and André parted to meet no more on this side the

grave.

After Arnold had departed, Smith positively refused to incur the hazard of rowing down to the Vulture; and much to the chagrin and disappointment of André, he was compelled to adopt the only alternative, a journey back by land. Smith agreed to accompany him until he should have passed beyond the American posts. Arnold had, after much difficulty, prevailed on André to exchange his military for a citizen's dress. Smith was still the dupe of Arnold's cunning. He neither knew the rank, the name, nor the business of his illustrious guest; and when, with the natural curiosity which such an occurrence would arouse, he inquired why a man coming in a civil capacity, and on commercial business, should be dressed in full uniform, he was told it was Mr. Anderson's ambition to be considered a man of consequence, and that he had borrowed from an acquaintance the military costume in which he appeared; but now that he was compelled to return by land, a citizen's dress would be obviously more proper. With this plausible reasoning, Smith was so well satisfied, that he furnished André from his own wardrobe with the necessary apparel. Just before sunset, he and Smith, accompanied by a negro servant of the latter, proceeded to 'King's Ferry,' and crossed the River from Stony Point' to Verplanck's Point.' In pursuing the route which was considered most safe, they met with many of Smith's acquaintances, with whom he drank and joked, but suffered no interruption until near Crompond, where they were hailed by the sentinel of a patrolling party, by whose captain they were examined. The pass signed by Arnold was produced, and ended all farther delay; but the worthy captain of the guard was so urgent that they should not incur the personal danger of farther travel that night, that Smith resolved, greatly to the annoyance of André, to stop, and in the humble cottage of Andreas Miller, an honest old farmer, they found rest for the night.

Early in the morning, they proceeded on the road leading to Pine's Bridge, and about two miles beyond it partook of a frugal breakfast at the house of a good Dutch woman, who, though plundered by the marauders, was enabled to spread before them a repast of hasty-pudding and milk, accompanied, we doubt not, with an honest welcome, and a woman's blessing. After breakfast, Smith divided with André his small stock of paper money, took his final

leave, and with his servant returned to Peekskill, and thence to Fishkill, whither he had sent his family during the memorable scenes that had occurred at his house. On his way back, he took occasion to call at Beverly,' dined with General Arnold, and gave him a full account of Mr. Anderson's progress, and where he had left him. When Smith and André parted, it was understood that André would pursue the route through White Plains, avoiding the river roads, and thus reach New-York; but instead of that, he turned off toward the Hudson, taking the Tarrytown road.

·

It so happened, that the same morning on which André passed Pine's Bridge, seven persons, who resided near the Hudson, on the neutral ground, agreed to go out in company and watch the road, to intercept any suspicious stragglers, or droves of cattle, that might be passing toward New-York. Three of this party, JOHN РAulding, DAVID WILLIAMS, and ISAAC VAN WART, were concealed near the road, in the bushes. About half a mile north of Tarrytown, and a few hundred yards from the Hudson, the road crosses a small brook, from each side of which the ground rises into a hill, which at that time was covered over with trees and underbush. At this point Major André was stopped. After an examination of his passports, he was suffered to proceed; but immediately after, one of the men, thinking that he perceived something singular in his appearance, I called him back. André asked them where they were from: From down below,' they replied; meaning from New-York. Too frank to suspect a snare, André answered,' And so am 1.' He was then closely searched, and the papers found concealed in his stockings. They were examined, and Paulding said, He is a spy!' André made the most liberal offers to his captors to procure his release, but in vain. He was carried by them a prisoner to North Castle, one of the American posts, and there surrendered to Colonel Jameson, the officer in command.

As a reward for the virtuous and patriotic conduct of Paulding, Williams, and Van Wart, Congress voted to each an annuity for life of two hundred dollars, and a silver medal, having on one side a shield, inscribed 'FIDELITY,' and on the other the motto, Vincit amor patriæ.'

Colonel Jameson, after a careful examination of the papers, notwithstanding the fact that they were all in the hand-writing, and bore the signature of Arnold, and carried on their face the indisputable evidence of his treason, ordered the prisoner to be sent directly to Arnold! This conduct was indeed most extraordinary, and justified the remark of General WASHINGTON, 'that either on account of his egregious folly, or bewildered conception, he seemed lost in astonishment, and not to know what he was doing.' The prisoner was accordingly sent off to Head-Quarters, and the papers despatched by an express to General WASHINGTON. Major Tallmadge, the second officer in command under Colonel Jameson, was absent from the post when the prisoner was brought in; but having returned very shortly after the guard had departed with him, and being apprized of the facts, he at once declared his full conviction of Arnold's treason, and urged so earnestly that the prisoner should not be sent to Head-Quarters, that Colonel Jameson yielded a reluctant assent that an express should be in

stantly despatched; and in a few hours Lieutenant Allen returned with André to North Castle; from thence he was removed for greater security to Salem, and placed under the charge of Major Tallmadge. Upon reaching this post, André found that he was not to be taken to Arnold; and utterly despairing of escape or concealment, he wrote his first letter to General WASHINGTON, dated 'Salem, 24th September, 1780,' in which, with a soldier's frankness, he disclosed his situation, and all his proceedings. He then handed the letter open to Major Tallmadge, who read it with strong emotion, and sealed and forwarded it to General WASHINGTON.

The commander-in-chief was then on his way from Hartford, and changing the route which he had first proposed, came by the way of West Point. At Fishkill he met the French minister, M. de la Luzerne, who had been to visit Count Rochambeau at Newport, and he remained that night with the minister. Very early next morning he sent off his luggage, with orders to the men to go with it as quickly as possible to Beverly,' and give Mrs. Arnold notice that he would be there at breakfast. When the General and his suite arrived opposite West Point, he was observed to turn his horse into a narrow road that led to the river. La Fayette remarked, 'General, you are going in a wrong direction; you know Mrs. Arnold is waiting breakfast for WASHINGTON good naturedly remarked: Ah, I know you young men are all in love with Mrs. Arnold, and wish to get where she is as soon as possible. You may go and take your breakfast with her, and tell her not to wait for me. I must ride down and examine the redoubts on this side of the river.' The officers, however, with the exception of two of the aids, remained. When the aids arrived at 'Beverly,"* they found the family waiting; and having communicated the message of General WASHINGTON, Arnold, with his family and the two aids, sat down to breakfast. Before they had finished, a messenger arrived in great haste, and handed General Arnold a letter, which he read with deep and evident emotion.

us.'

The self-control of the soldier enabled Arnold to suppress the agony he endured after reading this letter. He rose hastily from the table; told the aids that his immediate presence was required at West Point; and desired them so to inform General WASHINGTON, when he arrived. Having first ordered a horse to be ready, he hastened to Mrs. Arnold's chamber, and there, with a bursting heart, disclosed to her his dreadful position, and that they must part, perhaps for ever. Struck with horror at the painful intelligence, this fond and devoted wife swooned, and fell senseless at his feet. In this state he left her, hurried down stairs, and mounting his horse, rode

* As 'Beverly' or the 'Robinson House' has been frequently referred to, it may not be uninteresting to state, that the Board of Visiters, on Monday, the first of June, visited this justly celebrated spot, and under the guidance and polite attention of Lieutenant THOMAS B. ARDEN, of the Military Academy, stood in the room where Arnold was at breakfast, when the letter was received that announced the arrest of André, and the discovery of his treason. The property now belongs to RICHARD D. ARDEN, Esq., and adjoins his own romantic and beautiful' Ardenia,' whence no visiter' departs, who can ever forget the generous Highland welcome.' Mr. ARDEN, with a true patriotism that does him honor, has permitted no alteration of the interior of the house. The same low ceiling, large and uncovered joists, the same polished tiles around the fire-places, and the absence of all ornament which marks the progress of modern architecture, preserve complete the interest which the stirring incidents of that period have flung around the Robinson House.'

We also visited this chamber, which remains unaltered. Over the mantel is earved in the wood work: G. WALLIS, Lieut. VI. Mass. Regt.

with all possible speed, to the river. In doing so, Arnold did not keep the main road, but passed down the mountain, pursuing a bypath through the woods, which Lieutenant Arden pointed out, and which is now called Arnold's Path.' Near the foot of the mountain, where the path approaches the main road, a weeping willow, planted there no doubt by some patriot hand, stands, in marked contrast with the forest trees which encircle and surround it, to point out to the inquiring tourist the very pathway of the traitor.

In our interesting visit, we were accompanied by the superintendent, Major DELAFIELD, and in the barges kindly ordered for our accommodation, we were rowed to 'Beverly Dock,' and landed at the spot where André took boat to aid his escape. He was rowed to the 'Vulture,' and using a white handkerchief, created the impression that it was a flag-boat: it was therefore suffered to pass. He made himself known to Captain Sutherland, of the Vulture, and then calling on board the leader of the boatmen who had rowed him off, informed him that he and his crew were all prisoners of war. This disgraceful and most unmanly appendix to his treason, was considered so contemptible, by the captain, that he permitted the man to go on shore, on his parol of honor, to procure clothes for himself and comrades. This he did, and returned the same day. When they arrived in New-York, Sir Henry Clinton, holding in just contempt such a wanton act of meanness, set them all at liberty.

When General WASHINGTON reached' Beverly,' and was informed that Arnold had departed for West Point, he crossed directly over, expecting to find him. Surprised to learn that he had not been there, after examining the works he returned. General Hamilton had remained at Beverly,' and as WASHINGTON and his suite were walking up the mountain road, from 'Beverly Dock,' they met General Hamilton, with anxious face and hurried step, coming toward them. A brief and suppressed conversation took place between WASHINTON and himself, and they passed on rapidly to the house, where the papers that WASHINGTON's change of route had prevented his receiving, had been delivered that morning; and being represented to Hamilton as of great and pressing importance, were by him opened, and the dreadful secret disclosed. Instant measures were adopted to intercept Arnold, and prevent his escape, but in vain. General WASHINGTON then communicated the facts to La Fayette and Knox, and said to the former, more in sorrow than in anger,' Whom can we trust now?' He also went up to see Mrs. Arnold; but even WASHINGTON Could carry to her no consolation. Her grief was almost frenzied; and in its wildest moods, she spoke of General WASHINGTON as the murderer of her child. It seemed that she had not the remotest idea of her husband's treason; and she had even schooled her heart to feel more for the cause of America, from her regard for those who professed to love it. Her husband's glory was her dream of bliss the requiem chant for her infant's and she was found, alas! as many a confiding heart has oft been found,

6

To cling like ivy round a worthless thing.'

repose;

Arnold wrote to General WASHINGTON, declaring the innocence of