Andre; a tragedy, in five acts: as performed by the Old American Company, New-York, March 30, 1798. : To which are added, authentic documents respecting Major Andre; consisting of letters to Miss Seward, The cow chace, proceedings of the court martial, &c. : Copy right secured.

PREFACE.

MORE than nine years ago the Author made choice of the death of Major André as the subject of a Tragedy, and part of what is now offered to the public was written at that time. Many circumstances discouraged him from finish|ing his Play, and among them must be reckoned a prevail|ing opinion that recent events are unfit subjects for tragedy. These discouragements have at length all given way to his desire of bringing a story on the Stage so eminently fitted, in his opinion, to excite interest in the breasts of an American audience.

In exhibiting a stage representation of a real transaction, the particulars of which are fresh in the minds of many of the audience, an author has this peculiar difficulty to struggle with, that those who know the events expect to see them all recorded; and any deviation from what they remember to be fact, appears to them as a fault in the poet; they are disappointed, their expectations are not fulfilled, and the writer is more or less condemned, not considering the differ|ence between the poet and the historian, or not knowing that what is intended to be exhibited is a free poetical pic|ture, not an exact historical portrait.

Still further difficulties has the Tragedy of André to sur|mount, difficulties independent of its own demerits, in its way to public favor. The subject necessarily involves poli|tical questions; but the Author presumes that he owes no apology to any one for having shewn himself an American. The friends of Major André (and it appears that all who

knew him were his friends) will look with a jealous eye on the Poem, whose principal incident is the sad catastrophe which his misconduct, in submitting to be an instrument in a transaction of treachery and deceit, justly brought upon him: but these friends have no cause of offence; the Author has adorned the poetical character of André with every virtue; he has made him his Hero; to do which, he was under the necessity of making him condemn his own conduct, in the one dreadfully unfortunate action of his life. To shew the effects which Major André's excellent qualities had upon the minds of men, the Author has drawn a generous and amiable youth, so blinded by his love for the accomplished Briton, as to consider his country, and the great commander of her armies, as in the commission of such horrid injustice, that he, in the anguish of his soul, disclaims the service. In this it appears, since the first representation, that the Author has gone near to offend the veterans of the Ame|rican army who were present on the first night, and who not knowing the sequel of the action, felt much disposed to condemn him: but surely they must remember the diver|sity of opinion which agitated the minds of men at that time, on the question of the propriety of putting André to death; and when they add the circumstances of André's having saved the life of this youth, and gained his ardent friendship, they will be inclined to mingle with their disap|probation, a sentiment of pity, and excuse, perhaps com|mend, the Poet, who has represented the action without sanctioning it by his approbation.

As a sequel to the affair of the cockade, the Author has added the following lines, which the reader is requested to insert, page 55, between the 5th and 15th lines, instead of the lines he will find there, which were printed before the piece was represented.—

BLAND.

Noble M^cDonald, truth and honor's champion! Yet think not strange that my intemperance wrong'd thee: Good as thou art! for, would'st thou, can'st thou, think it?

My tongue, unbridled, hath the same offence, With action violent, and boisterous tone, Hurl'd on that glorious man, whose pious labours Shield from every ill his grateful country! That man, whom friends to adoration love, And enemies revere.—Yes, M^cDonald, Even in the presence of the first of men Did I abjure the service of my country, And rest my helmet of that glorious badge Which graces even the brow of Washington. How shall I see him more!—

M^cDONALD.

Alive himself to every generous impulse, He hath excus'd the impetuous warmth of youth, In expectation that thy fiery soul, Chasten'd by time and reason, will receive The stamp indelible of godlike virtue. To me, in trust, he gave this badge disclaim'd, With power, when thou should'st see thy wrongful error, From him, to reinstate it in thy helm, And thee in his high favour.

(Gives the cockade.)

BLAND

(Takes the cockade and replaces it.)

Shall I speak my thoughts of thee and him▪ No:—let my actions henceforth shew what thou And he have made me. Ne'er shall my helmet Lack again its proudest, noblest ornament, Until my country knows the rest of peace, Or Bland the peace of death!

Exit.

This alteration, as well as the whole performance, on the second night, met the warm approbation of the audience.

To the performers the Author takes this opportunity of returning his thanks for their exertions in his behalf; per|fectly convinced, that on this, as on former occasions, the members of the Old American Company have anxiously striven to oblige him.

If this Play is successful, it will be a proof that recent events may be so managed in tragedy as to command popu|lar

attention; if it is unsuccessful, the question must remain undetermined until some more powerful writer shall again make the experiment. The Poem is now submitted to the ordeal of closet examination, with the Author's respectful assurance to every reader, that as it is not his interest, so it has not been his intention to offend any; but, on the con|trary, to impress, through the medium of a pleasing stage exhibition, the sublime lessons of Truth and Justice upon the minds of his countrymen.

W. DUNLAP.

New-York, April 4th, 1798.