proof of it. Sitting in a Coffee-house at Cowes, in 1792, with a British officer of high distinction, he purposely turned the conversation on the blessings of the Americans, declaring with earnestness, that he believed them happier, and more to be envied than any people in the world. A stranger who sat near, and who appeared intent on these encomiums, rose hastily and left the room, when my companion said, "I perceive that you are unacquainted with the traitor, once the pride of your army; the man who has just retired is Benedict Arnold. The language which I used must have appeared extravagant. I spoke of America with enthusiasm, to make him feel his degradation, as no one, in my opinion, so highly merits execration." Well then may we say to fame, "Here and there leave a blank in the page, SIR C. H. WILLIAMS. Or still more forcibly to speak our abhorrence, "Let ignominy brand his hated name, "Let modest matrons at its mention start, “And blushing virgins, when they read our annals, "And blots the noble work.” It must ever be lamented, that while so generous and high spirited a soldier as André paid the penalty of the treason, the traitor should live to enjoy pecuniary recompense and command. I cannot say honour, for from the moment of his apostacy, he sunk into the most profound abyss of infamy. The very services required of him, showed the opinion of the Commander in Chief. What was the object in Virginia? Plunder. What at New-London? Destruction. He was an adept at both, and failed not to add to the Such is his black catalogue of his former atrocities. To finish the climax of iniquity, as if insensible to the results contemplated by his treason, the destruction of the liberties of his country, and of the friends who had fought by his side, he has presumed to say," That as Major André came within the American posts at his request, he ought also, under the same sanction, to have been allowed to return in safety." In other words; after having obtained every possible information as to our strength and resources, and having learnt the points at which West Point was most assailable, that he should have been allowed to communicate all this to an active enemy, prepared to take advantage of it. reasoning. He then proceeds to threats. "I have further to observe, that forty gentlemen, inhabitants of South-Carolina, have justly forfeited their lives, which have hitherto been spared, through the clemency of his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, who cannot, with propriety, extend his mercy to them any longer, if Major André suffers, which will open a scene of blood at which humanity will revolt." It is well known that the falsity of the accusation against these patriotic citizens was so gross, that the British never attempted to support it. Had but a shadow of reason appeared to countenance it, there is no doubt but that severity would have been pushed to its utmost limit. MAJOR ANDRE. IT is certainly a very singular circumstance, that André should, in a very satirical Poem, have foretold his own fate. It was called the " Cow Chace," and was published by Rivington, at New-York, in consequence of the failure of an expedition undertaken by Wayne for the purpose of collecting cattle. Great liberties are taken with the American officers employed on the occasion. With "Harry Lee and his Dragoons, and Proctor with his cannon." but the point of his irony seemed particularly aimed at Wayne, whose entire baggage, he asserts, was taken, containing "His Congress dollars, and his prog, < His cornstalk whiskey for his grog, And concludes by observing, that it is necessary to check the current of satire, "Lest the same warrió-dróver Wayne, "Should catch-and hang the Poet." He was actually taken by a party from the division of the army immediately under the command of Wayne. CAPTORS OF ANDRE. I SHALL not further notice the attempt to take from the captors of Major André, the credit so justly acquired by their refusing the bribes which he offered, than to express my satisfaction at its complete failure. To deprive such men of honours, that not only established their fame, but increased the reputation of their country, merely on report, and the suggestions of the prisoner, is, indeed, as has been forcibly said," To tear the fairest leaf from our history." But after the insult offered to public sentiment, by the attempt to insinuate that Putnam wanted courage; that the veteran, who through a long course of service, and to his last hour possessed the entire confidence of the Father of his country, whose achievements the painter and historian have delighted to celebrate, shrunk from his duty, we may well say, "What worth so strong "Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue." SHAKSPEARE. Fascinated by the manners and character of Major André, and particularly by the firmness he displayed, it is evident that Major Talmadge was prepared to believe whatever he might assert; for he stands too high in the estimation of his brother officers, and of the community, to be suspected of a desire to depreciate the merits of men to whom honour is due. But why such delay-why suffer medals to be delivered to them in presence of the army, in testimony of fidelity. Why suffer Congress to settle a pension on each, reciting in their journals, "In consequence of their virtue in refusing a large sum offered to them by Major André, as a bribe to permit him to escape;" and then, "that had the bribe after a lapse of 37 years, assert, been higher, the men possessing the blessings of their country, would have been stigmatised by its curses." An extract of a letter from General Hamilton, in 1780, to Colonel Sears, of Boston, settles the point to my satisfaction. He says, " to the conduct of Arnold, that of the captors of André forms a striking contrast. tempted their integrity with the offer of his watch, his horse, and any sum of money they should name. They rejected his offers with indignation; and the gold which could seduce a man, high in the esteem and confidence of his country, who had the remembrance of past exploits, the motives of present reputation and future glory to prop his integrity, had no charms for He |