"There is now living in this town a gentleman who was an officer in the Massachusetts line, and who was particularly conversant in all the circumstances of that transaction. It was this gentleman who, in company with Captain Hughes, composed the special guard of André's person, was with him during the last twenty-four hours of his life, and supported him to the place of execution. From him we have received the following particulars it is needless to say we give them our implicit belief, since to those who are acquainted with the person to whom we allude, no other testimony is ever necessary than his simple declaration.

To this gentleman André himself related that he was passing down a hill, at the foot of which, under a tree, playing cards, were the three men who took him. They were close by the roadside, and he had approached very near them before either party discovered the other; upon seeing him they instantly rose and seized their rifles. They approached him and demanded who he was; he immediately answered that he was a British officer, supposing, from their being so near the British lines, that they belonged to that party. They then seized him, robbed him of the few guineas which he had with him, and the two watches which he then wore, one of gold and the other of silver. He offered to reward them if they would take him to New York; they hesitated, and in his (André's) opinion, the reason why they did not do so, was the impossibility on his part to secure to them the performance of the promise.

"He informs also that it was an opinion too prevalent to admit of any doubt, that these men were of that description of persons called cow boys,' or those who, without being considered as belonging to either party, made it a business to pillage from both. He has frequently heard this opinion expressed at that time by several officers who were personally acquainted with all these men, and who could not have been mistaken in their general characters,

"André frequently spoke of the kindness of the American officers, and particularly of the attention of Major Tallmadge; and on the way to the place of execution sent for that officer to come near him, that he might learn the manner in which he was to die." Statement of Van Wart (from the National Intelligencer of Feb. 25, 1817):

"Isaac Van Wart, of the town of Mount Pleasant, in the county of Westchester, being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that he is one of the three persons who arrested Major André during the American revolutionary war, and conducted him to the American camp. That he, this deponent, together with David Williams and John Paulding, had secreted themselves at the side of the highway, for the purpose of detecting any person coming from, or having unlawful intercourse with, the enemy, being between the two armies; a service not uncommon in those times. That this deponent and his companions were armed with muskets, and upon seeing Major André approach the place where they were concealed, they rose and presented their muskets at him, and required him to stop, which he did. He then asked them whether they belonged to his party, and then they asked him which was his party? to which he replied the lower party. Upon which they, deeming a little

stratagem under such circumstances not only justifiable but necessary, gave him to understand that they were of his party, upon which he joyfully declared himself to be a British officer, and told them that he had been out upon very particular business. Having ascertained thus much, this deponent and his companions undeceived him as to their characters, declaring themselves to be Americans, and that he must consider himself their prisoner. Upon this, with seeming unconcern, he said he had a pass from General Arnold, which he exhibited, and then insisted on their permitting him to proceed. But they told him that, as he had confessed himself to be a British officer, they deemed it to be their duty to convey him to the American camp; and then took him into a wood, a short distance from the highway, in order to guard against being surprised by parties of the enemy, who were frequently reconnoitering in that neighborhood. That when they had him in the wood they proceeded to search him, for the purpose of ascertaining who and what he was, and found inside of his stockings and boots, next to his bare feet, papers which satisfied them he was a spy. Major André now showed them his gold watch, and remarked that it was evidence of his being a gentleman, and also promised to make them any reward they might name, if they would but permit him to proceed, which they refused. He then told them that if they doubted the fulfilment of his promise, they might conceal him in some secret place, and keep him there until they could send to New York and receive their reward. And this deponent expressly declares, that every offer made by Major André to them was promptly and resolutely refused. And, for himself, he solemnly declares that he had not, and he does most sincerely believe that Paulding and Williams had not, any intention of plundering their prisoner; nor did they confer with each other, or even hesitate whether they should accept his promise, but, on the contrary, they were, in the opinion of this deponent, governed, like himself, by a deep interest in the cause of the country, and a strong sense of duty. And this deponent further says that he never visited the British camp, nor does he believe or suspect that either Paulding or Williams ever did, except that Paulding was, once before André's capture, and once afterwards, made a prisoner by the British, as this deponent has been informed and believes. And this deponent, for himself, expressly denies that he ever held any unlawful traffic or any intercourse whatever with the enemy. And, appealing solemnly to that omniscient Being, at whose tribunal he must soon appear, he doth expressly declare that all accusations, charging him therewith, are utterly untrue. ISAAC VAN WART. "Sworn this 28th day of January, 1817,

before Jacob Radcliff.

"We the subscribers, inhabitants of the county of Westchester, do certify that during the revolutionary war we were well acquainted with Isaac Van Wart, David Williams, and John Paulding, who arrested Major André; and that at no time during the revolutionary war was any suspicion ever entertained by their neighbours or acquaintances, that they, or either of them, held any undue intercourse with the enemy. On the contrary, they were universally esteemed, and taken to be ardent and faithful in the cause of the

courtry. We further certify that the said Paulding and Williams are not now resident among us, but that Isaac Van Wart is a respectable freeholder of the town of Mount Pleasant, that we are all well acquainted with him, and we do not hesitate to declare our belief that there is not an individual in the county of Westchester, acquainted with Isaac Van Wart, who would hesitate to describe him as a man of a sober, moral, industrious, and religious life, as a man whose integrity is as unimpeachable as his veracity is undoubted. In these respects no man in the county of Westchester is his superior.

a

Original Letters of Major André: Anecdotes concerning him, etc.-Permit me to add something to the stock which your correspondent SERVIENS has collected towards his biography of the unfortunate Major André. A friend lately procured for me an inspection of four original letters of Major André, written in 1776, whilst he was prisoner at Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. They are in the possession of Herman Cope, Esq., of this city (Philadelphia), to whose grandfather they were written. It seems that after André was captured by General Montgomery, at Champlain, he was sent as a prisoner to Lancaster in Pennsylvania. Whilst there, he contracted a friendship with Caleb Cope, a member of the Society of Friends, and, in consequence of his professions, a non-combatant in the war. John Cope, a son of this gentleman, seems to have had a talent for drawing, and André gladly assisted and instructed him. After André was removed to Carlisle, the correspondence was in reference to this boy and his studies. The letters

show a kind interest in the young artist; and the reference in the first letter to his endeavours to procure a boarding-house for him, which would keep him away from the officers' mess, shows a regard for his morals and the religious feelings of his father. The request in the fourth letter that the boy would commit the name and friendship of André for him to his memory, has, in reference to the subsequent fate of the writer, a touching interest. Without farther remark, I send verbatim copies of the letters referred to, in which I have strictly followed spelling and punctuation.

Sir,

LETTER I.

You wou'd have heard from me ere this Time had I not wish'd to be able to give you some encouragement to send my young Friend John to Carlisle. My desire was to find a Lodging where I cou'd have him with me, and some quiet honest family of Friends or others where he might have boarded, as it wou'd not have been so proper for him to live with a Mess of Officers. I have been able to find neither and am myself still in a Tavern. The people here are no more willing to harbour us, than those of Lancaster were at our first coming there. If however you can resolve to let him come here, I believe Mr. Despard and I can make him up a bed in a Lodging we have in view, where there will be room enough. He will be the greatest part of the day with us employ'd in the few things I am able to instruct him in. In the meanwhile I may get better acquainted with the Town and provide for his board. With regard to Expence this is to be attended with A little assiduity and friendship is all I ask in my young friend in return for my good will to be of service to him in a way of improving the Talents Nature hath given him. I shall give all my attention to his morals and as I believe him well dispos'd I trust he will acquire no bad habits here. Mr. Despard joins with me in compliments to yourself, Mrs. Cope and family.

none to you.

Dear Sir,

LETTER II.

I am much oblig'd to you for your kind Letter and to your son for his drawings. He is greatly improv'd since I left Lancaster, and I do not doubt but if he continues his application he will make a very great progress. I cannot regret that you did not send your son hither: We have been submitted to alarms and jealousys which wou'd have render'd his stay here very disagreeable to him and I wou'd not willingly see any person suffer on our account; with regard to your apprehensions in consequence of the escape of the Lebanon gentlemen, they were groundless, as we have been on parole ever since our arrival at this place which I can assure you they were not. I shou'd more than once have written to you had opportunitys presented themselves, but the post and we seem to have fallen out, for we can never by that channel either receive or forward a line on the most indifferent subjects. Mr. Despard is very well and desires to be remembered to yourself and family. I beg you wou'd give my most friendly compliments to your Family and particularly to your son my disciple, to whom I hope the future posture of affairs will give me an opportunity of pointing out the way to proficiency in his favorite study, which may tend so much to his pleasure and advantage. Let him go on copying whatever good models he can meet with and never suffer himself to neglect the proportions and never to think of finishing his work, or imitating the fine flowing lines of his copy, till every limb, feature, house, tree or whatever he is drawing, is in its proper place. With a little practice this will be so natural to him, that his Eye will at first sight guide his pencil in the exact distribution of every part of the work. I wish I may soon see you in our way to our own friends with which I hope by Exchange we may be at length reunited.

I am

Dear Sir

Your most obedient
humble servant
J. ANDRE.

Carlisle, the 3d Sept. 1776.

LETTER III.

Your Letter by Mr. Barrington is just come to hand. I am sorry you shou'd imagine my being absent from Lancaster, or our trou

I have just time to acquaint you that I receiv'd your letter by Mrs. Callender with my young friend's drawings, which persuade. mehe is much improv'd, and that he has not been idle. He must take particular care in forming the features in faces, and in copying hands exactly. He shou'd now and then copy things from the life and then compare the proportions with what points he may have; or what rules he may have remember'd. With respect to his shading with Indian Ink, the anatomical figure is tolerably well done, but he wou'd find his work smoother and softer, were he to lay the shades on more gradually, not blackening. the darkest at once but by washing them over repeatedly, and never till the paper is quite dry. The figure is very well drawn.

Capt. Campbell who is the bearer of this Letter will probably when at Lancaster be able to judge what likelyhood there is of an Exchange of prisoners which we are told is to take place immediately; if this shou'd be without foundation, I shou'd be very glad to see your son here. Of this you may speak with Capt. Campbell, and if you shou'd determine upon it, let me know it a few days beforehand when I shall take care to settle matters for his reception. I am Dear Sir

Your most humble servt.
J. ANDRE.

Carlisle, the 11th Oct. 1776.

My best compliments if you please to your family and particularly to John. Mr. Despard begs to be remember'd to you.

Superscription, "To Mr. Caleb Cope,

Lancaster."

Dear Sir,

LETTER V.

I cannot miss the opportunity I have of writing to you by Mr. Slough to take leave of yourself and Family, and transmit to you my sincere wishes for your welfare. We are on our road, as we believe to be exchang'd, and however happy this prospect may make me; It doth not render me less warm in the fate of those persons in this country for whom I had conceived a regard; I trust on your side you will do me the Justice to remember me with some good will, and that you will be persuaded I shall be happy if occasion shall offer of my giving your son some further hints in the Art for which he has so happy a turn. Desire him if you please to commit my name and my friendship for him to his memory, and assure him from me, that if he only brings diligence to her assistance, Nature has open'd him a path to fortune and reputation, and that he may in a few years hope to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Perhaps the face of affairs may so far change that he may once more be within my reach, when It will be a very great pleasure to me to give him what assistance I can. My best compliments as well as Mr. Despard's to Mrs. Cope and the rest of your family. I am truly

Dear Sir

Your most obedt.

humb' servant,
J. ANDRE.

Reading, the 2nd Dec. 1776. Superscription, "Mr. Caleb Cope, Lan

caster."

From a pamphlet lately published at Carlisle, containing the borough ordinances, with a history of the place, I make the following extract, which relates to André whilst a prisoner there :

"During the war Carlisle was made a place of rendezvous for the American troops; and in consequence of being located at a distance from the theatre of war, British prisoners were frequently sent hither for secure confinement. Of these Major André and Lieutenant Despard, who had been taken by Montgomery near Lake Champlain, while here in 1776, occupied the stone house at the corner of South Hanover Street and Locust Alley, and were on a parole of honour of six miles, but were prohibited from going out of the town except in military dress. Mrs. Ramsey, an unflinching Whig, detec

ted two Tories in conversation with these officers,

and immediately made known the circumstances to William Brown, Esq., one of the county committee.

The Tories were imprisoned. Upon their persons were discovered letters written in French, but no one could be found to interpret them, and their contents were never known. After this André and Despard were not allowed to leave the town. They had fowling-pieces of superior workmanship, but now being unable to use them, they broke them to pieces, declaring that no d-d rebel should ever burn powder in them.' During their confinement one Thompson enlisted a company of militia in what is now Perry County, and marched them to Carlisle. Eager to make a display of his own bravery and that of his recruits, he drew up his soldiers at night in front of the house of André and his companion, and swore lustily he would have their lives, because, as he alleged, the Americans who were prisoners in the hands of the British were dying by starvation. Through the importunities, however, of Mrs. Ramsey, Captain Thompson, who had formerly been an apprentice to her husband, was made to desist; and as he countermarched in company, with a menacing nod of the head, he bellowed to the objects of his wrath, 'You may thank my old mistress for your lives.' They were afterwards removed to York, but before their departure sent to Mrs. Ramsey a box of spermaceti candles, with a note requesting her acceptance of the donation as an acknowledgment of her many acts of kindness. The present was declined, Mrs. Ramsey averring that she was too staunch a Whig to accept a gratuity from a British officer. Despard was executed at London, in 1803, for high treason. With the fate of the unfortunate Andre every one is familiar."

Thomas Balch, Esq., of this city informed me some time since that there was a letter in possession of his family, which was written by a member of it who had seen André whilst he was a prisoner of war at Carlisle. It was written after the death of André, and gave the recollections of the writer in reference to him. Mr. Balch promised to endeavour to obtain it for me, but upon inquiry it could not be found. The following statement of the contents from memory is given by L. P. W. Balch, Esq, of Richmond, Virginia :

"All that I recollect is that he (the writer, a near relative) saw André when a prisoner at Carlisle; that he was a very handsome young man, who confined himself to his own room, reading constantly; that he used to sit and read, with his feet on the wainscot of the window, where two beautiful pointer dogs laid their heads on his feet, and that when he, (the writer) afterwards heard of André's capture, he was surprised that he had not suffered the captors to shoot him on the spot."

In the year 1847 Jno. Jay Smith and John F. Watson, of this city, published a volume entitled American Historical and

Literary Curiosities. It contains copies of autograph letters taken by the anastatic process, and other curious affairs. Among the