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 Charleston, who, being either on parole or under protection, were engaged in a conspiracy against us. Though their situation is not similar, they are objects who may be set in exchange for me, or are persons whom the treatment I receive might affect. It is no less, Sir, in a confidence of 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 humble servant, JOHN ANDRÉ, Adjutant-general. B. PAPER DRAWN UP BY MAJOR ANDRÉ N the 20th of September, I left New York to get on board the thought) to meet General the night. No boat, however, came off, and I waited on board until the night of the 21st. During the day, a flag of truce was sent from the Vulture to complain of the violation of a military rule in the instance of a boat having been decoyed on shore by a flag, and fired upon. The letter was addressed to General Arnold, signed by Captain Sutherland, but written in my hand and countersigned 'J. Anderson, secretary.' Its intent was to indicate my presence on board the Vulture. In the night of the 21st a boat with Mr. [Smith] and two hands came on board, in order to fetch Mr. Anderson on shore, and, if too late to bring me back, to lodge me until the next night in a place of safety. I went into the boat, landed, and spoke with Arnold. I got on horseback with him to proceed to [Smith's] house, and in the way passed a guard I did not expect to see, having Sir Henry Clinton's directions not to go within an enemy's post, or to quit my own dress. In the morning A. quitted me, having himself made me put the papers I bore between my stockings and feet. Whilst he did it, he expressed a wish in case of any accident befalling me, that they should be destroyed, which I said, of course would be the case, as when I went into the boat I should have them tied about with a string and a stone. Before we parted, some mention had been made of my crossing the river, and going by another route; but, I objected much against it, and thought it was settled that in the way I came I was also to return. Mr. [Smith] to my great mortification persisted in his determination of carrying me by the other route; and, at the decline of the sun, I set out on horseback, passed King's Ferry, and came to Crompond, where a party of militia stopped us and advised we should remain. In the morning I came with [Smith] as far as within two miles and a half of Pine's Bridge, where he said he must part with me, as the Cow-boys infested the road thence forward. I was now near thirty miles from Kingsbridge, and left to the chance of passing that space undiscovered. I got to the neighbourhood of Tarrytown, which was far beyond the points described as dangerous, when I was taken by three volunteers, who, not satisfied with my pass, rifled me, and, finding papers, made me a prisoner. I have omitted mentioning, that, when I found myself within an enemy's posts, I changed my dress. C. MAJOR ANDRÉ TO GENERAL WASHINGTON TAPPAN, 1 October, 1780.- 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 me 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 towards 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 towards me, if aught in my misfortunes marks me as the victim of policy and not of resentment, I shall experience the operation of these 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, George Washington, Writings (edited by Jared Sparks, Boston, 1835), VII, Appendix, 531-543 passim. PART VIII PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTION CHAPTER XXX-UNION AND INDEPEND ENCE 184. Proceedings of a Revolutionary Convention ments. (1775) BY CI.ERK GABRIEL DU VALL The first step in the Revolution was to overthrow the existing colonial governIn some colonies, as Maryland, the governors refused to call assemblies, and the control of colonial matters was taken over by an irregular and revolutionary body elected by the patriots. The proceedings printed below are typical of those in county, town, and provincial assemblies throughout the country. - Bibliography: Frothingham, Rise of the Republic, ch. xii; Curtis, History of the Constitution, I, ch. iii; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 137. — Compare with assembly proceedings, ch. ix above. AT Ta Meeting of the Delegates appointed by the Several Counties. of the Province of Maryland, at Annapolis, on Wednesday the 26th of July 1775 ・・・ Friday July 28. . . . The petition of Patrick Graham of Charles County, Taylor, praying a "Remission of the Sentence of the Committee of Charles County, and that he might be restored to the privileges of a Citizen" being read and considered, It is thereupon Resolved, that the said Patrick Graham be allowed to exercise his former Trade of a Taylor, and that he also be permitted to buy provisions and other necessaries for the use of his family; And that the said Patrick Graham be allowed and permitted to collect, and receive all just Debts due to him; and that all persons be permitted to employ the said Patrick Graham as a Taylor, and to sell him provisions and other necessaries for his Family. But that the said Patrick Graham be not allowed to carry on any Traffick or merchandize, until it be otherwise resolved by this, or some future Convention. . . . On Motion, Resolved, That the value of £5900, common money be borrowed on the credit of this Convention to be laid out in the purchase of 48 Tons of Lead, one hundred pounds value in Gun-Flints, two Tons of Cannon powder, and the residue of the said sum in Musquetry powder, for the use of this Province, to be repaid out of the first notes of Credit to be issued by this Convention. Wednesday 2 August. . . . On Motion Resolved, That a Committee of seven members of this Convention be appointed to consider of a proper mode to be adopted to prevent the Inhabitants of this Province being harrassed with suits at law, and for laying such restriction on the proceedings of the Courts of Law as may be necessary and expedient in the present circumstances of this Province. . Thursday 3 August... Col Richard Lloyd and D' Richard Brooke have leave of absence. On motion Resolved, That an alteration be made in the Resolve of December Convention, relative to the killing of Lamb. Resolved, that the resolution of this Province "that no person ought to kill Lamb, dropt before the first day of May yearly, or other Sheep, after the first day of January then next, under four years of age " be repealed so far as relates to killing of Lamb; but it is earnestly recommended that the Continental Resolve respecting the killing of Sheep be most strictly observed. . . . Friday 4th August. Resolved, That if any persons will lend and advance to the Public any sums of money not exceeding in the whole four thousand pounds common money, and will pay the same into the hands of Mess" Purviance, Smith & Stewart, to be by them laid out in the purchase and importation of Gunpowder and good substantial musquets, Bayonets, and accoutrements for Soldiers for the use of this Province, the Lenders shall be repaid their money out of the Bills of Credit to be issued, or if Bills of Exchange shall be lent, then the same shall be repaid in the same manner as the other loans of Bills of Exchange to this Convention. On reading and considering the Petition of Richard Henderson of Bladensburgh, setting forth his apprehensions, that some people of the neighbourhood of that place, if not advised to the contrary by this Convention may do violence to his person or property . . . this Convention strongly impressed with an idea of the confusion and disorder which must inevitably ensue, and the disunion which must necessarily follow, from the people at large being collected and inflicting punishments before a cool and temperate investigation of the case; and consequently the injury which may be thereby done to the common cause of Liberty, confide, that the Virtue of the people, and their attachment to the liberties of America, will guard them against a commission of the Excess apprehended. . . . Monday 7th August.. The memorial of James Christie Jun' of Baltimore Town was read; and upon reading the Letter of the said James Christie therein referred to, dated the 22d of February 1775, to Gabriel Christie, Lieutenant Colonel of the 60th Regiment in which the said Christie represented the inhabitants of that Town, as concerned in measures, in his opinion, treasonable and rebellious; and that a number of Soldiers would keep them very quiet; the same was considered by this Convention and thereupon it is Resolved, that the said James Christie, by the said Letter hath manifested a spirit & principle altogether inimical to the Rights and Liberties of America; that the said James Christie by insinuating the necessity of introducing a Military Force into this Province, has manifested an inveterate enmity to the Liberties of this Province in particular, and of British America in general. Therefore Resolved, that the said James Christie is, and ought to be considered as an enemy to America, and that no person trade, deal or barter with him hereafter unless for necessaries and provisions, or for the sale or purchase of any part of his real or personal Estate, of which he may at this time be seised or possessed. Resolved that the said James Christie be Expelled and banished this Province for ever, and that he depart this Province before the first Day of September next. Resolved, That no punishment be inflicted on the said James Christie other than what is now directed by this Convention. Resolved, That the said James Christie deposit in the Hands of this |