ARBUTHNOT, MARRIOT
military law, was sentenced to be hung as a
spy. Washington then refused the prisoner’s
appeal that he be shot instead, to die the
death of a soldier. To comply would cast
doubt on the legality of his prior conviction.
However, Andre so favorably impressed his
captors that many officers felt he ought to be
spared. General Clinton was likewise eager
to save the life of his young aide, and he of-
fered to exchange him for any American
prisoner in his grasp. Washington would hear
none of it. Unless Clinton handed over
Arnold—something the British commander
was clearly unwilling to do—then Andre
must die. On October 2, 1780, the young En-
glishman was led to the gallows and exe-
cuted. He behaved with his accustomed
serenity, declaring, “I pray you to bear me
witness that I meet my fate like a brave
man.” The ignominious passing of this tal-
ented, amiable individual was much regret-
ted by both sides. In recognition of his sacri-
fice to England, a monument was erected in
Andre’s honor at Westminster Abbey. Several
years later, in 1821, his remains were rein-
terred at the same spot. He was much more a
victim than a villain and ended up wearing a
noose better intended for Benedict Arnold.
See also
Arnold, BenedictBibliography
Baber, Jean. The World of Major Andre: An Accom-
plished Man and a Gallant Officer.Fort Washing-
ton, PA: Copy Factory, 1994; Decker, Malcolm. Ten
Days of Infamy: An Illustrated History of the
Arnold-Andre Conspiracy.New York: Arno Press,
1969; Duncan, Lois. Major John Andre: Brave
Enemy.New York: Putnam, 1969; Flexner, Thomas.
The Traitor and the Spy: Benedict Arnold and John
Andre.Boston: Little, Brown, 1975; Hagman, Harlan
L. Nathan Hale and John Andre: Reluctant Heroes
of the American Revolution.Interlaken, NY: Empire
State Books, 1992; Hatch, Robert M. Major John
Andre: A Gallant in Spy’s Clothing. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 1986; Lodge, Henry C. Andre’s
Journal: An Authentic Record of the Movement and
Engagements of the British Army in America from
June 1777 to November 1778.2 vols. Boston: Biblio-
phile Society, 1903; Nathan, Adele. Major John
Andre: Gentleman Spy.New York: F. Watts, 1969;
Speidel, Judithe D. “The Artistic Spy: A Note on the
Talents of Major Andre.” New York History 58
(1987): 394–406; Vivian, Frances. “John Andre as a
Young Officer.” Journal of the Society for Army His-
torical Research40, nos. 61, 62 (1962): 24–32, 61–77.Arbuthnot, Marriot
(ca. 1711–January 31, 1794)
English Admiral
A
rbuthnot was a coarse, blustering com-
mander for the Royal Navy during the
American Revolution whose attitude
was inimical toward joint army-navy opera-
tions. His vacillating leadership severely com-
promised British naval superiority on several
occasions and is ample proof of the Royal
Navy’s decline since the Seven Years’ War.
Marriot Arbuthnot was born in Weymouth,
England, around 1711. Little is known of his
parentage or upbringing, but he apparently
joined the Royal Navy in 1729. He rose to lieu-
tenant in 1732 and made captain 15 years later.
During the Seven Years’ War (1755–1763) he
commanded the ship-of-the-line HMS Portland
and was present during the Royal Navy victory
over the French fleet at Quiberon Bay on No-
vember 2, 1759. Soon after, Arbuthnot shifted
his flag to the HMS Cumberland,which he
commanded until being tasked as head of the
naval base at Portsmouth, England, in 1771.
Four years later, he transferred as naval com-
missioner at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and also
served as lieutenant governor of that province.