He had all their usual charming qualities in somewhat more than the average degree -- but no original parts of any important interest that very searching inquiry has ever disclosed. His sole claim to distinction -- aside from his part in an infamous transaction -- is that he was put to one of the most righteous and exemplary deaths ever administered, in a highly dramatic conjunction of circumstances, commiserated and mourned by great-hearted foemen whose ruin and enslavement by the vilest methods he had plotted. The spot where Andre was captured at Tarrytown was not marked by any public memorial of the event until 1853. For many years previously sporadic efforts had been made to arouse interest, but without substantial result. In the winter of 1852-53 a " Monument Association to the Captors of Major Andre" was organized in the village, the most prominent promoters of the movement being Amos

494:

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

R. (Mark and N. Holmes Odell. The locality where the capture occurred was at that time owned by William Taylor, a colored man and ex-slave, and he donated sufficient land for the purpose. The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1853, with much local ceremony, by Colonel James A. Hamilton, a son of Alexander Hamilton. The resulting monument, consisting of a base and shaft of conventional pattern, was < nt from Sing Sing marble, material and labor being I ho uift of the officials of the State Prison. The inscription was written by the lion. James Iv. Paulding, ex-secretary of the navy and the intimate friend of Washington Irving. On the 7th of October, 1853, the monument was dedicated. Governor Horatio Seymour and staff, many distinguished guests, and a great concourse of people being present. After an appropriate address by Governor Seymour, the oration of the day was delivered by Henry J.