The letters which Lee received from Champe, announced that the difficulties in his way were numerous and stubborn, and that his prospect of success was by no means cheering.  With respect to the charges against certain officers and soldiers in the American army of an intention to follow Arnold’s example, he expressed his decided conviction that they were unfounded; that they had taken their rise in the enemy’s camp, and that they would be satisfactorily confuted.  But the pleasure which the latter part of this communication afforded was damped by the tidings it imparted respecting Arnold—­as on his speedy capture and safe delivery depended Andre’s relief.

The interposition of Sir Henry Clinton, who was extremely anxious to save his much-loved aid-de-camp, still continued.  It was expected that the examination of witnesses in Andre’s case and the defense of the prisoner, would protract the decision of the court of inquiry then assembled, and give sufficient time for the consummation of the project confided to Champe.  This hope was disappointed in a manner wholly unexpected.  The honorable and accomplished Andre disdained defense, and prevented the examination of witnesses, by confessing the character of the mission, in the execution of which he was arrested.  The court reassembled on the second of October.  Andre was declared to be a spy, and condemned to suffer accordingly.

The painful sentence was executed on the subsequent day, in the usual form, the commander-in-chief deeming it improper to interpose any delay.  In this decision he was warranted by the unpromising intelligence received from Champe—­by the still existing implication of other officers in Arnold’s conspiracy—­by a due regard to public opinion, and by the inexorable necessity of a severe example.

The fate of Andre, hastened by himself, deprived the enterprise committed to Champe of a feature which had been highly prized by the projector, and which had engaged the heart of the individual selected for its execution.  Washington ordered Major Lee to communicate what had passed to the sergeant, with directions to encourage him to prosecute with vigor the remaining objects of his instructions.  Champe bitterly deplored the fate of Andre, and confessed that the hope of saving the unfortunate young man had been his main inducement in undertaking his dangerous enterprise.  Nothing now remained but to attempt the seizure of Arnold.  To this object Champe gave his undivided attention.  Ten days elapsed before he could conclude his arrangements, at the end of which time, Lee received from him his final communication, appointing the third subsequent night for a party of dragoons to meet him at Hoboken, when he hoped to deliver Arnold to the officer.

From the moment of his enlistment into Arnold’s corps, Champe had every opportunity he could desire for watching the habits of that individual.  He discovered that it was his custom to return home about twelve every night, and that, previous to going to bed, he generally walked in his garden.  During this visit, the conspirators were to seize him, gag him, and carry him across the river.