At Southampton, where his family connections extended, it was reported that Clinton solicited "as a singular favor," after his dear friend and companion should be hung, the body might be sent to him. But Washington refused. Clinton then sent again, that since> the sentence was to bury the body under the gallows, it might be taken up and brought to New York, there to be interred with the military honors due to so brave and accomplished a young man. This, Washington also refused.

This silly tale is sufficiently exposed by Sir Henry's own statement that he knew not of his Adjutant's being hanged till the arrival of Laune

33^ HISTORY OK THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

with his master's baggage, told him all was over. When the burial at the gibbet's foot was about to be made, the man had demanded Andre's uniform, which was accordingly removed and given him. The corpse was then laid in the earth, and no monument but the usual cairn such as rose over the spot where Gustavus fell at Lutzen "for liberty of conscience," marked the solitary grave. The surrounding field was cultivated, but the plough still shunned the place; for it was customary in this region for the laborers in the tillage to spare the soil that covered a soldier; and as early as 1778, the fields of Long Island were noticed to be checkered over with patches of wild growth that showed where men lay who were slain in the battle there.

With generous sensibility, Colonel William S. Smith of our army, embraced the opportunity, of purchasing the watch that the captors had taken. It was sold for their benefit, at thirty guineas. He bought it ;. and mindful of the tender affection with which Andre had been heard to speak of his mother and sisters in England, sent it in to Robertson to be transmitted to these ladies.