Home / Bolton, Robert Jr. A History of the County of Westchester, from its First Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. I. New York: Alexander S. Gould, 1848. / Passage

A History of the County of Westchester, Vol. I

Bolton, Robert Jr. A History of the County of Westchester, from its First Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. I. New York: Alexander S. Gould, 1848. 267 words

Perceiving the mischievous tendency of the papers, and knowing them to have been copied by Arnold, at the same moment that he sent Andre under guard to West Point, he dispatched an express with the papers to meet General Washington, tlien supposed to be on the road returning from his interview with the French commanders at Hartford. Two reasons were subsequently assigned by Jameson, for a course which seemed so extraordinary to every body else; first, that he thought the affair was an imposition by the British, intending to destroy the confidence of the Americans in Arnold ; secondly, that, not knowing the Vulture was up the river, he supposed Arnold could not get to the enemy, without passing through the American out-posts on the lines, where he would be taken.

Major Tallniarlge, next in command under Jameson was absent on dnty below White Plains when Andre was brought in, and did not return till evening. He was filled with astonishment when Jameson related what had hapjaened, and could not refrain from expressing his surprise at tiie course that had been pursued. To his mind the case was so clear, or at all events was attended by such peculiar circumstances, as not only to justify but require prompt, bold, and energetic measures on the part of Jameson. In short he declared his suspicions of Arnold, and ofl^ered to take on himself the entire responsibility of proceeding upon that ground. To this idea Jameson would not listen- He was agitated and irresolute at first, but finally refused to sanction any measures, which should imply a distrust of Arnold.