He would promptly inform them whether or not he could engage in their affairs, if he declined, his reasons were always polite and satisfactory; if he consented, the applicant was sure of an answer from Sir Henry within twenty-four hours. Clinton's confidence was evidenced in the spring of 1 779 by his appointment of Andre, with Colonel West Hyde of the Guards, as commissioner to negotiate with the Americans an exchange of prisoners." The following extract is from the Pennsylvania Packet, 1780-1781 : "Major Andre had ye address to insinuate himself so much unto ye favour of his commanderin-chief that he was said to have gained an absolute ascendency over this officer. The consequence was that he disposed of all his offices and favours and drove out from Sir Henry's family all his former favourites, &c Letter from a Carolina Exile. When Major Stephen Kemble, the brotherin-law of General Gage resigned the adjutant-major-generalcy, it was forthwith bestowed upon Andre, and thenceforth all the business at headquarters of the Department passed through his hands. It was thus at the beginning of the Fall in 1779, that he commenced the virtual discharge of the Adjutant-gen eralcy in which he continued till his death." It was in March or April, 1779, that General Arnold, commanding at Philadelphia, had, under the feigned name of Gustavus, begun a secret correspondence with Clinton; who committed the matter to the hands of Andre. The latter wrote over the signature of John Anderson; and was replied to as " Mr. John Anderson, merchant, to the care of James Osborn, to be left at the Rev. Mr. Odea's, Ntw York." Though at the outset the English had no clue to their correspondent's identity, the character and value of his information soon led them to suspect it; and it is supposed by some, that this letter to Mr.