b It is a curious fact mentioned by Sparks in his Biography of Arnold, that the last canto of Andre's humorous satire, called the " Cow-chase," was first printed on the very day of his capture. It will be found in Rivington's Royal Gazette fof Sept. 23, 1780. It ends with the following stanza.

'* And now I've closed my epic strain, I tremble as I show it, Lest this same warrior-drover, Wayne, Should ever catch the poet."

[Sparks' Biog. Arnold, 228. « See North Castle. S. Salem.

Vol. L 29

226 HISTORY OF THE

Upon the delivery of their prisoner, the seven patriots returned to their different quarters, little imagining the importance of tlieir prize. A little more than a month afterwards, (General Washington having recommended the captors to Congress,) they received the following vote of thanks from that body.

In Congress, November 3, 1780.

Whereas Congress have received information that John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac van Wart, three young volunteer militia men of the State of New York, did, on the 23d day of September last, intercept Major John Andr-', adjutant general of the British army, on his return from the American lines in the character of a spy, and notwithstanding the large bribes offered them for his release, nobly disdaining to sacrifice their country for the sake of gold, sec ..red and conveyed him to the commarding officer of the district, whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspiracy of Benedict Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs of the enemy baffled, and the United Slates rescued from impending danger :