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
Adj. Gen. to the British Army.
George Washington, Writings (edited by Jared Sparks, Boston, 1835), VII, Appendix, 531-543 passim.
