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Subject Area: War and Peace
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO GOVERNOR CLINTON. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. VIII (1779-1780) [1890]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. VIII (1779-1780).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

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TO GOVERNOR CLINTON.

Dear Sir,

I arrived here yesterday, on my return from an interview with the French general and admiral, and have been witness to a scene of treason, as shocking as it was unexpected. General Arnold, from every circumstance, had entered into a plot for sacrificing West Point. He had an interview with Major André, the British adjutant-general, last week at Joshua H. Smith’s, where the plan was concerted. By an extraordinary concurrence of incidents André was taken on his return, with several papers in Arnold’s hand-writing, that proved the treason. The latter unluckily got notice of it before I did,2 went immediately down the river, got on board the Vulture, which brought up André, and proceeded to New York. I found the post in the most critical condition, and have been taking measures to give it security, which I hope will be to-night effectual. With the greatest respect and regard, I have the honor to be, &c.

P. S.—Smith is also in our possession and has confessed facts sufficient to establish his guilt.

[2 ]Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson had notified Arnold, as his superior officer, of the capture of André.