secured and conveyed him to the commanding
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 States rescued from
impending danger:

_Resolved_, That Congress have a high sense of the virtuous and
patriotic conduct of the said John Paulding, David Williams, and
Isaac Van Wart. In testimony whereof,

_Ordered_, That each of them receive annually, out of the public
treasury, 200 dollars in specie, or an equivalent in the current
money of these States, during life; and that the Board of War
procure for each of them a silver medal, on one side of which
shall be a shield with this inscription: "Fidelity," and on the
other the following motto: "Vincit amor patriae," and forward them
to the commander-in-chief, who is requested to present the same,
with a copy of this resolution, and the thanks of Congress for
their fidelity, and the eminent service they have rendered their
country.

Friday, November 3, 1780.

_____

_General Washington to the President of Congress._

To Robinson House, In The Highlands,
THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. September 26, 1780.

Sir:
- - - - -

In the mean time, a packet had arrived from Lieutenant-Colonel
Jameson, announcing the capture of a John Anderson, who was
endeavouring to go to New York with several interesting and
important papers, all in the handwriting of General Arnold. This
was also accompanied with a letter from the prisoner, avowing
himself to be Major John Andre, adjutant-general of the British
army, relating the manner of his capture, and endeavouring to
show that he did not come under the description of a spy. From
the several circumstances, and information that the general
(Arnold) seemed to be thrown into some degree of agitation on
receiving a letter, a little time before he went down from (p. 039)
his quarters, I was led to conclude immediately, that he had
heard of Major Andre's captivity, and that he would, if possible,
escape to the enemy; and I accordingly took such measures as
appeared the most probable, to apprehend him. But he had embarked
in a barge, a