Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
Gentleman’s Magazine, Supplement 1780, 20pp., plus 16pp index, disbound, VG. Important printing of several General George Washington letters regarding the hanging of Major Andre, the British spy. Also Andre’s letters to Washington. Washington brings Congress the news of Arnold’s traitorous acts with the capture of Andre, in part “...I found General Arnold had not been there during the day ... a packet had arrived from Lt. Colonel Jamison announcing the capture of a John Anderson who was endeavouring to go to New-York, ~ with the several interesting and important papers mentioned below, all in the hand writing of General Arnold. This was all accompanied with a letter from the prisoner avowing himself ~ to be Major John Andre Adjt: General of the British army ... I was able to conclude immediately that he(Arnold) had heard of Major Andre captivity, and that he would if possible escape to the eneny and accordingly took such measures as appeared the most probable to apprehend him. But he had embarked in a barge, and proceeded down the river under a flag to the vulture ship of war, which lay at some miles below Stony and Verplanl. points. Washington’s letter to the Board of General Officers, in ful, “Gentlemen—Major Andre, adjutant-general to the British army, will be brought before you for your examination. He came within our lines in the night, on an interview with Major-General Arnold, and in an assumed character, and was taken within our lines, in a disguised habit, with a pass under a feigned name, and with the enclosed papers concealed upon him. After a careful examination, you will be pleased, as speedily as possible, to report a precise state of his case, together with your opmion of the light in which he ought to be considered, and the punishment that ought to be inflicted. The judge-advocate will attend to assist in the examination, who has sundry other papers relative to this matter, which he will lay before the Board. George Washington.” And, a letter written by Arnold to Washington, in part “I have no favour to ask for myself. I have too often experienced the ingratitude of my country to attempt it; but from the known humanity of your excellency, I am induced to ask your protection for Mrs Arnold ...I beg she may be permitted to return to her friends in Philadelphia, or to come to me, as she may chuse. From your excellency I have no fears on her account, but she may suffer from the mistaken fury of the country....”
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