Order for Execution of John Andre

Following an inquiry into the facts of Benedict Arnold’s meetings and discussions with John Andre, the examining officers made their recommendation (depicted here) to General Washington: “That Major Andre Adjutant General to the British Army ought to be considered as a spy from the Enemy and that agreeable to the law and usage of nations it is their opinion he ought to suffer death.”

General Washington reluctantly agreed.  As noted in this general order of the day: “The Commander in Chief directs the execution of the above sentence in the usual way [that is, by hanging] this afternoon at five o’clock precisely.”

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Credits

General Washington’s Papers, Library of Congress.