"I beg your excellency will be persuaded, that no alteration in the temper of my mind, or apprehension for my safety, induces me to take the step of addressing you ; but that it is to rescue myself from an imputation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes or self interest ; a conduct incompatible with the principles that actuate me ; as well as with my conduct in life.

"It is to vindicate my fame that I speak, and not to solicit security.

" The person in your possession is Major John Andre, Adjutant General to the British Army.

" The influence of one commander in the army of his adversary is an advantage taken in war. A correspondence for this purpose I held; as confidential (in the present instance) with his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton.

" To favor it, 1 agreed to meet upon ground not within the posts of either army a person, who was to give me intelligence; I came up in the Yulture man-of-war for this effect, and was fetched by a boat from the ship to the beach. Being there, I was told that the approach of day would prevent my return, and that I must be concealed until the next night. I was in my regimentals, and had fairly risked my person.

"Against my stipulation, my intention, and without my knowledge beforehand, I was conducted within one of your posts. Your excellency may conceive my sensation on this occasion, and will imagine how much more must I have been affected by a refusal to reconduct me back the next night, as I had been brought. Thus become a prisoner, I had to concert my escape.