The present, therefore, was the most favorable time that would ever present itself-''^-

"Andre was accordmgly dispatched in (he Vulture sloopof war. to hold a personal conference wi(h General Arnold. I'he Vulture ascended t.;e Hudson river on the k!Oih, as far as Teller's Point, and came to anchor at (he mouth of the Haversiraw bay. Here Andre eagerly awaited some opportiujity to acquaint Arnold with his arrival. An occasion tor so doing presented itself the next day. A white flag was displayed at 'leller's Point, by some of the country people, which bjing" interpreted as they Vv^ished, the captain ot (he Vulture sent off a boat with a flag, which was fired upon as soon as it approached the shore. '^I'his gave x4ndre the ojifjoriimity he desired, as it was a proper suba See Baraum's Spy Unmasked..-. - - .

204 HISTORY OF THE

ject for a remonstrance to the commanding oiEcer,and a flag with a letter was accordingly dispatched. The letter was dared on the 2lst Sept. ; it was in the handwriting of Andr6, signed by the captain of the vessel, and countersigned "John Anderson." (And e's assumed name.) This flag was sent to Yerplanck's Point. Arnold arrived just as the boat returned to the Vulture. The letter was handed to him and of course fully understood ; thereupon, he hastened to prepare Smith for a visit to the enemy's vessel on the approaching night. Crossing from Verplanck's to Stony point, he made all the requisite arrangements respecting the boat that Smith would want, and then proceeded to his quarters to remove the difficulty which had occurred respecting boatmen. The guard boats had received orders not to stop Smith, and he also possessed the countersign for the next night, which was the word " Congress." In the morning Smith brought his tenant, Samuel Colquhoun to a conference with Arnold, who requested him to accompany his landlord on a visit that night to the Vulture." The man at first refused, but at last consented to go with his brother, Joseph Colquhoun and Smith- They were directed by Arnold to muffle the oars, and thus prepared, about midnight, the boat arrived at the Vulture.