He at once communicated, in his disguised writing and commercial phraseology, under the signature of Gusfavus, his plan to Sir Henry Clinton, through Major Andre, whom he addressed as "John Anderson. '1 That plan we have already alluded to. Sir Henry was delighted with it, and eagerly sought to carry it out. He was not yet fully aware of the real character behind " Gustavus," although for several months he had suspected it to be General Arnold. Unwilling to proceed further upon uncertainties, he proposed sending an oificer to some point near the American lines, who should have a personal interview with his correspondent. "Gustavus" consented, stipulating, however, that the messenger from Clinton should be Major Andre, his adjutantgeneralj

^Arnold and Andre agreed to meet at Dobbs's Ferry, twenty-two miles above New York, upon what was then known as neutral ground. The British water-guard prevented the approach of Arnold. Sir Henry, anxious to complete the arrangement, and to execute the plan, sent the 7 tcUure sloop of war up the river as far as Tarry Town, with Colonel Pvobinson, the owner of Beverly, who managed to communicate with Arnold. A meetiug of Arnold and Andre was arranged.^ On the morning of the 20th of August, the latter officer left New York, proceeded by land to Dobbs's Perry, and from thence to the Vulture, where it was expected the traitor would meet him that night. The wily general avoided the great danger. He repaired to the house of Joshua Hett Smith, a brother to the Tory chief justice of New York, and employed him to go to the Vulture at night, and bring a gentleman to the western shore of the Hudson.