[Footnote 43:  Mr. Johnson says he did produce it; but that, on being surprised, he had thrust a paper containing a plan of the route in his boot, which, having been perceived, was demanded, and led to his discovery.]

[Illustration:  Where Washington Stayed During Andre’s Trial

In this brick house at Tappan, Rockland County, New York, the American Commander-in-Chief, during September, 1780, awaited the result of the trial of Major John Andre, who conspired with Benedict Arnold for the betrayal of West Point to the British.  Fourteen American officers sat in judgment on Andre and ordered his execution on October 2, 1780.  In Tappan also is still standing the old Tavern where Andre was imprisoned.]

When sufficient time for the escape of Arnold was supposed to have elapsed, Andre, no longer affecting concealment, acknowledged himself to be the adjutant general of the British army.  Jameson, seeking to correct the mischief of his indiscreet communication to Arnold, immediately despatched a packet to the Commander-in-chief containing the papers which had been discovered, with a letter from Andre, relating the manner of his capture, and accounting for the disguise he had assumed.

The express was directed to meet the Commander-in-chief, who was then on his return from Hartford; but, taking different roads,[44] they missed each other, and a delay attended the delivery of the papers, which insured the escape of Arnold.

[Footnote 44:  General Lafayette adds some circumstances which are not found among the manuscript papers of General Washington.  The Commander-in-chief with Generals Lafayette and Knox had turned from the direct route in order to visit a redoubt.  Colonels Hamilton and M’Henry, the aids-de-camp of Generals Washington and Lafayette, went forward to request Mrs. Arnold not to wait breakfast.  Arnold received Andre’s billet in their presence.  He turned pale, left them suddenly, called his wife, communicated the intelligence to her and left her in a swoon, without the knowledge of Hamilton and M’Henry.  Mounting the horse of his aid-de-camp, which was ready saddled, and directing him to inform General Washington on his arrival that Arnold was gone to receive him at West Point, he gained the river shore, and was conveyed in a canoe to the Vulture.

The Commander-in-chief, on his arrival, was informed that Arnold awaited him at West Point.  Taking it for granted that this step had been taken to prepare for his reception, he proceeded thither without entering the house, and was surprised to find that Arnold was not arrived.  On returning to the quarters of that officer he received Jameson’s despatch, which disclosed the whole mystery.]

[Sidenote:  Precautions for the security of West Point.]

Every precaution was immediately taken for the security of West Point; after which, the attention of the Commander-in-chief was turned to Andre.  A board of general officers, of which Major General Greene was president, and the two foreign generals, Lafayette and Steuben, were members, was called, to report a precise state of his case, and to determine the character in which he was to be considered, and the punishment to which he was liable.