America’s victory is in danger! Major John Andre, a British spy, and Benedict Arnold, an American traitor and commander of the West Point fort, have formed a treason plot. Their plans were for Benedict Arnold to hand over West Point’s fortification plans to Major John Andre in return for 10,000 pounds sterling. The reason West Point is so important is because it protects the Hudson River, which is one of the only ways of transporting goods and supplies from the northern to the southern colonies. If the British could control the river, than they could control the colonies. Joshua Hett Smith also played an important role in the treason plot. He was, of course, a loyalist who let Andre and Arnold use his house for their meetings. At these meetings, Benedict Arnold told Major John Andre that he would replace one of the metal links that blocked the Hudson River with rope and spread his troops out so it would be easier for the British to get through.

Later, Andre was caught on the Tarrytown road by John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wort and was found with the plans hidden in his boots.  The plans were coded using numbers and it also came with a map of the fort’s weaknesses. Andre was held prisoner at the Old ’76 House. Andre and Smith were put on trial at the Old Dutch Church in Tappan. Major Andre was found guilty but Smith, a loyalist, was not. Benedict Arnold escaped on the Vulture, a British warship, with the help of Smith and was never caught. Later, Arnold fought with the British, against the Americans. Major John Andre has been hung as a spy. We’re very lucky that Andre was caught, because otherwise we’d have a much bigger chance of being defeated in the war. Hopefully this won’t ruin our plan to win this war!