The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

AT. 48.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 343
Andre was first removed to West Point, and thence
to the head-quarters of the army at Tappan. A board
of officers was summoned, and directed to inquire into
the case of Major Andre, report the facts, and give
their opinion, both in regard to the nature of his offence, and to the punishment that ought to be awarded.
Various papers were laid before the board, and Andre
himself was questioned, and desired to make such statements and explanations as he chose., After a full investigation the board reported, that the prisoner came
on shore in the night, to hold a private and secret interview with General Arnold; that he changed his dress
within the American lines, and passed the guards in a
disguised habit and under a feigned name; that he was
taken in the same disguised habit, having in his possession several papers, which contained intelligence for
the enemy; and that he ought to be considered as a
spy, and, according to the law and usage of nations, to
suffer death. General Washington approved this decision; and Major Andre was executed at Tappan on
the 2d of October.
While Andre's case was pending, Sir Henry Clinton
used every effort in his power to rescue him from his
fate. He wrote to General Washington, and endeavoured to show, that he could not be regarded as a spy,
inasmuch as he came on shore at the request of an
American general, and afterwards acted by his direction. Connected with all the circumstances, this argument could have no weight. That he was drawn into
a snare by a traitor did not make him the less a spy.
As the guilt of Arnold was the cause of all the evils
that followed, an exchange of him for Andre would
have been accepted.; but no such proposal was intimated by the British general; and perhaps it could
not be done consistently with honor and the course