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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC05533.01 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1780 |
| Title | John André to Joseph Chew |
| Date | 18 June 1780 |
| Author | André, John (1750-1780) |
| Recipient | Chew, Joseph |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Reports that Benedict Arnold, "the Rebel General," is to take command in Connecticut and that he is expected to leave from West Point to go to New Haven daily. Asks Chew to send spies to watch his travels. On verso is a note dated 19 June by Chew stating that he has sent two men in the direction given by Major André and details what they will be paid for the service. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War Military History Revolutionary War General Spying West Point (US Military Academy) Continental Army |
| People | André, John (1750-1780) Chew, Joseph (fl. 1780) Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801) |
| Theme | The American Revolution |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | John André was the aide-de-camp of Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander-in-chief. He was involved in Benedict Arnold's treason plot to surrender West Point to the British and was captured by the American forces and hanged as a spy in Tappan, New York, on October 2, 1780. Many on both sides felt that Arnold should have been the one to die for treason and that André just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but Washington had no choice but to punish him as a spy. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Joseph Chew's discussion of a letter from Benedict Arnold |
| Transcript | Show/hide |