As soon as Washington had solved the mystery, "and the whole extent of the plot was made manifest, Hamilton was immediately ordered to mount a horse and ride to Verplanck's Point, that preparations might be made for stopping Arnold, should he not already have passed that post." " But Col. Hamilton's mission proved too late. It could hardly have been otherwise, for Arnold had got the start by six hours. He left his house about tun o'clock in the morning, and his treachery was not known to Washington till nearly four o'clock in the afternoon. When Hamilton arrived at Verplanck's Point, a flag of truce was

" Sparks' Life of Arnold, 241, 2, 3.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 101 '

coming, or had come from the Yulture to that post with a letter from Arnold to Washington. "^

"The case of Col. Livingston is worthy of notice. He commanded at Yerplanck's Point, and from the proximity of his post to the enemy, and several concurring circumstances, mig'U he very fairly presumed to have been either directly or indirectly concerned in Arnold's manoeuvres. By a very laconic letter^ Washington ordered that ofScer to come to him immediately. Livingston expected, at least, a severe scrutiny into his conduct, being fully aware, though conscious of his innocence, that circumstances were unfavorable. But Washington made no inr^uiries into the past, nor uttered a syllable that implied distrust. He told Col. Livingston that he had sent for him to give him very special orders, to impress upon him the danger of his post and the necessity of vigilance, and to communicate other particulars, which could only be done in a personal interview. In conclusion he said it was a source of gratification to him, that the post was in the hands of an officer, whose courage and devotedness to the cause of his country afforded a pledge of a faithful and honorable discharge of duty.