Major Lee was naturally shocked at these suspicions, and suggested that they were an invention of the enemy.  Washington admitted the plausibility of the suggestion, but remarked that he had the same confidence in Arnold, a few days before, that he now placed in the persons accused.

After some further conversation, Washington disclosed a project, which he had maturely revolved in his own mind.  “I have sent for you,” he remarked to Lee, “to learn if you have in your corps any individual capable of undertaking a delicate and hazardous enterprise.  Whoever comes forward on this occasion will lay me under great obligations personally; and, in behalf of the United States, I will reward him amply.  No time is to be lost.  He must proceed, if possible, this night.  My object is to probe to the bottom the affecting suspicions suggested by the papers you have just read—­to seize Arnold, and, by getting him, to save Andre.  While my emissary is engaged in preparing for the seizure of Arnold, the agency of others can be traced; and the timely delivery of Arnold to me, will possibly put it in my power to restore the amiable and unfortunate Andre to his friends.  My instructions are ready, in which you will find express orders, that Arnold is not to be hurt; but that he be permitted to escape, if it can be prevented only by killing him, as his public punishment is the only object in view.  This you can not too forcibly press upon the person who may engage in the enterprise; and this fail not to do.  With my instructions, are two letters, to be delivered as ordered, and here are some guineas to defray expenses.”

Lee replied, that, as the first step to the enterprise was pretended desertion, it would be difficult to find a commissioned officer, who would undertake it.  He knew, however, a sergeant-major of the cavalry, named Champe, who was in all respects qualified for the delicate and adventurous project.  Champe was a native of Loudon county, in Virginia, about twenty years of age.  He had enlisted in 1776; was rather above the common size, full of bone and muscle, with a saturnine countenance, grave, thoughtful, and taciturn; of tried courage and inflexible perseverance.

Washington was satisfied with this description, and exclaimed that Champe was the very man for the enterprise.  Lee promised to persuade him to undertake it, and, taking leave of the general, returned to the camp of the light corps, which he reached about eight o’clock at night.  Sending instantly for the serjeant-major, he informed him of the project of the commander-in-chief; and urged upon him, that, by succeeding in the capture and safe delivery of Arnold, he would not only gratify his general in the most acceptable manner, but would be hailed as the avenger of the reputation of the army, stained by a foul and wicked perfidy; and, what could not but be highly pleasing, he would be the instrument of saving the life of Major Andre.