circumstances attending the dark plot in which he had been engaged, that they might judge whether he must be considered as a spy. He was treated with great tenderness, and was told that he might refuse to reply to any questions that would lead to his condemnation; but his mind, which had no doubt been engaged in solemn reflection, could no longer willingly practise deception, and with manly frankness, he acknowledged the part he had been acting, so that it was not necessary to examine one witness.

With the hope of forming some excuse for him, it was said that he had gone to West Point with a flag of truce. He was asked if this was true; he replied, "Had I come with a flag, I might have returned with a flag." An American officer who had a hope that he might yet be saved from condemnation, began to say to him that perhaps he might be exchanged for Arnold,"Stop," said André, "such a proposal can never come from me." All the circumstances which he confessed, led the officers to determine, that he deserved the character of a spy, and death is the sentence which the stern laws of war pass upon such a cha

racter.

Universal sorrow was felt for the sad and disgraceful close of life to which this young officer was brought, by his departure from the path of rectitude. General Washington,

in a private letter, expressed his estimation of the character of André; and perhaps never performed with so much reluctance any painful duty, as he did that of signing his sentence of death. Arnold wrote several letters on the subject to General Washington, but he did not notice them; and directed that his baggage should all be sent to him, and that Mrs. Arnold should be carefully conducted to New-York, where he was.

We are so ready to forget how unbounded and wonderful the power of God is, that we think and speak of events, which we consider trifling, as if they were not directed by him; but to say that any event happens "by chance," or "by accident," has no meaning, unless chance and accident are used as names for the secret workings of Divine power, which overrules the smallest occurrence as certainly as the greatest event. In every circumstance connected with Arnold's plot of treason, might be traced that Providence which can make the smallest incident defeat the wisest plans of man; and prove that "A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps."

The disappointed baseness of Arnold was constrained to be useful to his country. He sent addresses to the officers and soldiers of the American army, to persuade them to follow his example; assuring them that if they did so, they would be liberally reward

ed. These addresses had the effect of uniting the Americans more firmly than ever; and the indignation which they felt, animated them to more exertions, to prove that they were determined to persevere in the defence of their country, and despised the man who had forsaken the cause of freedom.

Arnold was the only American officer, who, through all the course of the war, deserved the name of traitor; and he most truly merited it; for, after he had joined himself to the enemies of his country, he was active in his endeavours to plan and perform deeds that would be most likely to injure it, and cause distress to his countrymen; but those revengeful endeavours were made to produce good for those against whom they were directed.

The account which he gave to Sir Henry Clinton of the weak and suffering state of the American army, caused him to feel a security and confidence in his own strength, which in several instances was advantageous to them. It has been said, that when all "the probable consequences of his plot, had it been successful, came to be considered, and the seeming accidents by which it was discovered and defeated, all were filled with a kind of awful astonishment, and the devout perceived in the transaction the hand of Providence guiding America to indepen dence."

CHAPTER VII.

In his conversation with the French admiral at Hartford, General Washington had been convinced, that he must give up his favourite plan of attacking New-York that season. The admiral told him, that he expected an addition to his fleet; but that until it arrived, he had not a force which he considered sufficient to meet the English fleet, with any probability of success, in an action. The two armies continued merely watching each other, until the time arrived for going into winter quarters; and the Americans were then stationed near Morristown, and on the borders of New-York and New-Jersey. The troops belonging to the New-England states were placed at West Point, and on both sides of the river Hudson.

Dec.

The sad work of war was going on in the southern states. General Cornwallis, who had been left there with an army, had, on the 16th of August, attacked the Americans at Camden, and had almost entirely defeated them. He then seemed to consider South Carolina as a conquered state, and all the efforts that were made to resist him, he called acts of rebellion," and gave orders,

that all persons who were found opposing the authority of the king of England, should have their property destroyed, and be treated with the greatest severity.

Some of the Americans had joined the English army, and Cornwallis heard that there were others in the back part of the state of North Carolina, who were willing to do so; and he sent Major Ferguson with troops, to unite with them in resisting and attacking all who continued faithful to the cause of independence.

Colonel Clarke, an American, who had left his home, in Georgia, when the English. took possession of that state, collected a small company and attacked Augusta; the English troops there were soon aided by an additional force, and Colonel Clarke retreated to the mountains. Ferguson heard of this, and resolved to stop him and his brave little band; but some hardy mountaineers, from the western parts of Virginia and North Carolina, assembled quickly, and were joined by some militia from South Carolina. They marched rapidly towards Ferguson, who was posted on King's Mountain, and they attacked him so bravely, that in a short Oct. 7. time his troops were entirely defeated. Ferguson was killed: three hundred of his party killed or wounded, and eight hundred made prisoners. One thousand five hundred stand of arms were taken. The