" What I have as yet said concerning myself, was in the justifiable attempt to he extricated ; I am too little accustomed to duplicity to have succeeded.

" I beg your excellency will be persuaded, that no alteration in the temper of my mind, or apprehension for my safety, induces me to take the step of addressing you ; but that it is to rescue myself from an imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes or self interest ; a conduct incompatible with the principles that actuate me ; as well as with my conduct in life.

"It is to vindicate my fame that I speak, and not to solicit security.

"The person in your possession is Major John Andre, Adjutant General to the British Army.

"The influence of one commander in the army of his adversary is an advantage taken in war. A correspondence for this purpose I held ; as confidential (in the present instance) with his Excellency, Sir Henry Clinton.

" To favor it, I agreed to meet upon ground not within the posts of either army, a person who was to give me intelligence ; I came up in the Vulture man-of-war for this effect, and was fetched by a boat from the ship to the beach. Being there, I was told that the approach of day would prevent my return, and that I must be concealed until the next night. 1 was in my regimentals, and had fairly risked my person.