The Crisis of the Revolution :: Greenburgh Public Library, The Land and People of Greenburgh

Collection Title

The Crisis of the Revolution

William Abbatt

Page 68; Three footnotes

Correspondence

Geographic Location

Camp, Tappan; Dobbs Ferry; New York

Date Original

Digitization Specifications

JPEG Images: Format: 300dpi, 24-bit RGB Color; Professional Photography by Hudson Microimaging; Scanner: Phase One - P45; Operator: Michael Macauley

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Arnold-Andre-1899_135.jpg

Date Digital

Greenburgh Public Library

Contributing Institution

Greenburgh Public Library; Nancy Larrabee

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The Crisis of the Revolution

Collection Title	The Crisis of the Revolution
Creator	William Abbatt
Description	Page 68; Three footnotes
Subject	Correspondence
Full Text	68 October i. Sir,—Buoyed above the terror of death by the consciousness of a life devoted to honourable 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 adopt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of honour. Let me hope, Sir, 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 I am not to die on a gibbet.1 I have the honour, etc., etc., John AndrS. From Washington's silence in regard to it Andre1 must have inferred a refusal, at first, as is shown by his letter to his friend Lieutenant Colonel William Crosbie, a 2d Regiment, in New York:2 The manner in which I am to die at first gave me some slight uneasiness; but I instantly recollected that it is the crime alone that makes any mode of punishment ignominious—and I could not think an attempt to put an end to a civil war, and to stop the effusion of human blood, a crime. From his subsequent words, it would seem that the impression had given place to a belief that his request would be granted. The morning of the eventful second of October brought no message of comfort to the waiting Robertson, but a note from Greene conveyed the news that the execution would not be further delayed: Camp, Tappan, 2 October. Sir,—Agreeably to your request, I communicated to General Washington the substance of your conversation, with all the particulars, as far as my memory served me. It made no alteration in his opinion and determination. I need say no more, after what you have already been informed. Robertson, as a last hope, wrote again to Washington: Greyhound Schooner, Flag of Truce, Dobbs's Ferry, October 2, 1780. Sir,—A note I had from General Greene leaves me in doubt if his memory had served him, to relate to you with exactness the substance of the conversation that had passed between him and myself on the subject of Major Andre\ In an affair of so much 8 Sargent says he remarked : " Since it is my lot to die, there is still a choice in the mode which would make a material difference to my feelings, and I would be happy, if possible, to be indulged with a professional death." 1 On the morning of the second, Hamilton wrote to Miss Schuyler: Everything that is amiable in virtue, in fortitude, in delicate sentiments, and accomplished manners, plead for him; but hard-hearted policy calls for a sacrifice. He must die. I must inform you that I urged a compliance with his request to be shot, and I do not think it would have had an ill effect, but some people are only sensible to motives of policy, and sometimes, from a narrow disposition— mistake it. 2 This was taken to New York by Laune, after the execution.
Language	English
Geographic Location	Camp, Tappan; Dobbs Ferry; New York
Date Original	1899
Digitization Specifications	JPEG Images: Format: 300dpi, 24-bit RGB Color; Professional Photography by Hudson Microimaging; Scanner: Phase One - P45; Operator: Michael Macauley
Type	Text
Format	JPG
Height	3450
Width	2694
Color Space	RGB
Resource identifier	Arnold-Andre-1899_135.jpg
Collection	Greenburgh Public Library Local History Collection
Date Digital	2008-08-07
Publisher	Greenburgh Public Library
Contributing Institution	Greenburgh Public Library; Nancy Larrabee

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The Crisis of the Revolution

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