[Illustration: George The Third] PROCEEDINGS OF A Board of General Officers, Held by Order of his Excellency General Washington, commander in chief of the army of the United States of America, respecting Major Andre, Adjutant General of the British army, September the 29th, 1780, at Tappan, in the State of New York. PRESENT, _Major General Greene, President, Major General Lord Stirling, Major General St. Clair, Major General The Marquis de la Fayette, Major General Howe, Major General The Baron de Steuben, Brigadier General Parsons, Brigadier General Clinton, Brigadier General Knox, Brigadier General Glover, Brigadier General Patterson, Brigadier General Hand, Brigadier General Huntington, Brigadier General Starke, John Lawrence, Judge-Advocate General._ Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British army was brought before the Board, and the following letter from General Washington, to the Board, dated Head Quarters, Tappan, September 29th, 1780, was laid before them and read. _Gentlemen,_ Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British army, will be brought before you for your examination. He came within our lines in the night, on an interview with Major General Arnold, and in an assumed character; and was taken within our lines, in a disguised habit, with a pass under a feigned name, and with the inclosed papers concealed upon him. After a careful examination, you will be pleased, as speedily as possible, to report a precise state of his case, together with your opinion of the light in which he ought to be considered, and the punishment that ought to be inflicted. The Judge Advocate will attend to assist in the examination, who has sundry other papers relative to this matter, which he will lay before the Board. _I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and humble servant,_ G. WASHINGTON. _The Board of General Officers convened at Tappan._ The names of the officers composing the Board were read to Major Andre, and on his being asked whether he confessed the matters contained in the letter from his Excellency General Washington to the Board, or denied them, he said, in addition to his letter to General Washington, dated Salem, the 24th September, 1780, (which was read to the board, and acknowledged by Major Andre, to have been written by him,) which letter is as follows: Salem, 24th Sept. 1780. SIR, _What I have as yet said concerning myself, was in the justifiable attempt to be extricated; I am too little accustomed to duplicity to have succeeded._