The Commander-in-Chief having thus given the Council a full view of our present Situation and future prospects, requests the Opinicm of each Member, in writing, what plan it will be advisable to pursue, to what objects Our Attention ought to be directed in the course of this fall and winter, taking into consideration the alternative of having or not having a Naval Superiority, whether any Offensive operations can be immediately undertaken and against what Point, what ought to be our immediate Preparations and dispositions, particularly whether we can afford or ought to send any Reinforcements from this Army to the Southern States, and to what amount the General Requests to be favored with these opinions by the 10th Instant at farthest.

" This concludes the famous " Andre Papers.'^ A more remarkable set of documents no man surely ever set foot on before.

224 HISTORY OF THE

The papers themselves look yellow, are much crumpled and worn, and bear evident marks of age."a

« # » ♦ ♦ » #

" Upon this we made him dress himself and I asked him what he would give us to let him go. He said he would give, us any sum of money. 1 asked him whither he would give us his horse, saddle, bridle, watch, and one hundred guineas. He said 'yes,' and told us he would direct them to any place, even if it was that very spot, so that we could get them. I asked him whither he would not give us more. He said he would give us any quantity of dry goods, or any sum of money, and bring it to any place that we might pitch upon, so that we might get it. Mr. Paulding answered, ' No, if you would give us two thousand guineas you should not stir one step.' I then asked the person who had called himself John Anderson, if he would not get away if it lay in his power.