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Primary sourcePainting1782

The Unfortunate Death of Major André

Jabez Goldar · 1782

A 1782 print depicting the execution of Major John André, the British officer caught carrying Arnold's plans.

André's execution, shown here, exposed Arnold's treason plot and forced Arnold to flee to the British.

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Engraved print titled 'The Unfortunate Death of Major André' framed by ornamental borders, with a caption reading 'Adjutant General to the English Army at Head Quarters, New York, Oct 2, 1780, who was found within the American Lines in the character of a Spy.' Central scene shows a hanged man on a gallows-like frame, with a ladder leaning against it, and a crowd of soldiers with rifles and a flag on the right. Engraver credits appear at the bottom corners. Title band at top reads 'Engraved for Barnard's New Complete & Authentic History of England.'
Jabez Goldar, The Unfortunate Death of Major André, from Barnard's New, Complete and Authentic History of England, 1782. Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this source

What it is

This engraving by Jabez Goldar appeared in Barnard's New, Complete and Authentic History of England, published in 1782. It shows the hanging of Major John André, described as Adjutant General to the English Army, who was found within American lines acting as a spy in October 1780. The print is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Why it matters

André was the British officer who secretly negotiated with Benedict Arnold and carried the papers detailing Arnold's plan to betray West Point. When André was captured, his execution exposed Arnold's treason and forced Arnold to flee to the British. This print shows the public consequences of the plot for André, since Arnold himself escaped.

Look closer

  • Why do you think the print shows a crowd of soldiers watching the execution?
  • What does the caption tell us about how André was officially viewed?
  • Why might Arnold's escape and André's execution be remembered so differently?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Benedict Arnold on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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