Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources
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To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

   Robinson's House in the Highlands, September 26, 1780.

    Sir: I have the honor to inform Congress that I arrived here yesterday about 12 o'clock on my return from Hartford. Some hours previous to my arrival Major General Arnold went from his quarters which were at this place; and as it was supposed over the river to the garrison at West-point, whether I proceeded myself in order to visit the post. I found General Arnold had not been there during the day, and on my return to his quarters, he was still absent. In the mean time a packet had arrived from Lt. Colonel Jamison announcing the capture of a John Anderson who was endeavouring to go to New York, with the several interesting and important papers mentioned below, all in the hand writing of General Arnold. This was also accompanied with a letter from the prisoner avowing himself to be Major John André Adjt: General of the British army, relating the manner of his capture, and endeavouring to shew that he did not come under the description of a spy. From these several circumstances, and information that the General seemed to be thrown into some degree of agitation on receiving a letter a little time before he went from his quarters, I was led to conclude immediately that he had heard of Major André's captivity, and that he would if possible escape to the enemy, and accordingly took such measures as appeared the most probable to apprehend him.56 But he had embarked in a barge, and proceeded down the river under a flag to the vulture ship of war, which lay at some miles below Stony and Verplank's points. He wrote me after he got on board a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy. Major André is not arrived yet, but I hope he is secure and that he will be here to-day. 57 I have been and am taking proper precautions, which I trust will prove effectual, to prevent the important consequences which this conduct on the part of General Arnold was intended to produce. I do not know the party that took Major André; but it is said, it consisted only of a few militia, who acted in such a manner upon the occasion as does them the highest honor and proves them to be men of great virtue. They were offered, I am informed, a large sum of money for his release, and as many goods as they would demand, but without any effect. Their conduct gives them a just claim to the thanks of their country, and I also hope they will be otherwise rewarded. As soon as I know their names I shall take pleasure in transmitting them to Congress. I have taken such measures with respect to the Gentlemen of General Arnolds family as prudence dictated; but from every thing that has hitherto come to my knowledge, I have the greatest reason to believe they are perfectly innocent. I early secured, Joshua Smith, the person mentioned in the close of General Arnolds

[Note:"You will see by the inclosed we are too late. Arnold went by water to the Vulture . I shall write to General Greene advising him without making a bustle to be in readiness to march and even to detach a Brigade this way.… The Vulture is gone down to NY." -- Hamilton to Washington , Sept. 25, 1780. Hamilton's letter is in the Washington Papers.]
[Note:André arrived at West Point September 26.]
letter, 58 and find him to have had a considerable share in this business. 59 I have the honor etc. 60

[Note:The N. B. to Arnold's letter of September 25 to Washington read: "In Justice to the Gentlemen of my Family Colonel Varick and Major Franks, I think myself in honor bound to declare, that they as well as Joshua Smith Esqr. (who I know is suspected) are totally Ignorant of any transactions of mine; that they had reason to believe were Injurious to the Public."]
[Note:The inclosures are listed by McHenry on the above letter to Congress, but no copies are found in the Papers of the Continental Congress or the Washington Papers : Council of War, September 6; Estimate of the Force at West Point and Its Dependencies; Estimate of Men to Man the Works at West Point; Remarks on Works of West Point; Return of Ordnance at West Point; Artillery Orders for Disposition of the Corps in Case of an Alarm at West Point; Permit Dated September 22 to Major André, under the description of John Anderson to pass the guards at White Plains, or below if he should choose, being on public business. Copies of all these listed papers in Arnold's writing were found on André. They are now in the New York State Library, Albany, having been acquired by the purchase of the papers of Gov. George Clinton. Presumably they came into Clinton's possession through the civil proceedings instituted by the State relative to Arnold's treason. Photostat copies of them are in the Library of Congress. The original of Arnold's "Remarks on works at West Point" is also in that Library. Arnold made a copy of it, which he gave to André.]
[Note:In the writing of James McHenry, who was then acting as aide to Lafayette The letter was read in Congress on September 30 and referred to James Lovell, Nicholas Van Dyke, and James Duane.]