Robinson's House, September 26, 1780.

    Dr Sir: In the present situation of things I think it necessary that You should join the Army, and request that You will do it. You will come to Head Qrs: Yourself; the Route thro Litchfield will be the most eligible for You on account of security and You may direct your baggage to halt at Fish Kill for your further orders. I write to the Count de Rochambeau by this conveyance and I trust that your coming away now will not be attended with any material inconvenience to him.

    I cannot conclude without informing You of an event which has happened here which will strike You with astonishment and indignation. Major General Arnold has gone to the Enemy. He had had an interview with Major André, Adjutant Genl. of the British Army, and had put into his possession a state of our Army; of the Garrison at this post; of the number of Men considered as necessary for the defence of it; a Return of the Ordnance, and the disposition of the Artillery Corps in case of an Alarm. By a most providential interposition, Major André was taken in returning to New York with all these papers in General Arnold's hand writing, who hearing of the matter kept it secret, left his Quarters immediately under pretence of going over to West point on Monday forenoon, about an hour before my arrival, then pushed down the river in the barge, which was not discovered till I had returned from West point in the Afternoon and when I received the first information of Mr. Andrés captivity Measures were instantly taken to apprehend him, but before the Officers sent for the purpose could reach Verplank's point, he had passed it with a Flag and got on board the Vulture Ship of War, which lay a few miles below. He knew of my approach and that I was visiting with the Marquiss, the North and Middle Redoubts, and from this circumstance was so straitned in point of time that I believe, he carried with him but very few if any material papers, tho he has a very precise knowledge of the Affairs of the post.

    The Gentlemen of General Arnold's family,⁴⁸ I have the greatest reason to believe, were not privy in the least degree to the measures he was carrying on, or to his escape. I am etc. ⁴⁹

[Note:Maj. David Solebury Franks and Lieut. Col. Richard Varick. They were aides to Arnold.]

[Note:The draft is in the writing of Robert Hanson Harrison.]