[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] BISTORT OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY. Headquarb i-with all his i-and Arnold's |>ass iutu the bargain. I do not recollect to have Been a true statement of this business in any history that ha* fallen into my hands. If my memory serve* me Ar-nold solicited and obtained the command of West Point in consequence of his being an invalid, and the reason why his negociations'were not com-pleted by flag or truce, I will state what Genera] Washington told the French embassador Luzerne. He stated on his route to Hartford, that he dined with General Arnold at Haverstraw, at Joshua Smith's, where Arnold and Andre met. General Arnold showed him a letter from Gen-eral Robinson directed to General Israel Putnam, or Officer Commanding West Point, requesting an interview by flag on business of the first im-portance to the United States. General Arnold asked Gen' Washington if he should go and hear w hat lie hail to say. General Washington re-plied that it would be very improper for the Commander in chief of a post to meet anybody himself. He could send a trusty baud if he thought proper. But he added, ' I had no more suspicion of Arnold than 1 had of myself.' This accounts for Major Andre's failure to negociate by flag and his subsequent movements. I have thus complied w ith your request, giving you such facts, viz. : what I had from the mouth of Major Andre and what I heard Gen1 Washington tell the French Minister soon