After giving a certificate of facts tending, as he supposed, to exculpate the prisoner, exhausting his powers of reasoning on the case, and appealing to the humanity of the American general, he sought to intimidate that officer, by stating the situation of many of the most distinguished individuals of South Carolina, who had forfeited their lives, but had hitherto been spared through the clemency of the British general.

This clemency, he said, could no longer be extended to them should Major Andre suffer.
It may well be supposed that the interposition of Arnold could have no influence on Washington.

He conveyed Mrs.Arnold to her husband in New York,[46] and also transmitted his clothes and baggage, for which he had written; but, in every other respect, his letters, which were unanswered, were also unnoticed.
[Footnote 46: General Lafayette mentions a circumstance not previously known to the author, which serves to illustrate the character of Washington, and to mark the delicacy of his feelings towards even the offending part of that sex which is entitled to all the consolation and protection man can afford it.
The night after Arnold's escape, when his letter respecting Andre was received, the general directed one of his aids to wait on Mrs.Arnold, who was convulsed with grief, and inform her that he had done every thing which depended on him to arrest her husband, but that, not having succeeded, it gave him pleasure to inform her that her husband was safe.

It is also honourable to the American character, that during the effervescence of the moment, Mrs.Arnold was permitted to go to Philadelphia, to take possession of her effects, and to proceed to New York under the protection of a flag, without receiving the slightest insult.] The mingled sentiments of admiration and compassion excited in every bosom for the unfortunate Andre, seemed to increase the detestation in which Arnold was held.

"Andre," said General Washington in a private letter, "has met his fate with that fortitude which was to be expected from an accomplished man and a gallant officer; but I am mistaken if _at this time_ Arnold is undergoing the torments of a mental hell.