They were accompanied by Beverly Robinson as a witness in the case, and were fortified in their estimation, but w^eakened in reality, by a long explanatory and threatening letter from Arnold to General Washington . The commissioners went up the river in the Greyhonnd schooner, with a flag of truce, on the first of October. Notice of the - intended visit and its objects had been already communicated by Sir Henry Clinton to Washington; and when the vessel an- \ , chored at Dobbs' Ferry, General Greene was there, having been deputed by Washington to hold the interview on his behalf. The person sent on shore by the British commissioners brought word back, that General Robertson only would be permitted to land, and that General Greene was then in readiness to receive him.

. _ • » Sparks' Life of Benedict Arnold, 209-10.

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1S6 HISTORY OF THE

The conference was opened ly Robertson, who paid some compliments to the American general, and expressed the satisfaction he Iiad in treating with him, on nn occasion so interesting to the two armies 'and to humanily. Greene rephed, that it was liecessary for them to know at the out-set on what ground they stood : that he was not there in the character of an officer ; that he was allowed by General Washington to meet him as a private gentleman, but that the case of an acknowledged spy admitted of no discussion. Robertson said his design was to state facts, wljich he hoped would have their due weight, in whatever character he might be supposed to speak.