When Barclugh arrived at King’s Bridge, the time was midnight, and as he was muffled and his name was assumed he had little risk of meeting any person who would suspect his business.

He informed the sentinel that he must see the officer of the guard at once.

Upon the officer coming to the guard house, Barclugh requested that a note be sent without delay to General Clinton, the British Commander, as information of the first importance must be sent to headquarters.

So the officer despatched a horseman to the Beekman House at full speed with the following note:

“King’s Bridge, May 28, 1780.

“Sir: I have the honor to announce my arrival at King’s Bridge. I must be conducted to a safe retreat at once. My plans have carried but I am very much battered by travel and narrow escapes.

“(Signed) Pierre La Fitte.

“To General Clinton,
“Commander of H. M. Forces in America.
“Beekman House.”

Within three hours Major Andre arrived alone with an extra horse at Fort Knypthausen, the defense at King’s Bridge, and after a few subdued words with the officer of the guard, Barclugh was hurried to a horse. His former animal was turned loose on the road to find its way back to Verplancks Point. Thus no trace of Barclugh could be followed on account of the horse that he had ridden.

Not a word was spoken by Andre to Barclugh in the guard house. Andre ordered the officer to release the stranger. The officer told Barclugh that he was to leave the guard house and follow Major Andre until the horses were found, and to not speak until well out of hearing.

After Andre had travelled a few hundred yards away from Fort Knypthausen, Major Andre grasped Barclugh by the hand and said:

“Mr. Barclugh, I am glad to see you. How are you?”

“I am nearly dead, Major Andre,” replied Barclugh, “I have been captured and made prisoner three times. I was fired on last night and my horse was killed. But after a hard journey, I am here with my plans working.

“Arnold is committed to treason. I have the plans and strength of West Point, and a great amount of information for the Commissioners.”“Grand! Magnificent!!” exclaimed Andre. “We need a stroke like this to arouse the nation, and counteract the French coalition with America. I am devoted to your plan. I believe patents of nobility and grants of land are the only means that will subdue the Americans. Of course, results must first be brought about by the judicious use of gold to gain the leaders.

“However, Mr. Barclugh,” continued Andre gaily. “How is my friend, Mrs. Arnold? We used to have such gay times while in Philadelphia. Does she not sympathize with our social life? I have heard that after our evacuation of Philadelphia, the event was celebrated by a grand ball given by the Whig element, but, when it came to a list of those who should be invited, enough belles could not be found unless the Tories were included. So the whole list of ladies that attended our grand heraldic pageant, the Mischianza, had to be invited to be present to have a success. The Shippens, the Chews, the Bonds, the Redmans, the Willings and the whole list of our friends were there. Any of the ladies of the first circles who will not stand for the principles of aristocracy is a rara avis.”

“But you forget, Major Andre,” argued Barclugh, “that when you do find such a lady, you will have a gem of the finest brilliancy. Such a one will be a Whig out of principle, whereas a woman becomes a Tory out of sentiment,” as he recalled the argument between Mollie Greydon and Mrs. Arnold at the dinner party at Robert FitzMaurice’s.

Andre’s quarters were reached after the exchange of many pleasantries, and the soldier showed the financier a room and bed and gave the key to Barclugh to guard himself against any intrusion. Barclugh was now safely quartered where he could carry out his business with the utmost secrecy.

The remainder of that night and the next day were spent in bed by Barclugh. He was suffering severely from the fall off of his horse, the night before his arrival.

Major Andre had meals brought to his own room, and then quietly carried the meals to Barclugh himself.

After two days and two nights of rest and nursing and a supply of clean linen, Barclugh was sufficiently recovered to be escorted, in the dead of the night,—when nothing was astir in the old Dutch town but the solitary sentinel—to the Beekman mansion, the present location of 52nd Street and Broadway. Here were the quarters of General Clinton.

Major Andre had his permanent quarters at No. 1 Broadway, and when he and Barclugh walked out of the rear of these quarters a chaise and postillion were ready for the financier and his escort to be driven in haste to General Clinton.

Sir Henry Clinton, the Commander of the British forces in North America, spent much of his time at his country house, the former mansion of Dr. Beekman, and on the night in question he was anxiously waiting to greet Roderick Barclugh.

His career had been unfruitful of results in America thus far, as he had failed to aid Burgoyne, and, after evacuating Philadelphia, and retreating by land to New York, had suffered disaster at Monmouth; he had failed in his attack on Fort Moultrie, and now his whole career was centered upon the capture of West Point by intrigue.

Seated in one of the upper chambers of the Beekman house were Sir Henry Clinton, the Commander, Lord Carlisle and William Eden, M. P., Commissioners of the British government to America.

Lord Carlisle was the life-long friend of George Selwyn,—the wag of English society and court circles in London at this time. William Eden, a mere figure-head and courtier, was the intimate friend and political supporter of both Carlisle and Selwyn. Charles Fox was the brains and political force for this entire coterie, so that the presence of Carlisle in America on his mission is obvious, since Fox was irretrievably in debt to Carlisle and Selwyn. Furthermore, Fox had been the associate of Carlisle at Eton and they had grown up to be inseparable cronies; both were involved in all the noted gambling escapades at Brooks’ and Almack’s for the previous ten years.

Besides the Commander and the two Commissioners, the room contained a large round table and a sideboard well supplied with Madeira and claret. This chamber was used for councils of war by General Clinton. A map of the thirteen Colonies and the seaboard was lying carelessly on the table. Carlisle and Clinton were discussing the losses at the gaming table the night before and Eden was snuggling up to a newly-opened bottle of Madeira, while seated in a large arm-chair, enjoying a pipe of tobacco.

Barclugh entered the room, following Major Andre, and was received by the three very, very cordially, but with much formality, as they had met on serious business.

Here were five men authorized to treat with the Colonists in any manner that would win them back to the allegiance of the King. They could wage war, confiscate property, starve prisoners, offer rewards for treason, offer to concede every demand of the Colonies for their political welfare except independence. The utmost desire of the Commissioners was to effect some compromise with the leaders of the revolution and preserve allegiance to the mother country.

Roderick Barclugh was a very important personage in this council. He had done important service in Paris for the financial interests of the English government, and was now working out plans to stop the war for the benefit of England’s Exchequer, so that, whatever he said had much weight.

They all listened most intently to the recital of his advent into Philadelphia’s commercial circles,—because he had much capital at his command. How he became acquainted with the weakness of Arnold, through the oyster vender, Sven Svenson, and how he interested Arnold in privateering enterprises, all was heard with much interest. Then the final surrender of Arnold to the proposition of treason, for twenty thousand pounds sterling and a brigadier’s commission in the British army, was received with profound satisfaction.

When Barclugh told of his journey, his being captured three times and his interview with Washington, they listened with wonder; but when he told of the experience with the Connecticut dame at the Red Squirrel Inn and the wooden ham, the whole party laughed long and heartily.

At the conclusion of the narrative, Barclugh turned to General Clinton and said brusquely:

“General Clinton, Arnold has been paid part of his price, and I shall turn the military end of the business over to you. He will get his assignment to West Point and you must carry out the details of the plans already entered into. He will correspond with you under an assumed name, and his language will have the entente of carrying out some large commercial transactions.”

“Mr. Barclugh, the conception and execution of your plans have been magnificent, and I shall entrust the fulfilment of them to my able, young adjutant, Major Andre,” graciously assented General Clinton, as he turned with beaming eyes and countenance to his staff officer.

“But, gentlemen,” continued Barclugh, “my task at Philadelphia is but commenced. My desires are to finish my business here as soon as possible and return to start my next enterprise. I have the people and plans engaged to start a bank in this country. It is to be known as the Bank of North America. The model is to be our Bank of England, and we shall have the government of this country so closely allied with this institution that only safe measures of legislation will be allowed.

“Our great obstacle in overcoming the rebellion in our Colonies is the lack of any centralizing power to draw all the men of substance into one party and the poor devils into another. The reason is that there are no organizations to control the accumulation of property.

“Life and industry create property, and money has been sanctioned by custom to represent property; but an artificial system can be established to control money; therefore, whoever controls the money of a nation controls its life and industry.

“Commissary receipts answer as well for money now as gold, but if we have a corporation of leading men of substance who lose their individual interests in the policy of the bank, why, we can issue a dictum that gold only will be received as money; then the vital interests of thousands at once are merged into the centralized body.

“Let me establish a bank in Philadelphia, and I shall lay the foundations of a rich man’s party that will bring the Colonists to the institutions of the mother country more effectually than armies or navies ever can.

“If the armies will conquer and hold the valley of the Hudson, and if the military will conquer and hold the southern provinces, the power of money will take Philadelphia with no loss of life. Then the Americans will tire of the war and be glad to surrender to the fair offers of His Majesty’s Commissioners.”

Lord Carlisle rubbed his hands with an excited air of satisfaction and said enthusiastically:

“Mr. Barclugh, you have outlined the whole matter. Nothing more is necessary. Eden and I are mere figureheads here, waiting for a decisive blow, so that we can ply our vocation.

“The army must act now on your initiative and the results are sure to be forthcoming,” continued Carlisle.

“Gentlemen,” proposed Lord Carlisle, as he arose with his glass partly filled with Madeira, “success to Mr. Barclugh and his enterprise.”

They all drank their Madeira, standing, in honor of Barclugh.

The financier arose after the compliment paid to him and said modestly:

“Gentlemen, I thank you for your expression of regard.” Then, raising his glass he continued: “My best wishes for a speedy conclusion of war between Great Britain and her Colonies on constitutional grounds.”

The sentiment was received heartily by the others, and with glasses raised high all drank deeply as only Englishmen can drink,—with no “heel-taps.”

The conference being over, General Clinton took Barclugh by the arm and escorted him to another room for his arrangements to return to Philadelphia. The other three remained in the council chamber, to see that King George, the aristocracy and British sordidness, were well remembered with innumerable glasses of Madeira.

Lord Carlisle and William Eden were ordinary representatives of English hangers-on to royalty’s apron strings. Both were fat and lymphatic. No enterprise thrilled their souls. They were more than pleased to accept the established order of their condition so long as the government was good,—to them and theirs. They were as pliable as putty in the hands of the controlling influence of the monarchy. They wanted a fat living out of government with little service in return.

William Eden had his hobby, especially when a chance to tell it over his Madeira offered. Filling his glass, and turning to Carlisle, he stupidly rehearsed his theories:

“My Lord, you know I have very decided policy in regard to subduing the King’s enemies. (By Jove, that’s good Madeira.)

“To make it the interest of Congress to close with us (the King’s Commissioners) will be of the first consequence. (How’s that, Andre?)“Well, from the many conversations which I have held with the men of substance here in New York and from the nature of things, you know that we ought to propose a scheme of government (My Lord, a government as is a government), by a Parliament in the Colonies, composed of an order of nobles or patricians,—and a lower house of delegates from the different Colonial assemblies,—to be given to the provinces upon their return to allegiance to our King.”

“That’s it, that’s it, Eden, allegiance is what we want,” interjected Carlisle, enthusiastically.

Another glass of Madeira and Eden laboriously gathered up his avoirdupois and continued:

“That form of government would have a general influence upon the minds of those who now possess authority in America, as their present precarious power would be by this means secured to themselves and handed down to their descendants.”

“You have the idea all right, Mr. Eden,” said Carlisle, as he slyly winked at Andre, “but we must have some others to listen to us than these bottles of Madeira and Major Andre.

“Now, Eden,” continued Carlisle, “let’s have one glass to the words of Dr. Johnson:

“‘That patriotism is the first business of scoundrels.’”After this last appeal to Bacchus for inspiration, these two pillars of British statesmanship found that they needed the assistance of Major Andre to help them to their bed-chambers.

While the commissioners were exchanging empty platitudes, and drinking the wine furnished by the Crown, the real business of the evening was being concluded between General Clinton and Barclugh. As soon as General Clinton had led the way to an airy bed-chamber Barclugh began to unfold his plans:

“General Clinton, I must not delay here one minute longer than necessary, for Washington has this town filled with spies, and my detection here, at this house, means disaster.”

“How do you propose to return to Philadelphia?” asked General Clinton.

“My plan,” replied Barclugh concisely, “is to return as far as possible by water. I wish that you could put me aboard one of your small armed cruisers and send me down into one of those numerous inlets that are opposite Philadelphia on the Jersey coast. I can be furnished a small boat, and in case of capture I can pretend to have escaped from an English vessel. In any event I shall be taken to Philadelphia and turned over to Arnold.”

“That’s an excellent plan, Barclugh, and I have just the man to perform the task,” said Clinton, “Captain Sutherland of the Sloop Albatross. I shall send for him at once, and have you secreted on board to-night, and then you can rest from your former journey. I know that Washington’s spies are among us, and that you must be spirited away or you will surely be traced to us.”

While the two were waiting for Captain Sutherland, for whom an order had been despatched to report at the Beekman house for duty orders, Barclugh went over the details for the fruition of Arnold’s plot. The correspondence was to be conducted between Barclugh and Major Andre. Barclugh would sign as Gustavus; Andre would reply as John Anderson. Barclugh would turn over his letters to Arnold so that no traces could be found for detection. As Barclugh was known among his commercial associates to be in touch with merchants in New York, he could correspond with little suspicion.

When Captain Sutherland was announced in the office below, General Clinton brightened up and arose as he addressed his associate:

“Well, well, Mr. Barclugh, have you all of your effects ready to depart? I dislike to have you leave us so informally, but duty calls and there we are.”“Oh, I’m ever ready,” was Barclugh’s prompt reply. “My whole wardrobe and effects are on my person.”

Captain Sutherland was ordered to proceed down the coast of Jersey, and land his passenger on the Jersey coast opposite Philadelphia, but in no case to sacrifice the safety of the passenger. Obey the passenger as to the place and manner of landing, and in no case to let his presence on the ship be known. Not even Captain Sutherland could be informed as to the business or name of Barclugh; he was simply introduced as Mr. Gustavus.

The Captain of the Albatross and Barclugh mounted their horses and proceeded to Paules’ Hook landing in the early hours of the morning.

When Barclugh and his companion had reached the landing and were walking briskly to the ship’s boat, out of the darkness came the figure of a female, who walked up to the two and touched Barclugh on the arm.

Barclugh stopped in amazement and looked upon the creature inquiringly, and asked:

“My good woman, what can I do for you?”

“Nothing, sir,” sweetly replied the mysterious woman, “I was looking for my brother who was coming down to the ferry, and I thought that you were he,” she continued in the voice of a well-trained Indian girl.

Barclugh was in a hurry to embark and did not make any note of the incident, for he could not clearly see the face of his questioner in the darkness. He passed on and boarded the Albatross, as he thought to himself, to perfect his security.